July 27, 2009, The Wall Street Journal — It is often noted that, after billions of dollars in government spending over the past several decades, we have seen precious little progress in solving American’s major social problems, from family breakdown to dysfunctional schools. But what about America’s nonprofit sector—organizations that concentrate their efforts on exactly such problems, with money from charities, trusts and personal philanthropies? They too spend enormous sums. Is their record any better?