Economic Turmoil and Change

GIA board member John Killacky, San Francisco Foundation.

Three senators introduced legislation Tuesday intended to encourage foundations to give away more of their money. The measure would change the way foundations are taxed on their investment income, replacing the current two-tiered system with a single tax rate. Foundations … Continue reading →

This from the November 5, 1999 New York Times. ”Today Congress voted to update the rules that have governed financial services since the Great Depression and replace them with a system for the 21st century,” Treasury Secretary Lawrence H. Summers … Continue reading →

In seeking a competitive edge, several states are incorporating arts and cultural exchanges in their economic development approaches. The arts are a potent force in the economic life of cities and rural areas nationwide. Many states have invested in the … Continue reading →

There seems to be a spate of news about what’s selling well during the recession, including Candy NPR News Romantic Fiction Broadway shows Tattoos And, of course in addition to the obvious, what’s down: Shark attacks Urban Crime

The report, released this month by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, argued that foundations should meet a handful of benchmarks to practice “philanthropy at its best,” including making half their annual grants to “lower-income communities, communities of color and … Continue reading →

A new report, Patterns of Singularity is discussed on the Jewish Philanthropy.com blog. The report examines Jewish philanthropy during the current recession. Read More or download Patterns of Singularity

Many sectors of the economy have slowed to a crawl, and law firms are finding their associates with time on their hands. It’s a blessing for nonprofits, who face their own financial challenges, that many firms are stepping up their … Continue reading →

I attended a performance of Merchant of Venice at Seattle Shakespeare Company this weekend, and excellent satisfying performance, btw. The group has taken a wonderful and direct approach to dealing with reduced funding in the recession. Right after the curtain … Continue reading →

Paul Brest on Huffington Post. “In the last post, I described NCRP’s prescriptions for foundation governance in Criteria for Philanthropy at its Best®. Here I’ll discuss its prescriptions for grantmaking practices themselves. I will also discuss NCRP’s literally unbelievable response … Continue reading →