Encouraging Charitable Efficiencies More Charitable Than Discouraging Nonprofits - Take One

A Sister of Perpetual Indulgence

In a recent article entitled Charities Rise, Costing U.S. Billions in Tax Breaks, Stephanie Strom of the New York Times raises concerns about an out of control nonprofit sector that is flooding the IRS with frivolous new applications to establish new public charities that will deprive the federal budget of billions of dollars.

She demonstrates her point by citing new groups such as Save Your Ass Long Ear...

Understanding The Unconscious Side of Racism

Photo by Damon Winter/The New York Times

The New York Times reported on December 1 (2009) that even educated blacks may suffer racial discrimination in the job market.  Although the article focuses on the job market, it just as easily could have been about the credit market, the housing market or any of the various other markets and institutions in our society.  When these stories appear – and it indeed is a good thing that they do appear – there is always an element of surprise and a dearth...

Liberia: Surviving Gender-Based Violence

One of our projects at Tides, Women’s Rights International (WRI), works with women in conflict situations to document human rights violations. The director, Shana Swiss lived in Monrovia for many years during the 90’s and worked closely with Rosana Schaack (“Rosie”). I spoke to Shana before I left and she put me in touch with Rosie. I had a chance to meet Rosie on Monday.

With WRI, Rosie worked with Shana and others to document the war experiences of women from 1990 – 1994 in the greater Monrovia area. In 1996,...