In the News
Nonprofit Mergers and Acquisitions (via Mission Measurement): The Bridgespan Group have authored this report that analyzed 3,300 deals across four states over 11 years. A key finding is that nonprofit mergers are often not implemented strategically, yet there is the potential to create real and significant enhancements in service delivery and outcomes if done so.
Questions about Prize Philanthropy (via Chronicle of Philanthropy): A recent report by McKinsey examined the proliferation of prize philanthropy by private foundations, businesses, and governments. These prizes provide significant incentives in some cases, but are not necessarily appropriate for other situations.
The report identifies seven ways they could “deliver change”: by identifying and rewarding excellence, influencing public perception on an issue, focusing a “problem-solving community” on a specific task, identifying and mobilizing new talent, creating networks that share ideas, educating people while also improving their skills, and acting as a catalyst to attract additional money. Read the entire report here.
The Foundation Review launches (HT: Tactical Philanthropy): The Foundation Review is the first peer-reviewed journal of philanthropy, written by and for foundation staff and boards, and those who work with them implementing programs. Its mission is to share evaluation results, tools, and knowledge about the philanthropic sector in order to improve the practice of grantmaking, yielding greater impact and innovation.
Read the first issue online, and join the discussion on the blog.
What's in an MBA?: Sarah Cliff wades into the debate around b-school education, noting that "Of course the public conversation about the MBA--its meaning, its value, its role in the global downturn--is intensifying. Why wouldn't it? Many MBAs are smack in the middle of the global financial meltdown, and one has to wonder what they learned and failed to learn in business school that's led to all of this."
Read the entire post, which references other critical perspectives, at harvardbusiness.org
