Sean Stannard Stockton

What Are You Reading?

Julia Moulden | Posted 11.17.2011

Read More: Philanthropy, Sean Stannard Stockton, Giving, New Radicals, Books, Julia Moulden, The Giving Life, Healthy Living News
Julia Moulden

Whenever I interview someone - or am being briefed by a client for whom I'm writing a speech - I always ask, "What are you reading?" It helps to know ...

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Philanthropy at its Somewhat Myopic: Mistaking Means and Ends

Paul Brest | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Home News, General Operating Support, Ncrp, Foundations, National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Nonprofit Sector, Grantmaking, Criteria for Philanthropy at Its Best, Philanthropy, Business News, Project Support, Non-Profit Foundations, Criteria for Philanthropy at Its Best: Benchmarks to Assess and Enhance Grantmaking Impact, Social Venture Partners, Sean Stannard-Stockton, Independent Sector, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, The Giving Life, Business News
Paul Brest

The most significant of NCRP's grantmaking requirements is that 50 percent of a foundation's grants be for general operating support (GOS) -- unrestricted support for an organization.

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The Role of the Philanthropist: Evidence-Based Theories of Change, Round II

Paul Brest | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: For-Profit Firms, Philanthropy, Progress, Public Benefit, Business Plan, Donors, Tactical Philanthropy, Nonprofits, Execute Plan, Theories of Change, Sean Stannard-Stockton, Goals, Role of a Philanthropist, Business News
Paul Brest

Yes, any public benefit activity should be executed according to a plan. But I refute the assertion that philanthropists are the ones charged with designing a theory of change.

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Why Evidence is Essential in Defining the Missions of Non-Profits

Paul Brest | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Philanthropy, Non-Profits, Social Change, Smart Philanthropy, Non-Profit Foundations, Sean Stannard-Stockton, Money Well Spent: A Strategic Plan for Smart Philanthropy, Business, Grants, Donations, Charity, Obama Stimulus Plan, Foundations, KIPP Charter Schools, Funding Non-Profits, Tactical Philanthropy, Business News, Strategic Philanthropy, Giving, Economy, Business News
Paul Brest

I believe that a great nonprofit organization is ultimately only as good as its theory of change. There is considerable knowledge about what works and what doesn't work in particular contexts.

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Guest Post: Sean Stannard-Stockton

Paul Brest | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Non-Profit Foundations, Charity, Funding Non-Profits, Economy, Money Well Spent: A Strategic Plan for Smart Philanthropy, Grants, Non-Profits, Smart Philanthropy, Business, Sean Stannard-Stockton, Philanthropy, Strategic Philanthropy, Tactical Philanthropy, Business News, Donations, Giving, Foundations, Obama Stimulus Plan, Business News
Paul Brest

The theory of change concept makes sense in a static landscape. But it fails in a dynamic landscape, where what you learned on your last trip might not apply this time.

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