Should Donors Fund Projects or Give General Operating Support?

In the essay, Brest asserts that the appropriate form of support ultimately depends on the degree to which the funder's goals align with those of the organization. A close alignment of goals and timelines may suggest general operating support, while a divergence in a significant number of the organization's activities may indicate that funding a project is more appropriate. He argues that there should be a presumption favoring general support, but that philanthropic support is only a means to the end of achieving social impact. Ultimately, he says, donors must be guided by that, above all, in deciding how to fashion their support.