The Greenlining Institute has a study on foundation giving and race that plays a similar role. Again, you may agree or disagree with the study's findings or its intent, but the fact is, someone is watching.
Joel Fleishman's new book on foundations as "the great American secret" has garnered a lot of press. He calls for foundations to be more open about who they are and what they do. Transparency as an industry-wide practice or value won't just happen. In fact, institutional transparency requires a two-way mirror. Yes, there is a lot that the foundations can do to be more open. At the same time, the public needs to let foundations know that we do care, that we recognize our role in the 'public trust' equation, and that we are watching.
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I am learning a lot about the importance of foundation (and NGO) transparency while here in Guatemala studying the philanthropic sector. Transparency is the antidote to the corruption that runs rampant here. The question is how much state regulation to impose in developing countries (to ensure reporting and transparency without being burdensome) and/or how much should rest on self-regulation schemes. Thanks for the great post (and blog!)
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