Philamplify is an invaluable contribution to those of us who care deeply about the health of the field of philanthropy. Most of us recognize that the field has been slow
(reluctant) to engage in either self-criticism or in cross-institutional review. This is one reason why it is hard to define philanthropy as a “profession” – the core essence of professionalism is the establishment of field norms and the mechanisms for assessing compliance with those norms. Some of us have felt for years that philanthropy should attempt to professionalize itself, and Philamplify is one of the few serious attempts to identify neutral norms and to evaluate institutions objectively in accordance with them. The case studies you have published thus far strike me as well-researched, intelligently analyzed, and fair. I am all admiration for what NCRP is doing with this initiative, and I very much hope you will find the resources to carry it forward as an ongoing contribution to the progress of our field.
- Stan Katz, Director, Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies, Princeton University