The Artful Juggler

By Fay Twersky 4

Foundation CEOs play a complex, ever-more-demanding role—a role that may not lend itself to on-the-job training.

Big Data for Social Innovation

By Kevin C. Desouza & Kendra L. Smith 20

Nonprofits lag behind business and science in using big data effectively.

Making Cash Pay Off

By Brandon Keim

GiveDirectly relies on high tech and hard data to test whether large cash transfers can alleviate extreme poverty.

Pop-Up Housing

By Suzie Boss 3

In London, the YMCA is combining prefab construction with stylish design to create a new kind of affordable home.

The Trouble With Top-Down

Review By Kevin Starr 1

The limits of technocratic, one-size-fits-all approaches to economic development have become all too evident.

Summer 2014

Putting Bullies in Their Place

By Suzie Boss

A Web-based initiative uses analysis of social media chatter to locate hotspots of antisocial behavior.

Good Show

By Suzie Boss

Presenting content with a social message is the focus of a recently launched movie-streaming company.

Government

Philanthropy in a Time of Polarization

By Steven Teles, Heather Hurlburt, & Mark Schmitt 1

The polarization of US politics is imposing new limits on how foundations can influence the policy process.

UP FOR DEBATE

Strategic Philanthropy for a Complex World

By John Kania, Mark Kramer, & Patty Russell 19

Foundations need to adopt a more emergent approach to strategic philanthropy.

Planning Meets Strategy

By John Anner 7

The work of transforming an organization starts with a readiness to question its scale, its scope, and even its core identity.