tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60971627096040967272012-01-26T15:17:15.751-05:00A conversation about current issues in the donor and funder community. Your comments are invited. All postings by Richard Marker are copyrighted and may be copied and disseminated with attribution. Commercial use requires prior approval.Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.comBlogger1121100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-22302883076685615822012-01-15T04:30:00.000-05:002012-01-15T04:30:14.627-05:00

A reminder to readers: WisePhilanthropy welcomes guest posts - with the following conditions: 1. Your guest post should be about the "giving" side of philanthropy or about philanthropy trends in general. This site is not about the fundraising side of the sector. 2. It may not be an advertisement in the guise of an "op-ed" piece. [If someone does want to advertise on this site, please contact

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-15265941874387918702011-12-23T09:17:00.001-05:002011-12-23T11:11:58.298-05:00

The real point of this posting is the last paragraph, but first: Let me start out by saying that Mirele and I pay our taxes. And as folks with lots of legitimate deductions, we have had occasion to prove that to the IRS – and they too agree that we pay our taxes. We are far from being 1%ers, but even we benefit from the very large loopholes afforded to the self-employed, mortgage payers, and

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-32518521973476032612011-12-20T04:07:00.000-05:002011-12-20T04:07:59.077-05:00

[This posting is quite different tn topic and tone from most. It was written in response to a request from the publisher of eJewishPhilanthropy to contribute to an online conversation about "what is Jewish Philanthropy". The subject is quite specific but is applicable to anyone who may be balancing competing claims of ethnic or religious identity and universal needs.] .................. I

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-51380155316490216022011-12-14T08:55:00.000-05:002011-12-14T08:55:28.581-05:00

Last evening I had the pleasure of attending the holiday reception of supporters and friends of Bolder Giving, a wonderful initiative encouraging those who may not be 1%ers to think creatively, and to give boldly, to make a difference. The effort has caught the imagination of many, highlighted the exemplary work of a few, and has stimulated healthy discussions quite broadly. At the event, my

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-10644738244370062242011-11-30T05:03:00.000-05:002011-11-30T05:03:44.597-05:00

At a recent philanthropy conference, I had a chat with two folks charged with actualizing new family foundations which had very similar charges. In both cases, the founder had a left a message that conservation causes should be supported, but environmental ones should not. What made life difficult for these two heirs was not merely the standard challenge of deciding which of the many

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-16343423225310190862011-11-27T09:48:00.001-05:002011-11-27T11:33:42.434-05:00

How philanthropy taught me to embrace failure – a precondition to success [This posting bridges my two blog sites: it is both about effective grantmaking and about personal learning. Thus I am posting it on both.] Typically, I find that I, as with many of my colleagues who write about philanthropy, extrapolate from personal experience to develop insights into good grantmaking strategies,

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-11767763708617392262011-10-15T11:31:00.000-04:002011-10-15T11:31:03.158-04:00

Please let me know if you would like to receive this updated power point. Earlier versions, focusing just on Partnerships and Collaborations, were the most requested document/worksheet. It has been newly updated to include a new section on Mergers - particularly the pro's and con's of funders encouraging/forcing mergers among grantees. Please contact me directly if you would like to receive a

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-56534979177272064952011-10-12T07:31:00.000-04:002011-10-12T07:31:04.129-04:00

When Mirele and I returned from Florida on Sunday, we immediately went on our pilgrimage to Zuccotti Square to express our solidarity with those who were, in one way or another, participating in “Occupy Wall Street.” I had attended the large boisterous rally/march on the previous Wednesday, proudly wearing the “99%” sticker, even as I was purposely wearing my suit and tie. Mirele was away and

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-15242630976808740262011-09-23T04:41:00.000-04:002011-09-23T04:41:46.875-04:00

I hate to say it, but “innovation” has become faddish. I suspect most readers know this, if not directly, then intuitively. It is too bad because much of the public interest sector is still in need of innovation and not simply rebranding. Some truly get what innovation is all about. These folks fully understand that it means both new ways of looking at things and new ways of doing things.

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-61749566806742684122011-09-12T07:01:00.000-04:002011-09-12T07:01:35.073-04:00

This blog is typically written for those of us who are funders, work with funders, or work for funders. That is whom I work with and whom I teach. However, I was flattered to learn recently that some fundraisers regularly read these posts as well – in part to get insights into the perspective of those whom they wish to solicit. As it happens, a few times each year, I am asked to speak to

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-69135788910032215612011-09-08T06:09:00.002-04:002011-09-08T06:09:33.245-04:00

This is a posting about the United States. Hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires. And that is just the last couple of weeks. Entire towns have been washed off the map, dozens of houses have burned, drought has parched much of the Southwest, power and water have proven to be unreliable utilities in New Jersey and Connecticut and Vermont, not just in Alabama and Louisiana and Mississippi. Whom

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-85760404365225001872011-09-01T07:57:00.002-04:002011-09-01T07:57:56.943-04:00

No, this is not a veiled argument that the profit motive is the only way to achieve long term and sustainable solutions to the ills of the world. Nor is it another slam at the inadequacy of the sector in accomplishing its vast and bottomless agenda. I am a big believer in, advocate of, supporter and facilitator of, and for much of my earlier career, employee of that sector. It is, though,

