Socially Responsible Salon

Me and Marilyn Monroe

Jacqueline Beretta — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 17:38:00 +0000

Last Monday I had a great tour of the Marilyn Monroe exhibit at the Women’s Museum at the Texas State Fair in Dallas. Her clothing was so "Marilyn" and photographs were great! You don’t want to miss this exhibit – and all the rest of the museum full of wonderful stories of neat women throughout Texas history. I stepped outside with my friend Evy Kay Ritzen who was with me and our group of 99 women who make up the class of 2006 Leadership Texas. It was our last session in Dallas – our graduation.

We listened for a minute to the Marine Corps Band! Evy Kay and I decided to walk over to see another old building on the State Fair Campus… and instead of taking the sidewalk – we took a shortcut across the grass. I had on new and oh so cool high wedges and immediately took a bad tumble. My friends heard a crack, I gracefully sat on the ground and then the story began…. my first ride in an ambulance, a visit to Baylor Emergency with fellow LT sisters, Evy Kay and Penny Beaumont, and of course, a broken ankle and new crutches.

So, to make a long story short, I received this wonderful insight from Edward Smith who said to “Incorporate "after action reviews" into your life.” He explained that the military uses these to analyze how an operation went after the fact. You can use these same questions to review how things are going in your life. This prevents you from making the same mistakes over and over again, and builds on your successes.

These are the questions they ask and how I would answer them after the fact:
1. What was our objective? Evy and I wanted to get to the DAR Museum to peek inside as fast as we could before the buses left for the Dallas Arboretum, where we were to enjoy the gardens and dinner.
2. What actually happened? We stepped off the sidewalk to take a shortcut across the grass in my cute new high heels and I broke my ankle.
3. Why did it happen? I did not calculate the risks for swiftly walking into uneven grass in heels. I took a shortcut.
4. What are we going to do next time? Take the sidewalk – sometimes taking a shortcut has its consequences. Also, I will gingerly consider when and where to wear my cute high heels. My husband Ben says, “Get rid of the heels Jackie! You are a significant even without the heels!” Thanks Ben!

(As I write this, I am longingly looking at my beautiful closet full of beautiful high heels balanced on my crutches….and thinking about Marilyn Monroe.)

“We are here facing the unexpected” …. An Amish Pastor

Jacqueline Beretta — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 21:47:00 +0000

I don’t think the war on terror is just about a bunch of jihads anymore. Sure, the jihads are who you think of when you think about terrorists, but we are under attack right here in our own country by people who are as American as apple pie.

These are the people who massacre and molest our daughters right here inside our schools; and these are the 40 million US citizens who view and trade in child pornography regularly at the rate of $12 billion a year; and last but not least, those who traffic children for sexual purposes. Milk men, congressmen and doctors do it…right under our noses next door. People who are considered reputable in their community put their children on the bus in the morning with big hugs and kisses, and then proceed to kill little girls execution style and then commit suicide themselves. What’s wrong with this picture?

It’s strange and unsettling to think that these crimes happen in predominantly white suburban/rural schools and are executed by middle class Americans whose excuses range from, “We were molested as children” to “We were bullied and we are mad” to “We were haunted in our dreams by actions of our past, and compelled to rape and plunder”. There is something very dark and sinister here... something that is very unexpected.

People are caught every day possessing and dealing in pornography and never serve a day in jail. Why? I repeat – US congressmen instant messaging sexually explicit words to pages in our nations capital, fathers murdering children, students shooting their fellow classmates, doctors dealing in child pornography – what are they thinking? How can they think what they are thinking? Can no one notice their strange and warped behavior? And are they too afraid to speak out if they do see it? Have we become a country of people who say “It’s not our business – so I’m going to keep my mouth shut?”

Please go look at the statistics in Texas - they are appalling and disgusting - and they will not make you proud - The Texas Council on Family violence - http://www.tcfv.org/info/abuse_in_texas.html.

And then promise yourself that you will realize how sick this is and do something to change the future.

And there is a way. There is a sector in our society that does work every day to combat the ills of society- they are called nonprofits and we have put the burden on them to raise the human spirit in every way. There are organizations in every cityin the state.

