Randy Cohen, author of The Ethicist column in The New York Times Magazine, says Americans who are inclined to make a contribution to Harvard University should give half of their intended donation to less well-off institutions, notes Give and Take, The Chronicle’s column summarizing the most-interesting blog posts about the nonprofit world.

Plus, in Wednesday’s roundup:

• Foundations in the northwest get creative amid plan to decrease their giving in 2009 by 10 percent or more.

• Questions about the value of supporting scholarships for students in developing countries.

• Nonprofit online newspapers quickly learn how to raise money.