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-82664095073962039962011-08-24T10:16:00.000-04:002011-08-24T10:16:22.528-04:00

Not since 2008 have we heard this question so often. Sometimes it is asked out of simple curiosity, sometimes out of presumed sympathy for what some assume must be a difficult time, and sometimes it is asked as a way to anticipate what the funder community might be thinking. Is our business, the business of advising foundations, funders, and families on their philanthropy strategies, impacted

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-18071652053151664032011-07-14T06:07:00.000-04:002011-07-14T06:07:54.607-04:00

[This was written some weeks ago; apologies for the delayed posting.] When I entered this field as a professional, as head of a no-longer-standing foundation, I approached many of my colleagues – to find mentors, and those who could share insights on how to do this work, there was one line I heard so often, it seemed to be a professional mantra: You’ve met one foundation, you’ve met one

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-938798973239946792011-07-14T06:03:00.000-04:002011-07-14T06:03:02.120-04:00

[This was written several weeks ago for another context. Apologies for the delayed posting.] It was the morning of last November’s congressional elections. I was sitting at a breakfast meeting not related to philanthropy. On both my left and right were social friends from this educational breakfast series; both were more than comfortably wealthy and both are actively involved in many civic

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-18082403418337229092011-06-27T07:36:00.000-04:002011-06-27T07:36:57.873-04:00

I am in the field of advising funders of all sorts on the wide range of strategies related to their charitable giving. I call that charitable giving philanthropy, and thus I refer to myself as a "philanthropy advisor", and our discipline as "philanthropy advising". We advise about philanthropy. There are others, presumably in the same field, who call themselves "philanthropic advisors". I

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-90102128255537348092011-06-20T12:27:00.000-04:002011-06-20T12:27:42.604-04:00

[As readers know, I typically address generic philanthropy questions in this space but since I am occasionally asked to speak about matters impacting Jewish philanthropy, I have chosen to respond to the article referred to below in this blog posting.] This morning, I had occasion to see an op-ed piece which had been published in the Jerusalem Post by Johanna Arbib Perugia on “The Future of

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-12589581766683254852011-05-31T06:23:00.000-04:002011-05-31T06:23:19.886-04:00

This year marks the 11th year of my teaching philanthropists and foundation professionals at NYU’s Heyman Center for Philanthropy and the 10th since the development of the program now called the NYU Academy for Grantmaking and Funder Education. This posting is one of a series of reflections on a decade of teaching funders at the USA’s oldest and most comprehensive university program of its kind

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-20641778958884995722011-05-09T08:04:00.000-04:002011-05-09T08:04:56.581-04:00

[Due to some technical errors, this post from last week is being re-posted.] This week’s New York Magazine featured an article about those who wish to discount the value of a college degree. There are 1-½ arguments they proffer: 1. Given the huge debt many students have, and the weak economy, there is no longer any demonstrable financial advantage to achieving an undergraduate degree. This

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-11691689137231895032011-05-05T13:10:00.002-04:002011-05-05T13:10:09.946-04:00

As many readers know, I spent the first 14 years of my career working as a university chaplain, eleven of which were spent at Brown. Eleven years at one university is at least 3 student generations. Over the time I was there, the very bright, creative students who comprised that student population would regularly have “insights” for a great idea that would change the world, or maybe only life

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-32066153229943891832011-04-04T02:10:00.000-04:002011-04-04T02:10:36.356-04:00

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of speaking at the headquarters of one of the nation’s prominent wealth management companies. While I have done many presentations at such firms before, both for the wealth managers and for their clients, this one was untypical in that the audience included three participant groups: wealth managers, foundation principals, and endowment trustees. The

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-20953783879921861412011-03-14T06:32:00.000-04:002011-03-14T06:32:41.944-04:00

There are many on-line requests for funds for Japan relief, and many organizations giving advice. The most important advice we can offer is to give only to well established and well-known relief organizations. This in not the time to look for innovation or respond to requests from unheard-of groups. Many may be legitimate; many others aren't. Lessons from previous disasters shows that those

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-53274820587622114652010-12-29T07:11:00.001-05:002010-12-29T07:11:37.442-05:00

Readers of this blog are well aware of the program I have helped to develop at NYU over the last 11 years. Known as the Academy for Funder and Grantmaking Education, the range of courses, workshops, and seminars is targeted exclusively to those who give money away -philanthropists, foundation and other grantmaking professionals, and families. When we first organized the “Certificate in

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-88484369271699964512010-12-22T10:37:00.000-05:002010-12-22T10:37:53.121-05:00

Reminder to all of those who follow the blog to pass the word: there are still spaces for this January's edition of the mini-intensive for new funders at NYU's Academy for Funder Education, Jan 10-14 in NYC. Considered the premier university based program teaching philanthropists and foundation professionals, this January will mark the 8th edition. Typically this week long seminar attracts

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-5128607342155194232010-12-12T11:30:00.001-05:002010-12-12T11:30:43.905-05:00

Originally written and published in 2004, each year there have been requests to republish this message - a small way to remember what really matters, regardless of the economy and political travails. With best wishes to all for a healthy, productive, peaceful, and gratifying 2011. ................................................................ ‘Tis the season…. For gifting and giving.

