November 28, 2012; Source: USA TODAY
The news abounds with warnings about the devastating effects of a really big Powerball win. Witness this statement from one former child services social worker who became a winner: “I had to endure the greed and the need that people have, trying to get you to release your money to them. That caused a lot of emotional pain. These are people who you’ve loved deep down, and they’re turning into vampires trying to suck the life out of me.”
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Yikes!
So what does this have to do with nonprofits? Well, that really big grant you dream about may have some of the same effects, according to “Gift Horse or Trojan Horse: A Thorough Physical Is Critical.” This timeless article by the esteemed Clara Miller, formerly of the Nonprofit Finance Fund and now at the F.B. Heron Foundation, warns us of the sometimes-devastating mission- and sustainability-sucking effects of a really large grant.
That said, we think we could handle it so if you have a chunk of change, so send it along! –Ruth McCambridge