Where Most Needed

Acorn: Where's the Oak?

Pulled down by an embezzlement scandal and a lightning rod for right-wing attacks, the deeper tragedy at Acorn is how Wade Rathke turned community organizing into a personality cult that prevented the emergence of a new generation of leadership. 

Habitat for Humanity in the U.S. Faces Mid Life Crisis

Restructuring after the dismissal of founder Millard Fuller has some affiliates longing for a more grassroots approach, but a glance at form 990s and trends in U.S. housing reveals more fundamental perils facing the organization's mission and methods in its home country. 

Kitchen Democracy Turns into Online Oligarchy

A tiny nonprofit operates a web site that allows citizens to weigh in on local issues like zoning changes without attending city council meeings.  But there are complaints of ballot stuffing in online polls, which a little analysis shows is a credible claim.   

Small Groups Push for Recognition of Slavery in Philadelphia

A tiny nonprofit and an unincorporated group kept the pressure on the National Park Service to tell the story of how President George Washington held on to his slaves in the original US capital after Pennsylvania abolished slavery. 

Levi Strauss Heirs Pursue a New Vision of Philanthropy

And yet, despite initiatives in community development, gay & lesbian rights, and immigration policy, large civic gestures still define the principal foundation of the Haas family. 

Corprate Thinking Pays Off for Executive of Winston-Salem Goodwill

IRS safe harbor rules enables the organization's board to award over a million to its retiring chief, who shut down charity projects while opening more retail stores.

Save Darfur Coaltion: Advocacy Ads Aggravate, Director Fired

Executive director fired—it might be due to complaints from groups on the ground or from a financial company targeted in a divestment campaign.  Competing rationales pit the New York Times against the Boston Globe.

Charity Restaurants Trade Work for Food

One World Everybody Eats in Salt Lake City and SAME Cafe in Denver try out different social venture models for feeding those in need. 

Ferret Follies and Civil Society Silliness

California ferret advocacy group releases poll results showing that people are overwhelmingly opposed to legalizing the little creatures as pets.  Other advocates say that sometimes it might be better just to keep your mouth shut. 

Compensation and Governance at the US Holocaust Museum

After the criticism of the Smithsonian for its CEO's compensation, a comparison raises doubts about the reasonableness of another institution's top salary.