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-26129833678827347392010-12-03T07:44:00.000-05:002010-12-03T07:44:46.794-05:00

[This was originally written on 3 Nov 2010 but, because of some technical difficulties, was not posted at that time; I have edited it very slightly in the context of the current debate on taxes and the extension of unemployment benefits.] In the hangover from the US elections, I cannot help being struck by a conversation on Monday. I was sitting between two significantly wealthy gentlemen whom

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-90264042229095370902010-12-02T10:27:00.000-05:002010-12-02T10:27:27.803-05:00

[This posting was written, but not posted, a few weeks ago; with the announcement of Jumo this week, it is particularly timely.] There are few luddites who still argue for the centrality of the classic intermediary funding organizations such as United Way, Jewish Federations, Catholic Charities, and many others. Most, though, acknowledge the data of funding patterns and the demographics of

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-67586628238572297172010-11-29T14:59:00.002-05:002010-11-29T14:59:41.141-05:00

The Foundation Center has just issued a report showing that there will be some incremental increase in philanthropic giving over the next year. As always it is good to have data which demonstrates what we already know. What this study demonstrates is that as the economy improves [or at least as the market improves!], there will be more money to give. Frankly, given the growth in the stock

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-47303708329396942492010-10-29T05:11:00.002-04:002010-10-29T05:11:32.429-04:00

Pleased to announce that SAYING 'YES' WISELY: INSIGHTS FOR THE THOUGHTFUL PHILANTHROPIST is now available in IPad, Kindle, and Nook format.

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-43176013307978968012010-10-01T14:22:00.002-04:002010-10-01T14:22:27.432-04:00

If there is one question I get more than any other on my “ask the philanthropy professor” page or from the press it is “How much money do you need to….? “ The conclusion of the question can vary: “to establish a private foundation” “to be taken seriously as a philanthropist” “to really make a difference” “to justify hiring someone like you “….. [We will leave that last one for another time.]

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-66760408020426218932010-09-06T18:29:00.000-04:002010-09-06T18:29:15.024-04:00

When The New York Times speaks, people pay attention. At least in the small part of the world we call philanthropy. The Grey Lady chose to feature an article about Crowdrise on page 3 – a virtual guarantee to be taken seriously by even the most cursory of readers. And if the number of retweets and TinyURL’s which I received of this article is any indication, it got the attention of lots of our

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-39819299056871980962010-09-06T06:51:00.002-04:002010-09-06T06:51:39.050-04:00

Last week I had the great pleasure of spending an evening with a few “social entrepreneurs” at the conclusion of a quick 2-day trip to Israel for a series of meetings. Without meaning to denigrate any of the others with whom I met, that evening was certainly the highlight. It is so refreshing and reinvigorating to spend time with those who are truly committed to invention, re-invention, and

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-57819999615241353762010-08-16T13:33:00.000-04:002010-08-16T13:33:09.687-04:00

The sad and unrelenting politicization of the putative “Ground Zero Mosque” continues to dominate the press and, as a political matter, seems to be gaining. Needless to say, as with so many of these things, the facts seem not to matter. For example, the proposed facility is NOT a mosque but rather a Muslim community center, similar to those of the Christian and Jewish communities in New York

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-91700455098363972742010-08-08T12:42:00.000-04:002010-08-08T12:42:57.675-04:00

Not since the Madoff business have I been asked for my opinion by more people than I have since Warren Buffett began his highly publicized assault his very rich peers on behalf of big money philanthropy. Some of the questions I have received are predictably voyeuristic – the endless fascination with the lives of the superrich and famous. Hate to disappoint, but even when I might have

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-85747711480311330602010-07-29T07:32:00.000-04:002010-07-29T07:32:38.001-04:00

“The perfect is the enemy of the good,” an oft-quoted aphorism from Voltaire, is a constructive admonition to keep us from paralysis in the face of imperfection. Since every human effort is, by definition, imperfect, the statement reminds us of the need to do that which betters our world, our public policy, our writing, our manufacture, our software applications, our avocations, and our vocation

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-64947799131953920452010-06-17T06:05:00.001-04:002010-07-05T13:08:33.509-04:00

The latest issue of the Chronicle of Philanthropy had numerous articles questioning and criticizing the data collected by GivingUSA. In virtually every case, they felt that the figures presented by GivingUSA were too optimistic a description of what is actually happening in philanthropic giving. These analyses are not the first to question the reliability of the data compiled by GivingUSA. I am

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-46871037604805978082010-05-31T07:12:00.000-04:002010-05-31T07:12:54.768-04:00

Sometimes even the philanthropy professor is in a quandary. By coincidence, I recently received 2 almost identical inquiries – about the propriety of one funder sitting on the board of another foundation. Most of us have an understanding of and even policies about the potential conflicts of interest when a funder sits on the board of a potential recipient organization or if a leader of a