Some I know about are:

In Dallas there are the The Genesis Women's Shelter offers theraputic counceling to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault at no cost, and they raise community awareness about the persuasiveness and effects of domestic violence (214-946-HELP); The Suicide & Crisis Center helps those who suffer from hopelessness, isolation, anxiety and shame (214-828-1000).; and proactively The Heart House serves children with a free after school program that helps give them the tools to succeed as healthy productive adults (214-750-7637).
In San Antonio, The Alpha Home focuses on the treatment of women who suffer from addiction that coincides with emotional, physical and sexual abuse (210-735-3822).

Gerogetown - The Georgetown Project is dedicated to building a healthier community for their children and youth by mobilizing the community to a coordinated action (512-864-7799).

Yes – we are facing the unexpected – but we can prevail and we must take responsibility for the violent behavior that seems to be saturating our society. We need to help those who need our help. Support your local nonprofits today.

The cornerstone of the Texas philanthropic community

Jacqueline Beretta — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 12:34:00 +0000

For the last six years, TXNP has been the cornerstone of the Texas philanthropic community- always reliable, dependable, accessible, and ready and willing to help. Through its website and database, TXNP has developed an accessible and powerful technology that accelerates information sharing and collaboration across Texas. TXNP’s utilization of technology to connect, inform, and empower the nonprofit community and to disseminate credible and complete information crucial to strengthening nonprofit infrastructure and assisting funders in making more strategic funding decisions has enabled it to emerge as the “go-to” resource for the nonprofit sector.

Since launching the site, TexasNonprofits has:

· had over 125,000 unique visitors to the site in the last two years, up to 1.1 million hits per month, and over 6,500 weekly e-newsletter subscribers, all with no marketing
· developed the finest online foundation database in the state, containing more than 80,000 IRS-recognized nonprofit organizations and over 4,200 foundations in
Texas including the top 50 national foundations that give within the state
· published over 600 articles written by seasoned national consultants, nonprofits, and funders
· compiled RFP, wish list, volunteer, trustee, and job directories
· created a Virtual Guide to Texas Resource Centers, connecting Texas nonprofit organizations with resource centers and training throughout the State
· cultivated strong personal relationships with over 65% of the top 200 Texas foundations
· been a proponent of and partner in nonprofit capacity building, encouraging social responsibility, informed decision-making, and open dialogue

The quality and level of integration of our current services speak well of our organization. Our ongoing personal method of customer service, support capability and reputation, the cost effectiveness and cost savings of our services, and the expertise and experience we possess have become trademarks of TXNP and have drawn people to our site. TexasNonprofits is becoming a household name throughout the Texas nonprofit sector, securing its place as the definitive source of information on Texas philanthropy and the premier nonprofit clearinghouse of Texas.

We firmly believe that as our audience grows, so must our services. Our mission is to improve the lives of Texans by strengthening the capacity of nonprofits via the Internet. Our newsletter is designed to educate, stimulate, and connect those in the philanthropic sector.

We educate thru articles related to good management, fundraising, and marketing practices for nonprofits. We take many ideas used in the business world and translate them for nonprofits.We stimulate by identifying ideas of interest to nonprofits, showing them successful results and stimulating ideas to enhance creative solutions. We connect by writing in-depth stories about foundations and what projects they fund and why. We tell stories that link charitable causes to donors. When used effectively, our newsletter can give nonprofits the informaton, resources, and ideas that, when put to practice, can build their capacity and bolster a strong infrastructure. Improving the quality of our newsletter will allow us to further engage our readers and subscribers with enticing information that can greatly foster and reviatlize their organization’s efforts.

Won't you JOIN TXNP today?

Introducing TXNP.3 – absolutely new and cool!

Jacqueline Beretta — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 22:11:00 +0000

In our continual quest to improve our services we evolved – AGAIN! We believe that ideas come from some form of what already is. Innovation comes from the basis of an existing idea combined with something completely unexpected to produce an intriguing fresh idea. Today intersectional innovation is at an all time high as the world is so connected – so change is inevitable. As it is with TXNP, creative ideas can spread like a virus when all the right ingredients have come together into the intersection at the right time and place.

