PHILANTHROPY IN HARD TIMES
Submitted by Tommer on May 12, 2009
Paul Brest and Hal Harvey in the Fenton Report:
First, we need to stay focused on the commitments and long-term strategies we have already adopted. Whether we are working to improve the life chances of disadvantaged children, mitigate the catastrophic consequences of climate change, or alleviate poverty in Africa, these problems will be with us over many economic cycles. They can be solved only through perseverance, and this argues against switching directions just to address short-term crises. That doesn’t entail being hard-hearted toward those in immediate need, but does require some hard thinking about the consequences of diverting significant attention and resources from long-term goals.