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-90094166189962433482010-05-14T16:08:00.002-04:002010-05-14T16:08:56.189-04:00

Clients and students, and readers of this blog, are well aware that I believe that it is important to clarify ones view of the appropriate role of private philanthropy in order to make informed decisions about ones giving. Do you believe that the role of philanthropy is to do what government cannot afford to do – or perhaps is reluctant to do? Or do you believe that philanthropy should do what

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-49768117436842354222010-04-07T12:36:00.000-04:002010-04-07T12:36:56.873-04:00

I recently received a copy of an article which argued that “big government” was bad for private philanthropy. You will forgive me for not giving the reference here but it was issued as if it was an objective “study” but which was by a clearly ideologically motivated organization. Had it been issued as an op-ed opinion piece, I would have been more open to sharing the reference. The essence of

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-23929158177112976582010-04-07T05:58:00.002-04:002010-04-07T05:58:44.744-04:00

Ask the Philanthropy Professor – Scholarships A couple of recent questions have to do with funding scholarships. Not surprisingly, lots of funders care deeply about supporting those who are less fortunate and could use a leg up, or who wish to support up and coming young people in particular disciplines. It can be so gratifying to know that the recipients of ones generosity have names and are

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-1862008838225095432010-03-15T08:22:00.001-04:002010-03-24T18:03:05.695-04:00

A few words of background A couple of months ago, we proudly inaugurated a new service for funders. Our professional experience has demonstrated that there are lots and lots of people who give money away who have questions. Not all of them take our courses. Not all of them feel that their questions warrant hiring a professional. And in fact many are concerned that their own questions would be

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-41664084065741319092010-03-08T09:44:00.000-05:002010-03-08T09:44:22.467-05:00

I suspect that most readers will not be surprised to learn that I am pleased to see that we in the blogosphere are beginning to see some of my fellow philanthropy bloggers plead for a more balanced and reasonable view of effectiveness measures for non profit success. For the last few years, most of the noise has been from those who push for ever more sophisticated metrics, outcome measures,

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-12694685430752337272010-02-25T09:45:00.002-05:002010-02-25T09:45:58.566-05:00

Last week, a wonderful young leader, Seth Cohen of Atlanta, wrote a blog piece advocating that younger leaders and funders would do well to learn from and not dismiss the wisdom of those whose life experience might provide welcome insights for them. He called that older group “WiseGen.” At first blush, I was inclined to read this as a “shout out” to my own work. After all, for several years,

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-23981241316190139382010-02-10T20:20:00.000-05:002010-02-10T20:20:57.676-05:00

We are pleased to announce that Marker Goldsmith Philanthropy Advisors is now offering a new free service for those in the funder community: "Ask the Professor" For several years, we have informally provided this courtesy service to clients and students. Over the years, others have called upon us for assistance with specific issues facing them as philanthropists, foundation professionals, and

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-24181700967418676472010-01-27T06:31:00.003-05:002010-01-29T09:36:26.357-05:00

Many of you have asked why I haven’t posted about the disaster in Haiti. While some clients and students have solicited advice, my sense has been that there has been no shortage of helpful advice for funders of large and small means. Fortunately, the American philanthropy community and the press have learned something from the disastrous ways in which many responded to previous disasters.

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-87295244036598407242010-01-03T10:00:00.002-05:002010-01-03T10:00:58.064-05:00

You may think that this posting, my first in the year 2010, written just after the onslaught of end-of-year fundraising requests, is about the tone, content, and timing of those requests for our money. Indeed, one could have an interesting post about that, especially now that much of that previously wasted paper has been replaced by on-line requests which all come from the same script. “A week

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-58134595717887381322009-11-29T13:07:00.000-05:002009-11-29T13:07:35.162-05:00

Most of us see, and have commented on, the changes this extended economic downturn has wrought in the philanthropy and non-profit sector. Some are obvious: cutbacks in funding, staff, and programs. Some are mixed: compassion funding addressing human service needs - some funders have realigned their long term priorities, some have made short term adjustments to address joblessness,

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-34736929769247393012009-11-24T10:07:00.000-05:002009-11-24T10:07:38.051-05:00

With the gift giving season upon us, I am re-posting this seasonal message. Originally written in 2004, this has been requested and reprinted many times. ‘Tis the season…. For gifting and giving. Gifting focuses on the object; giving is about the subject. Gifting answers the question how much we give; giving shows how much we care. Gifting satisfies our lists; giving satisfies our life.

