Pushing Foundations Toward the Common Good

Mark Rosenman, director of Caring to Change, in Washington.

Enlarge Image

By Peter Panepento

Foundations have long attempted to promote change through their grant-making efforts.

But focusing on specific issues, rather than the common good, often undermines their effectiveness, says Mark Rosenman, director of Caring to Change, a project in Washington that seeks to improve how grant making serves the public.

He says foundations can be more effective in their grant making and can solve more problems by adopting a broader mindset.

In an interview, he discusses this notion, which is outlined in the new report Foundations for the Common Good. You can also read an opinion article Mr. Rosenman wrote for The Chronicle as a preview of the report.