Join us on Tuesday, September 2, at noon Eastern time for a live online discussion about the pros and cons of general operating support — and how nonprofit groups can find donors willing to give them unrestricted dollars to cover their expenses.

Eighty percent of the money that foundations distribute to charitable causes is earmarked for charity programs and other purposes, so it cannot be used for basic operating costs like utilities, rent, supplies, and clerical help.

Many grant makers say they earmark most of their grants out of concern that otherwise the nonprofit groups will become too dependent. And they say it is too hard to measure the specific results of an unrestricted grant.

But in recent years, a handful of grant makers have become more willing to provide money for operating costs. Advocates of operating support say nonprofit groups can be more innovative and manage their operations better if they don’t have to worry about following a grant maker’s instructions for how every dollar should be used.

The guest will be Paul Shoemaker, executive director of Social Venture Partners Seattle, an organization that provides unrestricted grants and other aid to nonprofit groups.

The Chronicle’s online discussions are free and open to everyone. People who ask questions in advance have a better chance of getting answers.