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-62904589710587645222009-11-22T06:24:00.003-05:002009-11-25T05:23:32.364-05:00

It is always so flattering to find that one’s blog is being read and taken seriously by my colleagues, and more so, to be asked to comment directly on a development in the field of philanthropy. As some readers may not know, a group, largely connected with Stanford University, has coined the concept of Philanthropedia and rolled out a giving model based on it. In the simplest terms, it

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-33216219886680762982009-11-09T05:56:00.001-05:002009-11-09T05:59:29.068-05:00

In my work with families and foundations helping them make good [for them] decisions about their giving strategies, there are two pre-condition steps which make all the difference: I help them understand their “culture” and their “values.” Without an understanding of both of those, their philanthropy may be high quality but their satisfaction is likely not to be. So I spend a lot of time on

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-7104353578757023012009-11-02T04:59:00.000-05:002009-11-02T05:00:24.535-05:00

A response to Elizabeth Kolbert – NEW YORKER, 2 November issueIn the 2 November issue of The New Yorker, Elizabeth Kolbert offers a thoughtful summary essay regarding the work of Cass Sunstein, the current head of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. Sunstein’s work attempts to unpack the epistemological changes which accompany the internet and cyberspace information age

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-33886600397764830572009-10-26T08:16:00.001-04:002009-10-26T08:18:29.206-04:00

Pleased to announce that, at long last, my book, SAYING 'YES' WISELY: INSIGHTS FOR THE THOUGHTFUL PHILANTHROPIST is now available on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933918470/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=I welcome your thoughts.

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-83533583538139215822009-10-10T18:11:00.001-04:002009-10-10T18:11:59.282-04:00

The other evening, at a wonderful benefit event, honoring two genuinely deserving people who represent a new generation of philanthropic leadership, I had another one of those predictable conversations. “How much money does one need to have to utilize someone like you?” they asked. A question I am asked, in one form or anther, all the time.[In my case it is an easy answer: it doesn’t matter. I

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-13162431439170254332009-10-01T12:13:00.004-04:002009-10-01T12:32:10.775-04:00

Today I attended a most interesting presentation at PhilanthropyNY [nee NYRAG]. The presenter, who shall remain nameless but who has a well deserved popular book about the widespread societal impact of cyberspace, gave much of his standard presentation. Well delivered, interesting, thought provoking, and reinforcing of many ideas we and others have discussed elsewhere.Then he tried to apply his

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-32647762673398699942009-09-29T08:41:00.001-04:002009-09-29T08:42:42.999-04:00

The Chronicle of Philanthropy, the unofficial bible of our field, has released its survey of non-profit CEO salaries at the largest non-profit organizations in the United States. It revealed that there was a median growth of 7% - despite a general reduction of non-profit budgets and a massive slowdown in the economy in general.The survey also listed a significant number of ceo’s who, voluntarily

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-27851988885452160472009-09-14T07:51:00.000-04:002009-09-14T07:52:23.793-04:00

It hit me – something is wrong with this picture.It hardly surprises when we read a press release announcing that another company or non profit has reduced its staffing – usually accompanied by a note of regret that financial exigencies – or some other carefully worded euphemism – necessitated these reductions. [A firing by any other name, even if part of a crowd, is the loss of a job.]The

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-24158339736264076032009-07-23T10:51:00.000-04:002009-07-23T10:52:03.523-04:00

As many readers and those who have heard me speak and teach about grantmaking know, one of my mantras is that funders should “fund for success.” My intention in this formulation was to challenge the tendency of many funders to ask how little they need to give for a project. They often assume that a grant request is padded and the grantseeker has built in an expectation of a discounted grant

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-171409089843437812009-07-01T12:18:00.001-04:002009-07-01T12:22:56.702-04:00

In my work with family foundations, there are few matters which arise as frequently as the questions of succession. “Who”, “when”, and “if” come up all the time. Sometimes raised by the founder, more often raised by next generations, the all too frequent absence of clarity can be an open or barely hidden source of contention, resentment, and puzzlement which often gets in the way of good and

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-7910255440003642922009-06-24T14:43:00.002-04:002009-06-24T14:47:48.407-04:00

This is not an unprecedented story but is a worthwhile morality tale for non-profit fundraisers. To ruffle as few feathers as possible, I won’t name names.I was recently honored by being elected Chair of an organization that has a very distinctive mission. There are a few other organizations with compatible but not identical missions and in a collegial manner, I extended a hand to the heads of

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-35956520873480477982009-06-22T10:39:00.000-04:002009-06-22T10:40:30.420-04:00

This posting was erroneously placed on a different blog. It was written on 4 June 09Earlier this week, I had the intellectual pleasure [but the emotional let down] of hearing a far-reaching economic assessment by Nouriel Roubini. Professor Roubini is well known for his dour assessment and he didn’t surprise the assemblage of well-healed and largely high net-worth attendees. While Prof Roubini

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-78662930849827859722009-06-18T10:54:00.000-04:002009-06-18T10:55:02.337-04:00

Readers of this blog are aware of a piece I wrote some time ago giving organizations a useful tool for the ifs and hows of partnerships and mergers. It is one of the most requested pieces I have ever written. It was based on fairly extensive experience in the area: both as the ceo of a foundation which invested heavily in such partnerships and as a periodic consultant to organizations which

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-62657183054938916242009-05-31T13:28:00.000-04:002009-05-31T13:29:05.773-04:00

Today’s Times reported that both Harvard and Columbia had instituted variations on a theme: an ethics oath for newly minted MBA graduates. It appears that Harvard’s is more voluntary but also requires a pro-active step; Columbia’s is built into the honors code and is assumed to apply for the entire career yet to be for all in the Columbia B-School orbit.The article seemed to suggest that

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-346530552411781692009-05-12T09:48:00.005-04:002009-05-13T21:32:35.131-04:00

