Aspen Philanthropy Group

According to venture philanthropist Mario Morino, outcomes-based practices produce "meaningful, measurable, sustainable benefit for those served."

Foundation officers often mistakenly seek to apply scientific principles to complex social problems. And, civil society is endangered by an increasing market mentality on the part of new nonprofit leaders.

Foundation leaders can no longer assume that policymakers share their view of the sector's role -- it is up to these leaders to tell philanthropy's story in a way that can be appreciated and understood.

A recent survey of civically engaged Americans reports that only 19 percent had heard or seen anything in the news about philanthropy's response to the economic downturn.