小變化

A powerful critique of a seemingly beneficial trend that is actually undermining the effectiveness of philanthropy

Written by an insider -- a former official with several high-profile nonprofits

Co-published with the prominent New York think tank Demos

A new movement is afoot that promises to save the world by bringing the magic of the market to philanthropy. Nonprofits should be run like businesses, its adherents say, and businesses can find new sources of revenue by marketing goods and services that benefit society. Dubbed "philanthrocapitalism," its supporters believe that business principles can and should be the primary drivers of social transformation. What could be wrong with that?

Plenty, argues, former Ford Foundation director Michael Edwards. In this hard-hitting, controversial expose he marshals a wealth of evidence to show just how far short the promise of philnthrocapitalism has fallen, and why the whole concept is fundamentally flawed.

Some business practices can be beneficial to nonprofits, and it's definitely a good thing that the for-profit sector is developing a social conscience. Edwards carefully specifies when businesses and business thinking can help. But to really get at the root causes of the systemic problems most nonprofits wrestle with-hunger, poverty, disease, violence-requires a completely different way of operating. S