It is a good time to reveiw the course offerings in Philanthropy for June and July. I am proud to be associated with courses at 2 universties offering these courses:The NYU Academy for Grantmaking and Funder Education is the oldest and most comprehensive training program for funders, families, and philanthropists anywhere and the only University with a full certificate in Grantmaking. Summer

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-46843290415888743052009-05-03T16:40:00.002-04:002009-05-03T16:43:23.854-04:00

Yesterday’s NY Times featured a helpful review of the thinking in our field about the relationship of funders and recipient organizations in honoring donor intent. It is always good to see colleagues Melissa Berman and Lisa Philips quoted, with their typical good judgment. The article summarized the current status of the legal issues and best practices regarding the right of the non-profit to

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-74767410884537702792009-03-09T08:59:00.002-04:002009-03-09T09:29:07.111-04:00

Many in our field have filed their carefully worded demurral to one element of the proposed stimulus plan - that of capping the maximum tax perfectibility [for US taxpayers] for charitable deductions at 28%. Their argument is that it would discourage charitable giving - at exactly the moment that the country and the world needs to encourage as much generosity as possible. As sympathetic as I

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-6400648945072814112009-02-25T06:39:00.002-05:002009-02-25T06:44:12.167-05:00

Please note that today is the last day to register for this Friday's Family Philanthropy workshop at NYU. This full day workshop was originally developed in collaboration with the NCFP and the ASF and has been held regularly for several years. It is a closed door session - only for those who are thmeselves family funders or those who wrok with them [if a member of the family attends.] For

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-74413266707170326012009-02-23T09:19:00.001-05:002009-02-23T09:21:32.462-05:00

Apologies to regular readers. I have been doing edits of the forthcoming book "Saying 'yes' Wisely: Insights for the Thoughtful Philanthropist" which should be finished and out quite soon. Will return to regular postings post haste!

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-12227921720816842112009-01-28T17:00:00.000-05:002009-01-28T17:01:06.948-05:00

The latest list of the most generous givers demonstrates some extraordinary generosity and commitment to philanthropy. Even in these days when we throw the word billions around as easily as they disappeared over the last year, estates which supported or established foundations or made testamentary gifts with 10 figures – billions or more - still catch our attention. What was noteworthy in the

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-15362082590529920802009-01-22T13:44:00.001-05:002009-01-22T13:44:45.461-05:00

Leading up to this week’s inauguration, lots of us in the philanthropy field have been interviewed or asked to speak about the new Obama administration. Most of those conversations have focused on policy and legislation. Much has been written, including a very impressive compilation of ideas in the Chronicle of Philanthropy some weeks ago. I congratulate my colleagues on the scope of their

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-76006773822125616032009-01-08T06:28:00.000-05:002009-01-08T06:29:39.769-05:00

As readers of this site are well aware, much of my professional time is spent working with families on matters relating to their philanthropy. It is an extraordinary moment – families invite me in to deal with many matters relating to their deepest values, philanthropic and charitable decisions, questions of when to bring new generations into the formal process, and, indeed, who should be

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-36876512809712819342008-12-31T07:12:00.002-05:002008-12-31T17:50:54.923-05:00

When I first entered the foundation field as a professional, I quickly learned that the most popular bon mot in the field was “you’ve met one foundation… you’ve met one foundation.” I heard it often, always with a self-satisfied smile, which affirmed the unique character, history, legacy, and style of each foundation. The message was clear: don’t assume you understand the field or that you

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-87916013517510087502008-12-22T16:22:00.000-05:002008-12-22T16:23:16.404-05:00

The community was traumatized – they had managed to absorb political reversals, terrorism, and general economic deterioration. As difficult, upsetting, disconcerting, and challenging each of this succession of crises had been, they had always been by outsiders. This crisis was of a different sort altogether. A powerful insider in the financial community had been indicted; his financial

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-13927100948689689422008-12-08T06:16:00.002-05:002008-12-08T06:45:32.268-05:00

As readers know, my thoughts on giving strategies in these economically challenging times have been sought by groups, press, and individuals for some time. A surprising number of you requested the power point which accompanied the public presentation. It is a question and challenge which isn't going away anytime soon. In the last couple of weeks, though, my own thinking has taken a slight

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-27119897651785353612008-12-02T06:08:00.002-05:002008-12-02T07:24:11.686-05:00

Let me begin by saying that I really don't like the term "nextGen." It typically is simply the latest euphemism for "young leadership" or other ways in which established organizations try to entice those perceived to be too young to be true organizational leaders to develop a connection and commitment. Underlying it is a very patronizing concept. It says: you are not rich enough or not proven

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-69357563004200220432008-11-18T10:22:00.003-05:002008-11-18T10:51:48.225-05:00

I am turning to readers of this blog for your advice. [any incriminating info in this situation I am about to describe is disguised.]I received a call recently from someone who is setting up a "fund" and wants to train those of the next generation to learn how to make grants from this fund. Eventually, the plan is to increase the corpus significantly so this is being set up to get this

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-78054347500536172192008-11-06T04:50:00.002-05:002008-11-06T05:17:18.560-05:00

Any readers of the Chronicle of Philanthropy [which I assume is 99.9% of the readers of this blog] are well aware of the back and forth arguments concerning whether a profit motive applied to human needs will be a more efficient or effective means of redressing social ills. This posting will not extend that discourse beyond a couple of brief observations:There are, to my mind, some examples when

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-51219768215314543102008-10-23T07:18:00.002-04:002008-10-23T07:22:04.286-04:00

Earlier this year, I posted "Giving in a time of less." That piece which has been presented publicly in several settings, and is now available, by request, in an updated power point version. Let me know if you would like to have me send it to you.

