IDEAS / Q & A – Phil Hall

Robert Moses and Jane Jacobs stand as mythical figures in the history of urban planning and represent two sharply different approaches. Moses was a builder of epic proportions, whereas Jacobs was known for her preservationist work. Moses operated unilaterally, whereas Jacobs was rooted in community and organized successfully against two Moses projects.  Moses was a great strategist.  As an advocate of “organized complexity” Jacobs veered close to anarchy. These two giants helped to reshape urban life.  Phil Hall of GMA Foundations explains what they might teach present-day philanthropy. Continue Reading »

BOOK REVIEW

By Phil Hall

Summary: Most philanthropy in the United States is dedicated to life in cities.  Similarly, the iconic urbanists Jane Jacobs and Robert Moses are best remembered for their contributions to cities.  Their struggle between grand plans to transform cities versus a more organic and democratic process that prizes citizen involvement continues to this day.  Phil Hall explores what funders can learn from these two extraordinary people.

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The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network recently announced its 2010 Nonprofit Excellence Award Winners. Sociedad Latina, a grantee of numerous foundations at GMA Foundations, received the Nonprofit Advocacy Award.  The Jericho Road Project, which received seed-funding from the Theodore Edson Parker Foundation, won the Nonprofit Capacity-Building Award. East End House, a grantee of the Clipper Ship Foundation, won the Nonprofit Management Award.

A full list of nominees and award winners can be found at www.massnonprofitnet.org.