Politics

Trump Tax Plan Could Reduce 2017 Charitable Giving by Up to $26.1B
November 10, 2016 at 11:28 am

As America alternately celebrates and copes with the results of the country's most grueling and contentious presidential election since its birth, nonprofits are already looking ahead. Yesterday, we talked immediate reaction to a Donald Trump presidency. Today, we're looking at the numbers. They don't look great...

Philanthropy in the Age of Trump: 6 Predictions
November 10, 2016 at 8:00 am

A few weeks ago I told a friend of mine, jittery about the prospects of a Trump win, to “take an Ambien and call me in November, after you wake up in the second Clinton era.” I mention that because, clearly, my predictions aren’t worth very much. But, hey, the same goes for so many…

What Does the Election Mean for Nonprofits?
November 9, 2016 at 11:04 am

No matter your politics, one thing is certain: The role of philanthropy in education, social services, health care and nonprofits across the board will be greater than ever. It will take years to see where government is headed and if that direction is effective. And in the meantime there remains significant challenges and issues to address...

However You Feel About Trump, It's Time to Get Back to Our Work
November 9, 2016 at 10:03 am

Each and every day, I get to work with people who believe in diversity, saving the planet, curing diseases, improving quality of life. I get to agonize over copywriting, figure out statistics, devise strategy. I get to laugh about success and cry about failure. I get to say the names of people I help. Regardless of who sits in the White House, we still get to do our work...

We're Going to Be OK (Despite This Election)
November 8, 2016 at 9:09 am

If you’re like me, you’re worried for our country, for your family, for your neighbors, for the environment, for fellow human beings in other parts of the world, for the strength of our democracy, and for the Oxford Comma. Seriously, this election is terrifying and stressful, like planning a golf tournament fundraiser, but worse. Depending…

Philanthropy Isn't the Answer to Bad Government
November 7, 2016 at 10:16 am

Declining state revenue in the face of growing needs in education, health, child welfare and infrastructure is leading many to look to philanthropy to fill these gaps. As the Houston Chronicle editorial board recently noted in urging the Houston Independent School District to accept $7.5 million from the Kinder Foundation, "Philanthropic gifts are needed in…

This Nonprofit Is One of Michelle Obama's D.C. Legacies
November 1, 2016 at 10:11 am

Sarah Holway awoke one morning to a surprise: The art teacher’s Washington, D.C. school had been selected to help first lady ­Michelle Obama break ground later that day on a vegetable garden on the South Lawn of the White House. Holway was running Bancroft Elementary’s school garden, and she spent much of her time convincing…

WikiLeaks Shows Clinton Foundation Donors, Personal Cash Overlap
October 28, 2016 at 10:33 am

A newly revealed memo from a former aide to Bill Clinton detailed substantial overlap between donors to the nonprofit Clinton Foundation and the former president's personal financial activities, a $30 million-plus enterprise described in the memo as "Bill Clinton Inc." Money managers UBS and Barclays, mining giant BHP, and the for-profit educational company Laureate International…

Clinton Still Hasn't Faced Foundation Pay-to-Play Questions Head On
October 21, 2016 at 8:00 am

Hillary Clinton has gotten very lucky in the 2016 presidential election, on few items as clearly as the Clinton Foundation. And her spell of good luck continued again Wednesday night at the third presidential debate. Moderator Chris Wallace pointed out that Clinton had pledged to avoid appearances of conflict of interest between the Clinton Foundation…

Make It Personal: 6 Fundraising Lessons From the Election Cycle
October 14, 2016 at 10:11 am

The present political campaign season offers a number of lessons for the astute nonprofit fundraising professional. Although the heated and sometimes virulent rhetoric political campaigns employ may often seem out of bounds and incongruous with nonprofit charitable work, the strategies on which these campaigns rely for procuring financial support from donors are plainly effective...