Corrections or additions?
This article was prepared for the March 17, 2004 issue of U.S. 1
Newspaper. All rights reserved.
Between the Lines
How in the world did we come up with a cover story on philanthropic
giving for this issue? Partly it was just simple reporting. Mary Ann
Davidson, one of the several dozen people who deliver our newspaper
each Wednesday, found Princeton Social Capital shortly after furniture
was delivered to its new Alexander Road offices. We called for
information, checked out the company’s website, and became intrigued
by its business. Non-profit M&A? Social capital? What was it all
about?
Jordan Karpowitz, principal in Faculty Road-based Ensign
Communications and communications specialist for Princeton Social
Capital, set up an appointment with Curt Bassett, the company’s
founder. We found his take on how the unimaginably wealthy can best
divest themselves of their money fascinating, and turned his interview
into a feature.
Meanwhile, senior editor Barbara Fox had been pushing for an article
on philanthropy consultant Dana Lichtstrahl. Fox had come across
Lichtstrahl in the course of reporting another story, and thought her
business of bringing together corporations and non-profits in mutually
beneficial partnerships was worth a story.
Putting the two together, we realized, would give some extra depth to
the coverage of modern-day philanthropy, which is exploding in
popularity with a group that used to be called the nouveau riche.
Setting up mechanisms through which new billionaires can fund causes
of all sorts is Princeton Social Capital’s niche.
Lichtstrahl, meanwhile, looks at philanthropy from a different angle.
She seeks to bring together non-profits, many of which are struggling
in a belt-tightening environment, with companies of all sizes. Her
mission is to show each side how it can benefit from forming a
relationship.
From there it was partly luck. Noting that this Wednesday was St.
Patrick’s Day, we knew we needed some way to put some green on the
cover. And what says “green” better than money? In keeping with the
spirit of St. Patrick, missionary and founder of churches and schools,
the issue is not about hoarding the green, but rather about sending it
out to perform good works.
From there it was just a matter of handing the material off to the
right writer – appropriately named Kathleen McGinn Spring – and then
finding a sympathetic headline writer to evoke some of the old sod –
the old guy around here who pronounces his name Ryan all year ’round.
And that’s the truth – no blarney.
In the March 10 issue an editing error in the art review (page 31)
mistakenly identified “Hearing Voices: Personal Narratives” at the
Gallery at Bristol-Myers Squibb as part of the “Transcultural New
Jersey” initiative. The show is an independent effort, unaffiliated
with the state initiative.
Those interested in signing up for summer camp at Princeton Friends
School should call the camp number (609-924-8619) rather than the
Princeton Friends Meeting number that was printed in the camp issue of
March 3.
Corrections or additions?
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