Welcome to TXNP.3! This version is the result of much thought and collaboration seasoned with great ideas harvested from foundations, corporations, and our members. The new site will simplify fundraising for our members with the new data bases, and members’ dashboard we have built to present all the information to members easily and quickly so that their valuable time can be spent on accomplishing their mission instead of fighting a painfully slow database.
Information on our homepage is updated every time new information is added thanks to new dynamic code. So news is fresh and relevant.

We have new sections of the site that will offer change that is fueled from groundbreaking originality that will allow nonprofits to leapfrog long and arduous research and quite possibly create new playing fields. The site and the fresh new data bases were designed and built by Dino Buiatti of New York and Marcos Hernandez of San Antonio.

We believe that we are innovators in the realm of information delivery and technology. But we promise that we have not forgotten you as individuals who, as part of the wheel that keeps this American machine moving steadily forward. We are honored to serve you.

A really cool Super Bowl spot launches effort to give girls self esteem

Jacqueline Beretta — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 11:21:00 +0000

You know, my favorite ads of the year are those that pop up during the Super Bowl! This year is no different....

Dove, yes, Dove...the beauty products company out of Greenwich, Connecticut...has developed a campaign to raise self esteem in girls. The program consists of outreach programs, and pr efforts including a spot during the Super Bowl on Sunday Feb, 5th. "The heart-tugging 45-second spot, created by Ogilvy & Mather and airing during Super Bowl XL, draws attention to the issue of self-esteem. It suggests ways adults can make a difference in how girls feel about themselves. Self-esteem issues will be brought to the forefront as the public will hear little girls speak big truths about their feelings. All throughout the spot, the voices of the members of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County Chorus from Long Island, New York can be heard singing a version of "True Colors."

And, by ther way, did you know that Dove has a Dove Self-Esteem Fund, which was developed to help raise self-esteem in girls and young women. In the United States, the Fund supports uniquely ME!, a partnership program with Girl Scouts of the USA that fosters self-esteem among girls ages 8 to 17 through educational resources and hands-on activities.

Check out their website at http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/

Remembering Ann Richards

Jacqueline Beretta — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 16:20:00 +0000

Please read this letter sent from Gretchen Ritter out to the faculty and students at the Center for Women's and Gender Studies at UT Austin:

Dear Friends,

We are all very saddened by the news of Governor Ann Richards' passing. She was an extraordinary woman, who enriched the lives of many. In addition to being the first woman elected governor of Texas on her own terms, Richards was one of the founders of the Foundation for Women's Resources, Leadership Texas, and the Women's Museum.

As her good friend Cathy Bonner said to the press last night, "Ann Richards is one of the most important women in American history. She came to political leadership at a time when women had to overcome all kinds of barriers and obstacles to get there. And she did it with determination, and good luck, and a real focus. She lived under a star, and she always felt like she lived under a star because she said, 'No matter what, I have had the most wonderful life, and I have gotten to do things that I never dreamed in my young life, living in little Lakeview, Texas.' "

As many of you know, Richards taught a course for some of our undergraduates last fall on Women, Life and Leadership. We felt very privileged to be able to offer that extraordinary opportunity to our students. She was also a supporter of the Center, as one of the original members of the CWGS 300 Club started by Lucia Gilbert on the mid-1990s.

Her family has asked that memorial donations be directed to the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders - which Richards was instrumental in starting last year. You can send your gifts to the Austin Community Foundation, P.O. Box 5159,Austin, Texas 78763, 512-472-4483, or by email: www.austincommunityfoundation.org.

Gretchen Ritter, PhD/ Director, Center for Women's & Gender Studies/ Associate Professor of Government & Gender Studies/ University of Texas at Austin
To learn more about this center visit http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/cwgs.

A new website offers us a mercury calculator - and blasts the fear of eating fish!

Jacqueline Beretta — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 13:33:01 +0000

From pr newswire - a story about a new website from the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom tackles the politics of fish fears, explaining that the health benefits of eating fish far outweigh the publicly exaggerated risks. www.fishscam.com puts these risks in their proper perspective and blows the whistle on environmental and animal-rights campaigns that irresponsibly hype fish fallacies. What a relief this is - Sushi Zushi - here I come!!

www.fishScam.com features a mercury-in-fish calculator based on the federal government's "Benchmark Dose Lower Limit" -- a measure of the lowest dose of mercury (in tuna and other fish) that government scientists believe might put the public's health at risk. Similar calculators run by the Environmental Working Group and other activist organizations instead use the Environmental Protection Agency's mercury "Reference Dose" -- which is 1,000 percent lower than this "Benchmark" level.