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-33375630707808821362008-10-12T18:08:00.002-04:002008-10-12T18:11:40.297-04:00

Earlier this week, we formally announced that the program teaching funders, philanthropists, and grantmakers at NYU would henceforth be known as the Academy for Grantmaking and Funder Education. While we have proudly taught hundreds of individual funders and professionals in the field over the past 7 years, this new name will allow folks to find us and to more readily identify this focus of the

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-25475901972778915782008-09-29T12:24:00.000-04:002008-09-29T12:25:24.080-04:00

All of us on the philanthropy advising side of things are used to having private conversations with families about succession. While most of that has to do with when and whom to involve in decision making for family giving, it is not uncommon for this to lead to a conversation about other related matters. One related matter is how much to leave children and grandchildren, how much is too much,

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-55878454250925774352008-09-18T06:48:00.000-04:002008-09-18T06:49:00.733-04:00

One of the great fun perks of working as an executive of Seagram, when it still existed, was a very extensive “product allowance.” Since the company was one of the largest importers of premium and estate wines, simply put this meant that I could buy lots of fine wine at company expense. I regret that very little of the very ample supply from those years remains, but it was a great run.I do

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-15519481050551999652008-08-20T10:43:00.002-04:002008-08-20T10:53:58.213-04:00

A recent study, as reported by Private Wealth, revealed a surprising level of dissatisfaction with the work of Trust and Estate attorneys. The suggestive statistic, which led to the study, was the surprisingly high percentage of high net worth families and individuals who never signed off on their proposed estate plans. I suspect that many of these lawyers have long term relationship with

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-34205259257490510652008-08-14T05:33:00.003-04:002008-08-14T07:29:47.783-04:00

RE-POSTING- sorry for some technical issues in previous posting: I am often asked if my "how-to's" could be available on-line. In response to a recent request from a colleague, I am posting this check-list form I use with clients who might be considering entering into a funding partnership or collaborative.Definitions:Collaboration: a joint/coordinated effort by more than one funder to support

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-73576927085157206402008-08-06T09:44:00.002-04:002008-08-06T09:47:03.846-04:00

by Deborah Brody Hamilton, director of strategic partnerships at The Keystone Center. At the end of Annie Hall, Woody Allen is musing about the nature of relationships, and he says: I thought of that old joke, you know, this-this-this guy goes to a psychiatrist and says, “Doc, uh, my brother's crazy. He thinks he's a chicken.” And, uh, the doctor says, “Well, why don't you turn him in?

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-77279339480009918672008-07-20T09:07:00.002-04:002008-07-20T09:19:19.504-04:00

I recently posted a piece on MarkerMusings.blogspot about my experience with a cause and a non profit I care about and my recent experience with their record keeping. The posting there is about the cause and my frustration that the apparent ineptitude of the organization may be in the way of doing work that i care about. After posting it, and re-reading it, I realize it is also a cautionary

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-9175951849163765872008-06-29T12:18:00.002-04:002008-06-29T12:21:38.568-04:00

They were from Latin America, Canada, Europe, Israel, South Africa, and Australia. All of them committed to philanthropy, and all of them eager to learn. My job – to translate the transformative elements of 21st Century philanthropy [and identity] to folks who successfully mastered the 20th. I was to address the challenges of the generations. What was so refreshing, for me, was their

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-26912616167028644522008-06-15T08:47:00.002-04:002008-06-15T08:49:41.555-04:00

Later this week, I will be in Jerusalem speaking to 100 leading philanthropists from Australia, South Africa, Europe, Latin America, and Canada. Not by coincidence, none will be from the United States. The sponsoring organization works throughout much of the world excluding the United States, so the make-up of the group is as one would have expected. My assigned topic,

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-82546606405357908642008-06-06T07:52:00.001-04:002008-06-06T08:25:05.450-04:00

Speaking professionally [i.e., getting paid] is an important part of my professional identity and my annual income and has been for a long time. Eleven years ago, when I was still living in DC, in an effort to improve my skills, I applied to be a mentee in a program sponsored by the Washington Chapter of the National Speakers Association. For me, the program more than did its job. I

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-513606901380946742008-05-29T07:00:00.003-04:002008-05-31T07:05:43.855-04:00

I always appreciate calls from the press since they help me focus my thoughts on issues I have been meaning to write about. This time the inquiry regarded the recent Minnesota decision to remove real estate tax exemption from a day care center. I don’t know any more specifics about this than what I read in The NY Times, so these comments are more about the general issue. Some thoughts [

