Thursday, October 18, 2012

Rules, Tools, and More - a reading list

I'm moderating a panel at Stanford with Beth Kanter and KD Paine on their new book, Measuring the Networked Nonprofit. October 18, 2012 (Today) - 5 pm - open and free to all. It will be recorded and available from Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society for those who can't be there.

(If you tweet me questions I'll try to work them in - @p2173)

Jonathan Peizer, who knows as much as anyone about ICT and nonprofits, has a new, free manual out for both grantseekers and grant reviewers regarding technology grants.

Cole Wilbur, former President of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, has a new book out with Fred Setterberg, called Giving with Confidence. It's a humble, straightforward guide based on decades of experience in family philanthropy and the world of institutional foundations. Without any of the jargon, the book makes it clear that heart, head, patience, and personal connection remain key - no matter how shiny the gadgets get.

Dan Pallota's book, Charity Case, ought to be raising more of a stir than it seems to have, simply for it's typically blunt and controversial recommendations regarding the sector and policy and politics. Heading into 2013, when charitable regulations will be on the agendas (not just the minds) of Congress, it's past time to think hard about where and how we use private resources for public good. It's the focus of my work at Stanford (#recodegood) and we need a livelier debate about these issues than we've been having.


1 comment:

Unknown said...

My reason for ignoring Pallota is that he took such outrageous advantage of earlier successes with -thons, so much so that the media (NYT, etc. -- reputable) made it a cover story. It amounted to a scandal. Then he writes and writes and speaks (for more pay) to justify his take. Yes, I agree with him. The rating agencies rate by using the most simple, accessible metrics. The numbers hardly ever tell the real story, especially for the charities that are almost 100% in-kind. A different advocate for this argument would gain more traction. Most of us join causes as professionals not for pay as much as for the cause itself. Forgive us our resentment when others come here to get rich.