Charles Murray’s “three laws of social programs” discusses how social programs can “backfire,” but some of these “laws” are not immutable and can be addressed with better program design.
What Do We Know about What Makes Programs Fail or Succeed?
Gates Foundation Announces 2012 District-Charter Compacts
The Gates Foundation awarded seven grants totaling nearly $25 million for collaboration between charter schools and traditional public schools, but points of tension remain.
Reputation Institute Ranks Corporations on Social Responsibility
Microsoft, Google and the Walt Disney Company topped the Reputation Institute’s list of corporations with the best reputations for corporate social responsibility.
Go Armey! Former Tea Party Leader Decries Campaign Donor Secrecy
Even the Tea Party’s all-but-libertarian former FreedomWorks chairman Dick Armey is appalled by massive secret campaign donations. “I have never seen anything like this before,” he says.
Record Number of Journalists Imprisoned in 2012
The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that the number of journalists imprisoned worldwide has reached its highest point since it began tracking the issue in 1990.
White House Analysis of Charitable Deduction Options: A Beltway Punch and Judy Show
The charitable tax deduction cap debate feels like a Punch and Judy show, but nonprofits must be aware of scenarios that could emerge and, ultimately, they must be prepared to take a stance on the budget.
Reductionism in the So-Called Science of Giving?
Oxford University researcher Toby Ord and organizations like GiveWell seem to have efficiency and impact in charitable giving down to a science, but isn’t there more to giving than what’s measurable?
What Will (and Won’t) the IRS Be Tackling on Tax-Exempts in 2013?
Nonprofit readers should know what the Internal Revenue Service, and particularly its exempt organization (EO) division, will—and will not—be taking up in the coming year.
Unions Lament Mich. “Right to Work” Law; What Impact Will It Have?
After a bitter debate that shows no sign of stopping, Michigan has become the first “blue” state to adopt the “right to work” law. What impact will this have on unions and workers?
Rural Philanthropy: Lost in the MetroNation Wave?
In light of the results of the recent presidential election, some see rural America’s power as declining. Will foundations focus on metropolitan areas even more than in the past?
Purpose Prize Honors 60+ Innovators
Encore.org has announced the winners of the 2012 Purpose Prize awards, which come with $100,000 grants to social innovators who are over the age of 60.
The Morphing of Super PAC Lobbying: From Election to Issue
Is the movement of super PACs into policy lobbying a good thing or a further step down the path of unleashing big money into a process of buying political influence?