Even in areas of the country with the most robust economies, demand for food aid has risen 20 percent since June, and in areas where the economy is weakest, demand is up more than 40 percent, reports The New York Times in a special philanthropy section.

The newspaper also examines the fallout of the economic crisis on philanthropy and asks experts if the nonprofit world, like the housing and financial markets, was riding a wave that has finally wiped out.

Among the other articles in the special section:

• A growing number of new foundations,
  such as the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, are using business approaches that radically depart from those of traditional foundations.

• Therapy dogs and the nonprofit groups that train them are turning out to be an important part of helping veterans severely disabled in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

• A Boston doctor makes house calls to the homeless.

• The Kauffman Foundation tackles the problem of America’s growing lack of innovation.

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