An article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy may indicate a change in a 20-year trend of measuring nonprofit performance. The “effective philanthropy” movement took a small hit when the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation announced it was closing down its eight-year, $12-million funding of projects to “get donors to rely as much on their heads as their hearts.” Their funding for Charity Navigator, GiveWell and GuideStar ended shortly after the conclusion of the study. As you may know, these organizations are three of the most visible and successful tools for public information about financial performance and social impact of nonprofit organizations. While Larry Kramer, the President of the Hewlett Foundation,…

In New York’s Central Park you can choose to walk the meandering trails or the circular paths like the one taking you around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. Walkers on the first lap barely notice each other. If you pass on the second lap you nod and should you be serious enough to be taking the third lap you may actually catch a small wave or smile. By then you have something in common. Not quite friends but if you see each other tomorrow morning you’ll not have to start over. You might even speak. New York Times columnist David Brooks writes about the three rings of relationships we have…

                      Risk   Entrepreneurs are often described (mistakenly) as heroic risk-takers not calculating before acting. Nothing could be further from the truth. They work hard reducing as much risk as possible but having done that they are willing to launch. This is why I love watching the process of true entrepreneurs eliminating risk to give themselves the best chance of succeeding. Being a part of their identifying an opportunity is good work.  Two friends having built a successful company are now turning their attention to a complex, important issue in our community: access to healthcare. They want to do something…

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them…” Matthew 6:9 During a meeting last month, one of my friends quoted President Obama, “The biggest deficit that we have in our society and in the world right now is an empathy deficit.” None of us disagreed or questioned him. After all, with every horrifying situation in the world how could anyone doubt what we need is more empathy? What is the first question asked of victims of disasters like hurricanes and fires, losing a child, or escaping a mass shooting in a school? “How did you feel?” The reporter is working hard to get to the human side of…

  Our church has several of the ATM-like machines for donations and offerings very discreetly placed in high traffic areas.  There are no lighted signs flashing an update in giving like we have in Texas announcing the latest lottery payout. In fact, years ago when surveys revealed visitors and members alike were intimidated by taking collections during the service, many congregations eliminated the practice completely. It was just another instance of  micro-aggression making it necessary to keep worship a safe space. While I don’t have up to date accounts for what percentage of the church’s giving comes through these kiosks, I do know there was a time when they were…