Phil Buchanan argues that we can find plenty of leadership on data utilization within the nonprofit sector, where exemplars abound.
By Phil Buchanan
To Judge or Not to Judge: The Brainstorming Myth
Phil Buchanan reflects on the limits of brainstorming after having his assumptions challenged by a recent article from the New Yorker by Jonah Lehrer.
Seven “New” Concepts that Are Not So New After All: Reflections on a History of Philanthropy
After reading Olivier Zunz’s new book Philanthropy in America, Phil Buchanan reflects on the often overlooked history of the sector in the United States.
The Unique and Urgent ‘Business’ of Philanthropy
The following blog post is adapted from a talk presented at a meeting of the Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington. As Suk Rhee mentioned in her introduction, I am a native Oregonian, so I know that there is no better place than the Pacific Northwest. And I...
Making Transparency Matter
There has been lots of talk lately about foundations and “transparency.” Perhaps the most prominent foundation transparency initiative is a website called Glass Pockets, launched about a year ago by Foundation Center. Its tagline? “Bringing transparency to the world...
The State of Performance Assessment, 10 Years Later
Phil Buchanan glances back 10 years as CEP prepares to release a new report on performance assessment for foundations.
What’s Wrong with This Picture?
Phil Buchanan weighs in on the idea that the business sector can address the issues traditionally seen as the domain of nonprofits – and on the persistence of borders distinguishing one sector from the other.
Education, Philanthropy and Metrics
Phil Buchanan writes about the challenge of ensuring that the current efforts of the big foundations and philanthropists to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for poor kids don’t meet the same fate as failed efforts of the past.
Avoiding a False Choice (Why We Need Both ‘Morality’ and Assessment)
Phil Buchanan’s talks about the relationship between passion and assessment in a forum at the Hudson Institute.
Why Foundations Need to Make a Leap of Reason
Phil Buchanan reviews Mario Marino’s new book, ‘Leap of Reason’, calling it a must read for anyone who cares about impact.