From Rod Nichols, AFGG Senior Advisor Rod.nichols@verizon.net A 21st Century Tikkun Olam–Possible? Today, in many parts of the world, “the life of man” is not much different than it was four hundred years ago when Hobbes said that life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” Despite spectacular progress in agriculture and industry across much [...]
Full Story »Great Ideas and Organization for Action
From Rod Nichols, AFGG Senior Advisor Rod.nichols@verizon.net Great Ideas and Organization for Action “Great ideas,” remarked Albert Camus, “come into the world as gently as doves. Perhaps then, if we listen attentively, we shall hear, amid the uproar of empires and nations, a faint flutter of wings, the gentle stirring of life and hope.” In [...]
Full Story »Newton, Innovation, and the Best Non-Profits
From Rod Nichols, AFGG Senior Advisor Rod.nichols@verizon.net Musing about frontiers for science, Isaac Newton, the 19th century genius, said “…the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.” He understood, profoundly, that even his own extraordinary insights in physics were but “a smoother pebble or prettier shell than ordinary.” That outlook also applies to [...]
Full Story »American Philanthropy: Education Around the World
[One of the Alliance's themes is celebrating and promoting philanthropy--particularly American philanthropy. Alliance team member Rod Nichols offers this perspective:] “Trouble shared is trouble halved.” This old saying is as true for nations as it is for individuals. It is also deeply embedded in the American traditions of voluntary associations and of philanthropy at home [...]
Full Story »The 3C’s and Innovation
Just as students must master the 3R’s, non-profit organizations must master the 3C’s of curiosity, competition, and compassion. It’s easy to glibly roll out these words; ever so much harder to master the fusion of these attributes essential for success. Curiosity means not only the capacity to imagine better social circumstances—a mission of change—but also [...]
Full Story »Invitation to a Conversation
Post by Jerry Chasen, Alliance VP on January 18, 2012 This past November 15th, the Alliance produced the Inaugural Bipartisan Conference on Innovation in Giving and Philanthropy. The one-day meeting at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC featured an Honorary Host Committee including House Maj. Leader Eric Cantor, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Susan Collins, Joe [...]
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