A spectre haunts philanthropy, the spectre of satire - just when we thought that things had returned to normal, as Men in Philanthropy went dark, here comes Philanthrocrap, by Tracy Kaufman, the world's greatest 14 year old expert on philanthropy. (Actually she seems to be a well-read 24 year old.) Here is a prose sample:
Today’s post may not feature a nonprofit-related question, but it does feature a link to an absolutely glorious new book by Michael Edwards from the Ford Foundation. It’s called Just Another Emperor? The Myths and Realities of Philanthrocapitalism, and it tears social entrepreneurship a new asshole.
Tracy's post reminds me of an old Far Side cartoon in which the cowboys cower behind their wagon as the Indians launch fire-arrows into the canvas canopy. The caption reads, "Can they do that?" The answer is that in philanthropy, Tracy, you can't use bad language. Philanthropy is genteel. Do not scandalize our generous patrons and social investors please. It is bad for business.
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