WHY FOR-PROFIT COMPANIES WILL DO THE RIGHT THING

Several years ago, Socially Responsible Investing maven Peter D. Kinder, then president at KLD Research & Analytics (KLD) in Boston, and currently Strategic Advisor to ESG Analytics, wrote a white paper called “Values and Money.” His stated goal was to trace the history of SRI and to provide some real definitions, context and metrics about […]


WHAT NONPROFITS NEED TO LEARN FROM FOR-PROFITS

At last, volunteering is getting some of the respect it deserves. In its just-released seventh annual Volunteer Impact Survey, Deloitte reports a significant shift in corporate attitudes toward workplace volunteerism. Seen in the past by companies as little more than an employee perk, volunteerism lately is being dressed as a serious tool for social change. […]


LET’S TRY REAL CAPITALISM INSTEAD OF THE SOCIAL KIND

“We need to stop separating investment decisions from philanthropic giving,” writes Alexander Friedman, in an opinion piece in the “Financial Times.” Huzzah! At last! Someone has actually named the bridge that should have been built long ago. Friedman, who recently stepped down as CFO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and who also was […]


STEPPING UP

Increasingly, the survival and safety of women around the world are motivating American women to deepen their involvement. The result tends to be more focus, and more active engagement. Diana von Furstenberg fits that bill. In addition to being chief executive of her global fashion business, the veteran designer is also a mother, the wife […]


CLEARING THE HURDLES

Beyond the uncertain times and wobbly economy, women are still shying from giving and from defining themselves as philanthropists. The barriers to women’s giving have proven to be tough and tall. They haven’t changed all that much — or nearly enough — over the past decade. I believe much of this stems from women’s attitudes […]


YES, IT’S SIMPLER TO WRITE A CHECK, BUT IS IT SMARTER?

If philanthropy does not require gobs of cash, it is nonetheless both wiser and more effective to craft a customized financial plan before you begin. A plan can help maximize the impact of your gift, both right away and in years to come. It also pays to define exactly what income and categories of assets […]


LET US NOW PRAISE WOMEN

Recently, at a private gathering to explore women’s giving. There were about 20 or so women, all stellar, all smart, all devoted and dedicated to admirable and challenging missions and all trading off lots of privileges and perks for their cause. Yet, for the most part, the mood of the evening, was questioning and modest. […]


WOMEN ARE NOT A NICHE ISSUE. WOMEN ARE THE MARKET

A just-released report from Ernst & Young and the World Economic Forum, entitled “Groundbreakers: Using the strength of women to rebuild the world economy,” offers yet deeper confirmation of the chorus that now includes Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women program, the UN, the World Bank and dozens of microfinance initiatives around the world. Says the report: […]