Resisting Reductive Realism

Ethicists struggle to take reductive views seriously. They also have trouble conceiving of some supervenience failures. Understanding why provides further evidence for a kind of hybrid view of normative concept use

Real Results: Why Strategic Philanthropy is Social Justice Philanthropy

The crises affecting our nation and the world have prompted philanthropists to become more organized, focused and, perhaps above all, "strategic" in their efforts. The movement toward "strategic philanthropy" has already contributed to greater philanthropic effectiveness. Yet, despite important contributions to education, health, the arts and the environment, it is clear that philanthropy's ultimate impact is still limited. Great disparities along the lines of race, gender, class and other identity markers persist and, in some cases, are even exacerbated.This suggests that something is missing from our sector's understanding of what makes for truly strategic and effective philanthropy:A clear understanding of one's goals includes not only the desired impact but also identifies who will benefit (or not) and how.A commitment to evidence-based strategy cannot ignore the tangible, positive impact -- and often the necessity -- of influencing public policy.Keeping a philanthropic strategy on course requires the input of those who stand to gain or lose the most from grantmaking: the grantees and the communities they serve.Truly strategic philanthropy is social justice philanthropy

The State of General Operating Support 2011

In 2011, 1,121 American grantmakers reported $5.9 billion in general operating support, a substantial increase (83 percent) over average core support from 2008-2010. The share of foundation dollars classified as providing this vital type of funding increased from 16 percent to 24 percent. NCRP's "Criteria for Philanthropy at Its Best" encourages grantmakers to provide at least 50 percent of grant dollars for general operating support. Also called "core support," these grants are essential for nonprofits' success: it provides flexible funds that help them respond to unexpected opportunities, builds capacity and leadership development and signals trust between the funder and the grantee

The State of Giving to Underserved Communities 2011

Numbers from "The State of Giving to Underserved Communities 2011" show that there was a slight increase in giving to benefit marginalized groups, broadly defined, such as the economically disadvantaged, racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQ citizens and others, at 42 percent in 2011 compared to 40 percent average in 2008-2010

Conceptual Analysis in Metaethics

A critical survey of various positions on the nature, use, possession, and analysis of normative concepts. We frame our treatment around G.E. Moore’s Open Question Argument, and the ways metaethicists have responded by departing from a Classical Theory of concepts. In addition to the Classical Theory, we discuss synthetic naturalism, noncognitivism (expressivist and inferentialist), prototype theory, network theory, and empirical linguistic approaches. Although written for a general philosophical audience, we attempt to provide a new perspective and highlight some underappreciated problems about normative concepts