Our state faces unprecedented challenges – and opportunities – to tackle some extraordinary issues facing our communities. Minnesota grantmakers know they must play a role in the search for solutions. How does the new legislative leadership view philanthropy’s role?
We asked Sen. Amy Koch (R-Buffalo), the new senate majority leader. She authored an article, “Perspectives from the Minnesota Legislature,” for our latest issue of Giving Forum.
She draws parallels between the legislature and philanthropy:
“Foundations are not dissimilar to the legislature; we have responsibilities to constituencies, the fundamental tenets of which have a variety of aspects, not the least of which is fiscal accountability. Foundations and state government must balance the needs of our constituencies with the effective allocation of limited resources – and maximize the impact of each dollar spent.”
To read more of Sen. Koch’s perspectives on creating a leaner government, balancing constituency needs with fiscal accountability, and developing a more efficient tax policy to maximize dollar impact, check out the Winter 2011 issue of Giving Forum, which focuses on how grantmakers are deploying creativity and boldness – in addition to resources – to take on some of the worst disparities and community crises we’ve faced.
- Chris Murakami Noonan, MCF communications associate
What the esteemed Senator is failing to discern in her comments is that foundations, while obligated to report on their assets, are private entities; government is accountable to the public.
Thanks for commenting, Denise. Foundations are private entities as you note, and, as a result, the need for accountability and transparency is paramount in the minds of grantmakers to ensure continued trust in the field.
MCF members, for example, have developed a set of principles and guidelines to assist foundations in upholding the law and maintaining the highest level of ethical standards in their work. If you’d like to learn more about these principles, check out our website.
-Cary Lenore Walski
MCF web communications associate
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by OnlyFoundations and TCLISC, MCF. MCF said: MN Sen. Amy Koch writes on how foundations and the legislature are similar in key ways. Read more on her observations – http://bit.ly/eFsynX [...]