By focusing the public's attention on the wrong number, green groups are using tiny amounts of mercury in fish to generate a needless public outcry -- and to raise money.

"The amount of mercury that might actually be harmful is many times greater than what Americans get from the fish on their plates," said Center for Consumer Freedom Director of Research David Martosko. "The real harm threshold is ten times greater than what some activist groups want us to consider 'unsafe.' The best science indicates that you shouldn't worry about mercury in your diet unless you eat a massive amount of fish. We're showing the public what the fearmongers won't."

In addition to the Internet's first realistic mercury-in-fish calculator, FishScam.com provides point-by-point rebuttals to the fish scares promoted by over a dozen activist groups, and sets the record straight on often-repeated mercury myths. It also offers science-based information about mercury, activist boycotts of Atlantic swordfish and Chilean sea bass, and flawed animal-rights arguments about whether or not fish feel pain.

"Fish is good for you," added Martosko. "Baseless anxiety isn't. Fish have been an integral part of the human diet since the first caveman learned to sharpen a stick. But today's green groups increasingly see seafood as an ideal platform for fighting eco-battles and raising money.

Americans need to be reminded that the health benefits of eating fish are very real, while the risks are largely imaginary."

The Center for Consumer Freedom is a nonprofit coalition supported by restaurants, food companies, and consumers, working together to promote personal responsibility and protect consumer choices.

Something for funders to think about - important

Jacqueline Beretta — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 18:49:00 +0000

Last week I met a young Trinity University student who is very interested in pursuing a career in the nonprofit world. She has everything it takes to be quite an asset to the industry. Intelligent, focused, business like, empathetic, and nice…..she is looking at going the nonprofit way with her marketing degree from the best liberal arts college in the region.

Telling her father about this on a recent trip home, the successful businessman asked, “OK sweetheart, you can pursue this passion to help the world out, but how will you pay the bills? You know nonprofit incomes aren’t enough to live on.” Good point! She stepped back to think about her options. Perhaps she should give the decision a little more time?

I can’t believe we are letting this happen every day. These extremely bright young people have great for profit options. Companies are hungry for talent that have liberal arts backgrounds because they can mix business principles with history and the arts, and the creativity that comes form these things when combined.

And it does have to do with salaries….because mortgages must b e paid, kids need to be educated, and mouths need to be fed. Working in the nonprofit world does not mean you are a nonprofit now, does it? In order to attract young talent we have got to pay reasonable wages.

We need this talent and we need to reward good work. After all, more and more we are realizing that it’s not going to be the government or politicians who make the changes we need to make – it’s US!!! So please funders, understand that nonprofits need a little help to attract and hire the best so that they can design and implement the best of the best! Do it now, or we’ll loose them to for profits.

Leap of Americans Without Health Care Not Confined to Low Income Groups

Jacqueline Beretta — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 21:13:00 +0000

It was surprising to hear this week that our health care system is serving fewer and fewer of us each year... omitting segments of our society that we would naturally assume would enjoy care.

The US Census Bureau announced this week that 1.3 million Americans lost health care in the last five years, and the number of Americans who have no health insurance at all has grown to 6.8 million. This is a jump from 39.8 million in 2000 to 46.6 million in 2005.

You would think that this jump was mainly due to increases in segments of the society that are less affluent. Wrong! This year's increse was mainly concentrated in young households with incomes more than $50,000.

Dr. Henry Simmons, President of the National Coalition on Health Care said, "These surging uninsurance rates are not the result of a poor economy. On the contrary, these increases have taken place despite robust economic growth. The latest jump in the number of Americans unprotected by health coverage is a clear signal that what we are doing now is not working. We need, without delay, a major national debate about how to address America's health care crisis before the crisis deepens further."

Getting on a plane soon? Here are the rules...

Jacqueline Beretta — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 15:18:00 +0000

There is alot of conversation going around about what you can take on a plane and what you can't these days.....and then there are the screening rules, and the hours and so on.

