David R. Jones

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 16, 2009  — The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy announced today the election of Ana Garcia-Ashley, Joy Persall, Cynthia Renfro and Gerald L. Taylor to the organization’s board of directors.

The new report by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) has sparked a lively discussion in the world of philanthropy. Unfortunately, a number of groups have sought to discredit Criteria for Philanthropy at Its Best: Benchmarks to Assess and Enhance Grantmaker Impact by perpetuating misinformation regarding the content of the report and the intent of the organization. NCRP is pushing back to dispel those myths and refocus the debate on the important issues raised in Criteria.

Grantmakers are not delivering as much social benefit as they could, according to the new Criteria for Philanthropy at Its Best: Benchmarks to Assess and Enhance Grantmaker Impact by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy.  The criteria, to be released on Tuesday at the National Press Club, is the first ever set of measurable guidelines foundations and other grantmaking institutions can use to maximize their contributions to society and make a positive difference in the world today.