Philanthropy Project Awarded!

Exciting news: The Philanthropy Project has just received the Pablo Eisenberg Memorial Prize from the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP).

We could not be more honored. Pablo Eisenberg has been called “a folk hero for grassroots nonprofits” who frequently criticized foundations as “gutless wonders” and called out mega-donors for funding the wrong things and/ not funding enough,” NCRP said:

“Jan [Masaoka] and Jon [Pratt] have for decades been truth-tellers and thoughtful critics of philanthropy. Their latest joint effort, The Philanthropy Project, seeks to focus attention on the need for appropriate regulation and public accountability for tax-favored philanthropic wealth. Pablo appreciated their work, and I know he would be incredibly pleased that they are receiving this award that bears his name.”

We know the effort for regulatory philanthropic and tax reform is a long one. This recognition when the Philanthropy Project is only a year old means so much to us. It’s also a fun honor to follow Prize recipient Vu Le, the sharp-eyed and sharp-tongued writer of Nonprofit AF. And a quote from Pablo Eisenberg that Jon cited when we accepted the award in Minneapolis:

“What sense does it make to sit on billions in endowments while communities are starving for help? The moral case for increasing payouts is overwhelming.”

And NCRP: we are glad to be allies with you in the fight for reform.