The Transportation Secruity Administration have published guidelines for about every kind of transportation known to man. Go take a look at their site - http://www.tsa.gov/travelers. It's really well done and explains everything you need to know before going to the airport, getting on a ship, a train or even a bus or subway.

If you take these steps proactively you won't have any surprises to complain about and you will be protecting your most valuable asset - yourself!

A slight oversight I noticed though - they don't have any rules for riding a horse!

I vow I will Diet & Exercise Now!! But did you say you have nachos and margaritas now?

Jacqueline Beretta — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 21:27:00 +0000

I promise - right this minute I'm going to start an all out exercise program and a new healthy diet!! I absolutely swear I'll do because I want to be healthy and in great shape! Let me run go put on my exercise gear and I'll be right back. What did you just whisper? OK - so ...... did you just say you had margaritas in the blender and bean and cheese nachos and a bowl of fresh guacamole?! Ok - be right there.....uhhhh ....the diet???? How 'bout tomorrow - and maybe I'll start exercising tomorrow too.... Uh oh - I have that meeting tomorrow morning at that terrific mexican food place....I have to have their papas rancheros! I love them so much!! Maybe after breakfast then....

Does that sound familiar? I think I do this about twice a week. Then I have to start remembering - Jackie - you have tasted that before - you know exactly what it tastes like and you will have it again soon if you just do what I (my concience) tells you!!! You must take responsibility for your health now.... no more excuses! I kept dancing this dance until I visited Lubbock's and heard Dr. Paula Grammas, the doctor who is so deep into the study of Alzheimer's disease. We also had the opportunity to visit a home that is also a research center for the disease. Precious older people in various stages of dementia convinced me that I would take action now to make sure I have a very long and fruitful life and know that I am doing it.

I want you to know that I came home and cleaned up my life! Exercise every day and good diet – no more "tomorrow". I am making changes today because I have a lot to do! When I am where I really want to be - bring on those nachos!!! But until then bring on the spices and the herbs....and the hot sauce!

Have you ever thought that you a part of a magnificent fine tuned socially responsible machine?

Jacqueline Beretta — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 01:42:00 +0000

It was a goal of our founding fathers. A creative way to leverage change…. encouraging social connectedness and assuming responsibility for the quality of life all our citizens have.

Our Democratic fathers encouraged all of us to invest in our infrastructure to promote positive and strategic solutions to drive change.

It means that when people with a common purpose unite for a common goal, more is accomplished than by a lone person trying to accomplish something. More research can be carried out, more people can be educated and more good can be attained. Knowledge feeds off of knowledge. When people have the right to, and take advantage of their right to unite - so many great things are accomplished.

Apply this to philanthropy. You have wealthy individuals with the intent to make change opt to contribute a portion of their assets into a vehicle called a foundation. They define their mission and goals with the purpose of dispersing a portion of its value annually to nonprofits that mirror their mission. It’s two entities coming together – one with funds and the other with the capability of transforming communities.

By working together instead of apart, doors to funding are more readily opened as granting institutions are impressed with organizations that are serious enough about the issues to find the best possible road to a solution that makes sense. It’s called collaboration – sounds simple but it is a big job.

“May the force be with you” - Obi-Wan Kenobi

Jacqueline Beretta — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 16:48:00 +0000

I am a baby boomer. I admit it – and I do so with pride. Want to know why?

Let me tell you a little bit about our generation. Baby boomers have great power. Because of our numbers, unprecedented education, access to technology and financial resources, we are blessed with the gift of influence. We are versatile and creative.

We like to move in herds while maintaining our uniqueness. We ask lots and lots of questions in an effort to find the truth. We have pretty much done everything for ourselves that there is to do – and yet we know there is so much more to life.

We believe we are not accidents, and we know we are here for a purpose. We now think we matter to history and wish to be instrumental in creating a great future for our descendants.

I believe we are coming into our own, and aging beautifully. When presented with the facts and greater understanding of the world and its people, we have opted to work hard to make sure we leave this planet in better condition than we found it. As Daniel Kadlec said in USA Today last week – we are the ME generation becoming the WE generation. WE are not sitting down idly accepting a fate we know is unacceptable. We found out there is great enjoyment and satisfaction in helping others.

We want to live successfully, and success is now defined as making the world a better place. We realize that we face so many challenges and puzzles today on our planet.

