Preferring the carrot to the stick

When history looks back on the philanthropic world in the first decade of the 21st century, I suspect it will define us in basic ways. It will record that during this time philanthropy grew in size, service and scrutiny. Of these three, I think the most dramatic change will have been the growth in scrutiny.

While Rick Cohen’s call to accountability is appropriate, it is hardly new; in fact, it has always been with us. And it is even more critical as we seek to gain the confidence of a new generation of potential philanthropists.