The way nonprofits uphold monied influence is, unfortunately, by replicating hierarchies of elite influence and decision making. In so doing we short-sightedly gut our own populist power bases and, as a result and not coincidentally, provide unimpeded avenues for the domination of public policy by class-based power.
The Third Sector as a Protective Layer for Capitalism
One reason capitalism does not collapse, despite its many weaknesses and valiant opposition movements, is the nonprofit sector.
Battered Agencies
“Battered agencies” is a term that can describe local or indigenous agencies striving to serve low-income communities that are hindered by the same types of risk factors facing the families they seek to help. Although this article was first published by NPQ in 2006, it seems even more relevant today as social safety net organizations are stressed by the demand for service and the demands of regulators.
Class Consciousness Matters
Despite our national self-delusions, it is clear that class matters—just as race, gender, and other accidents of history matter—in shaping the opportunities and life experiences of Americans.
Diving into the Power Pool
Floyd Hunter developed a discipline for mapping who might be in these pivotal roles, and published his findings in the 1953 book Community Power Structure: A Study of Decision Makers. It and other work that flows from it provide a way for nonprofits to study their own environments to identify power actors.
Good Intentions: The Dilemma of Outside-In Help for Inside-Out Change
Philanthropic attempts to become more “strategic” may come at a price. Last week we printed Printice Zinn’s provocative “Strategic Philanthropy: Who Wins and Loses?” and we thought that we would follow that up with this classic article from the NPQ archives on a related topic. Who decides how money should be used to better a community?
Philanthropy and Social Welfare Policy: Observations from a Painting by Alice Neel
In a painting worth at least the proverbial thousand words, Alice Neel offers any number of trenchant insights into the often hidden dynamics of philanthropic social welfare investigation.
Which Light is Right? The Impending Leadership Deficit Crisis
Whether you believe recent alarms about an impending leadership crisis or not, the Lights point out important considerations that should engage nonprofit leaders now.
How to (Unwittingly) Perpetuate Class-Based Power
These 14 practices are object lessons to convince organizational development consultants to do no harm to the communities served by their nonprofit clients. And if they inspire some greater ability to laugh at ourselves along the way, so much the better.
Gates Foundation 2.0: Soon to be Market Tested Near You
Accolades for the Gates Foundation and the contributions of Warren Buffett may be warranted, but they also want to pass over vital questions around impact and accountability.
The Buffet Gift – Now What?
Philantrhopist Lewis Cullman encourages others to extend the power of their money for social change through active peer influence.
Silver Linings: Poverty Growth Creates Fulfilling Middle Class Occupations
Phil takes a ride he’ll never forget and learns that some people’s good works are other people’s “sheltered workshops.”