The Chronicle of Philanthropy | Social Services

Innovative Grants to Aid the Poor Draw Top Honors

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EDT

Michele Prichard, of the Liberty Hill Foundation, has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Council on Foundations.

A Social-Service Group Helps Workers Stretch Their Pay at an In-House Grocery

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EDT

A long-term health-care group allows workers to earn credits they can use to buy food and other items.

Social-Service Groups Urged to Link Workers With Government Safety-Net Programs

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EDT

Catholic Charities, Goodwill, and other national charities are testing a new effort financed with $1-million from the Ford Foundation.

Service Charities Seek Ways to Help Low-Paid Employees Get By

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EDT

Nonprofits are helping workers get safety-net benefits and training to get better salaries. But as the economy improves, that may not be enough to keep workers on the job.

Teaching Busy Social-Service Workers About Management Faces a Snag

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EDT

Golden Gate University's offer to provide instruction gets a warm reception, but employees were so overburdened with their day jobs, many couldn't complete a continuing-education program.

Searching for Solutions: One Fund's Approach

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EDT

In importing new charity programs to Boston, GreenLight vets candidate organizations thoroughly to make sure their services are a good fit in the community.

A Boston Nonprofit Imports Top Groups to Fight Poverty

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EDT

The GreenLight Fund, founded by a Boston venture capitalist, seeks out one innovative group a year. The effort is now expanding to other cities.

Feed the Children Names New CEO

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EDT

Kevin Hagan, chief operating official at Good360, says he was Initially reluctant to take the position but was won over by the board's assurance that it was committed to fixing past problems.

Red Cross Gives Local Leaders a Bigger Voice

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EDT

A major restructuring is designed to help raise more money and minimize duplication, as well as give affiliates more time to do work in their communities.

Charities Must Stand Up to States

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST

Some nonprofits will face closure, or drastic cuts in aid to clients, if they keep tolerating the financial squeeze from government agencies.

Making the Internet More Accessible

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST

Judy Brewer directs a project that developed guidelines for how Web sites can best make their content available to people with disabilities.

A Charity Helps Military Widows Reclaim Their Lives

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST

The American Widow Project sponsors frequent retreats in which small groups congregate to share their grief and memories while participating in activities such as skydiving, rock climbing, and sailing.

President Looks to Expand Promise-Neighborhoods Program

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:25:00 EST

Mr. Obama sought $100-million for the program, $40-million more than it gets now.

Joining Forces to Fight Community Problems: What Makes a Difference

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Community groups find that the coalition approach can be more successful than a single program in tackling social problems that have defied solutions, such as low reading scores or teenage pregnancy.

What Would Founder Jane Addams Think of Hull House Demise?

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST

The Nobel Prize winner who is considered the founder of the social-service movement probably wouldn't recognize the organization she created, says one scholar.

Collapse of Famous Hull House Charity Could Be an Omen

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST

Nonprofit leaders say the high-profile casualty of the recession could mark the start of more closures. But it is also a case study in the missteps many charities make, say experts.

Susan Dreyfus Rejoins Families International as Chief Executive

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST

New executive regards the group's late director, Peter Goldberg, as an important mentor.

New Poverty Figures Offer Lessons for Grant Makers

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

Nonprofit aid to people who face temporary setbacks, such as loss of a job or an illness, can make a big dent in reducing the number of poor Americans.

Lessons in Financial Management Pay Off

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

The Wallace Foundation's effort to help afterschool groups learn to strengthen their organizations is helping them survive the tough economy and improve the quality of their programs.

Greater Openness About Finances Helps Chicago Charity

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago now gets its whole staff involved in budgeting and monitoring expenses.

A Dynamic CEO Keeps Food Charity’s Cupboards Full

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

Feeding America has tripled cash donations and greatly increased food contributions since Vicki Escarra took over the charity five years ago.

Charities Brace for Budget Fights After 'Super Committee’ Failure

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Congressional impasse could lead to large across-the-board cuts that affect a wide range of social and community services.

Grooming Talent: How Leadership Programs Can Help

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

A Bank of America effort shows that a focus on pairing chief executives and aspiring leaders of nonprofits can have powerful effects.

Charity’s Photos Capture Precious Moments of Terminally Ill Kids

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

The Tiny Sparrow Foundation enlists professional photographers as volunteers to develop photo albums for families.

Food Carts Roll in New Opportunities for Charities to Reach Out

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

Nonprofits are creating mobile farmers' markets, nurturing small businesses and calling attention to social needs and cultural events.

Helping Budding Innovators Develop Ideas

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EDT

A Washington group gives money and other help to people with innovative solutions for helping people out of poverty.