N National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) TULLIA HAMILTON Address of Organization 2001 S St. NW, Suite 620 Washington, DC 20009 USA www.ncrp.org Introduction NCRP is an advocacy and watchdog group that seeks to reform philanthropy by promoting accountability, trans- parency, and social justice in philanthropic giving. NCRP believes that community needs should drive philanthropy rather than the prerogatives of wealthy donors. Brief History NCRP was founded in 1976 as the successor of the Donee Group of the Filer Commission. Initiated by John Rockefeller in 1973, the Filer Commission was charged with studying philanthropic giving and to making recom- mendations on ways to strengthen the sector. Led by Pablo Eisenberg, a number of direct service and social action agencies known as the Donee Group protested the lack of grantee involvement in the Commission’s work. In re- sponse to the protest, the Commission gave the Group a consultative role. The report of the Donee Group was published along with the Commission’s findings in 1975, but for the most part was not part of the Commission’s final recommendations. When the Commission ended its work, the Donee Group continued as the NCRP with Robert Bothwell serving as its first CEO. Mission NCRP promotes philanthropy that serves the public good, is responsive to people and communities with the least wealth and opportunity, focuses on the needs of grantee organizations, and is held accountable to the highest stan- dards of integrity and openness. Activities NCRP achieves its mission through research and advocacy. Over the years, it has conducted research on: financial accountability of foundations, philanthropic support for the agenda of the religious right, the effect of bank mergers on charitable giving, rural philanthropy, and the impor- tance of general operating support for grantees. Advocacy by NCRP involves public education as well as offering testimony and advice to congressional bodies and regulatory entities responsible for overseeing philan- thropy. Among the public policy issues raised by NCRP are changes in the estate tax, efforts to curtail the ability of nonprofit organizations to lobby, increased government oversight of foundation activities, increased disclosure of corporate giving, and increasing the payout require- ment of private foundations. Recent activities include calling attention to abuses in donor advised funds and supporting organizations. NCRP is frequently sought out by the press for its expertise. Structure and Governance Located in Washington, D.C., NCRP is organized as a public charity under the regulations of the IRS. The board is self-perpetuating and its members tend to be drawn from the types of entities for which NCRP advo- cates. Board terms are 3-years in length and members serve without compensation. The board is responsible for employing the CEO. The organization also has a membership structure. These members however, play no role in the organization’s governance. Funding As a public charity NCRP’s support comes from the public, most of it in the form of foundation grants. Accomplishments NCRP’s most important accomplishment has been in the area of federated giving. One of its earliest targets was United Way. Because of its monopoly on workplace giving and control by the corporate sector, membership in United Way was not only an important source of support for human service agencies, but also a seal of approval. NCRP encouraged local United Ways to include in their campaigns nonprofit organizations that had emerged from H. Anheier, S. Toepler (eds.), International Encyclopedia of Civil Society, DOI 10.1007/978-0-387-93996-4, # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010