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-7512379917846348512008-05-21T13:19:00.002-04:002008-05-21T13:22:25.025-04:00

Last week, I attended a session for professional speakers on how to understand and use web-based social networking. For those of us who are, shall we say, chronologically challenged, it was instructive to say the least. I am a member of a bunch of these sites [facebook, linked-in, etc.] but had certainly not figured out how to use them for anything other than curiosity or to respond when

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-40150378543215244402008-05-15T11:59:00.002-04:002008-05-15T12:02:46.271-04:00

I am delighted, once again, to have an opportunity to share this space to convey useful information from others in the field. R. MarkerBy Evan Hochberg, National Director of Community Involvement, Deloitte Services LP Redefining Corporate Philanthropy: Looking Beyond the Dollar It's no secret that, as nonprofit groups seek to accomplish their missions as efficiently as possible, they often

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-3050681809009173102008-05-02T07:19:00.001-04:002008-05-02T07:22:28.076-04:00

It shouldn’t bother me, I guess, but it does. And it happened again just this week. Someone again asked me how the fundraising is going. When I explained that I don’t have anything to do with fundraising but only work on the side of funders [advising, teaching, speaking…] they expressed their surprise. They remembered that I did philanthropic advising but they somehow assumed that meant

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-30312979069570685742008-03-16T12:23:00.002-04:002008-03-16T14:32:50.492-04:00

I was flattered to read a recent issue of CONTRIBUTE magazine [December 07] and discover that I was quoted and even had my picture connected to an article about the Pay Gap in the non profit/independent sector. I am comfortable with the quote attributed to me but I do believe that the article as a whole focuses on the wrong part of the equation. The article seems to take issue with the large

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-45894344261236019522008-03-16T12:02:00.004-04:002008-03-16T12:28:32.144-04:00

Readers of my articles, and those who have heard me speak, know that I believe that the uniqueness of American philanthropy is NOT that our society is more generous than others, nor that the story of philanthropy is best told by viewing the giving of the super-rich. Such philanthropy has been a part of every society and, while interesting and even vicariously stimulating, is hardly the model

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-11383837663980146342008-02-22T07:43:00.003-05:002008-03-17T13:30:17.247-04:00

[apparently there were some technical glitches in this article when previously posted. Here it is re-posted. Apologies.] Recently I have been contacted by several reporters asking about how the predicted recession is going to influence philanthropy. Will donors stop giving? What now? Foundation leaders and independent funders are asking me, “what should I do now?” This is the not the

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-20590718717283482392008-02-13T21:33:00.002-05:002008-02-13T21:36:59.892-05:00

This posting is in response to Jason Dick who asks: "What motivates giving?" Is it compassion, good fundraising, desire to make a difference in the community? What is it?”Context: I advise and counsel foundations and individual philanthropists on the strategies which inform their philanthropy. My work is strictly on the side of the “givers.” That perspective informs these thoughts.

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-18379265045874161092008-01-22T07:48:00.000-05:002008-01-22T07:49:19.417-05:00

[This entry is in response to a request from Trista Harris of “new voices in philanthropy” to address this issue. It is also cross referenced on their blog.]In addressing the future of “philanthropic foundations” one is tempted to recall the most quoted generalization about foundations: “you’ve met one foundation, you’ve met one foundation.” While sort of true, it is frankly not as true as we

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-33637215637357686872008-01-21T16:20:00.000-05:002008-01-21T16:23:13.549-05:00

[This posting is in response to an inquiry from Will Schneider of FLiP regarding the value of particular credentials for a career in philanthropy. It is being posted on their blog site as well.]Will Schneider’s inquiry is a very helpful one. Given where I sit [and have sat] I am asked that question all the time. Based on at least 5 or more “careers” over a 40 year period, here are some

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-85483925902637577192008-01-02T13:00:00.000-05:002008-01-02T13:10:37.782-05:00

[from the archives; originally published by STRATUS REWARDS, 2004]‘Tis the season…. For gifting and giving.Gifting focuses on the object; giving is about the subject.Gifting answers the question how much we give; giving shows how much we care.Gifting satisfies our lists; giving satisfies our life.Gifting fulfills our responsibility; giving expands our sensibilities.Charitable gifting rewards our

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-12054242099090419302008-01-02T10:03:00.000-05:002008-01-02T10:05:23.076-05:00

[From the archives; a slightly different version originally published in Sh’ma, October 2001; this article has been widely quoted since its original publication.]It was during my interview with Edgar M. Bronfman when I learned philanthropy’s first lesson. “We need someone who will know how to say no to all of these wonderful causes in a gracious manner” he told me. There are so many worthy and

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097162709604096727.post-36972837193736909602007-12-20T18:06:00.000-05:002007-12-20T18:08:35.567-05:00

It is always flattering to be interviewed for a TV network, but this was the first time it was for a Korean audience. The questions were certainly as telling as my answers were interesting [of course]. Their assumptions about American philanthropy and generosity assumed the truth of American exceptionalism – that Americans as a people are more generous than other nations. The example they

Richard Markerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00414929835583902327noreply@blogger.com0