Some Baby boomers are choosing to retire; only to take on a cause they deem important…one that will give greater meaning and purpose to the lives of others in their community. Whether we choose to retire or not, we are finding ways to have significance of purpose in understanding and addressing human needs and inequities.

What drives us as a group? I think it’s the Force. If you are young, you might ask what exactly is the Force? The Force is described by Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars as "an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together." Baby boomers, including me, were influenced heavily by Star Wars and the battle between good (healing, generosity, goodwill, and compassion) and evil (hostility, anger, evil, terror, hate).

Yes fellow Baby boomers - we have ideas big enough to change he world, and we realize everyday that we have the power to execute them as well with hard work. We also know that good begets good….and the Force is with us.

How do we unlock our potential? We can start by looking inside to find what each of us has to give. What do you have that you can give? Wealth , a network, intelligence, ideas, etc… if you have great idea – let me know – let someone know – lets not waste precious time. We have a lot to accomplish in a relatively short period of time – so let’s get going now! Let’s go out with as big a celebration as we came in with and leave this world a better place!

Meadows Foundation is a First Responder

Jacqueline Beretta — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 12:18:00 +0000

There's something truly comforting about knowing that there is someone anticipating and reacting to our needs. The Meadows Foundation in Dallas is constantly staying abreast of critical situations that effect Texans, and then doing something about it.....fast.

As the summer heat soars, it is having an adverse effect on many of the elderly shut-ins, ill, and low-income citizens living without air conditioning. As has been a practice in past years when heat threatens lives in our community, The Meadows Foundation looks for ways to help. Last week, the Foundation contacted county officials and learned that they are receiving up to 300 calls a day from citizens seeking help. Fans are not adequate when temperatures are in the 100’s. The Dallas area has already experienced two heat-related deaths.

Out of the emergency/disaster authority granted to the president by the Foundation’s board, two grants have recently been awarded toward helping the heat relief effort in the Dallas area:
A grant of $48,000 was given the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services to cover the cost and installation of 300 window air-conditioning units. The units were installed in residences of identified individuals immediately.

A grant of $10,000 was given to the Senior Source (formerly Senior Citizens) to provide assistance to low-income seniors who cannot pay their electric bills. This grant should encourage seniors to use their air conditioners, knowing they can afford to pay their higher electrical bills.

"It is important for foundations to respond in times of crisis. Our relationship with service providers helps us identify points of intervention in times of need, and our independence allows us to be of immediate help to those who may suffer," said Linda P. Evans, president and CEO of The Meadows Foundation.

And the cherry on top? Meadows Foundation staff will continue to monitor this situation throughout the summer to determine if additional grant assistance is needed.

A new breed of philanthrocapitalists are putting tools in place to get a big bang for their buck

Jacqueline Beretta — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 04:16:00 +0000

We all know that Bill & Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet have created a very exciting new partnership that has the potential to initiate great change around the world. It is becoming increasingly more evident every day that the world needs more great business minds to solve it’s greatest riddles – those, as Mr. Buffet says, “ have already resisted both intellect and money.”

The Economist just coined a new term to refer to social entrepreneurship or venture philanthropy: and it is called ‘philanthrocapitalism’. This mighty big word describes the idea that our today’s mega-philanthropists are taking a new approach to giving. Instead of writing checks to traditional pet causes that merely feel good, they are using more businesslike methods of measuring cost-benefit evaluations of what potential gifts might achieve. It’s all about applying business applications to social issues, and then measuring their success.

Today donors are concerned with the effectiveness of the programs they support and what difference they make on the people they serve. Measuring outputs and outcomes will be the key to successful funding in the future.

Here’s an example. You contribute $20,000 to an organization to print and distribute a brochure to 5,000 people in your community in an effort to raise awareness for dental hygiene. This is the output. The big test will be the outcome – can the organization show measurable results by those who received the brochures and followed the directions? In the end, did your money make a difference – could you see visible results from the distribution of the brochure?Taking this further, the Economist suggests that both donors and organizations make sure that any failures are documented. Changes could then be implemented to get the projects back on course.

For donors who want to ensure that their money is being used to the greatest use, efficiently and economically making this community a better place, this sounds like the solution. Like any successful investor will tell you, an invested dollar should show a good rate of return.