Network-Centric Philanthropy

06:00 PM Aug 24, 2006

Michael Gilbert recently surveyed grantmakers and -seekers on the matter of providing grant information in RSS/metadata form, and everyone thinks it's a good idea.

I only wonder if the interest among funders in RSS feeds is more an interest in each others' feeds more so than an interest in sharing one's own feed with the world.  This one seems like it might need a supermajority to overcome some foundations' control impulse, though a couple bright sparks out there are sure to run with it sooner than later.

The mashups are delicious to contemplate, of course, and dreams of funding efficiencies tickle the fancies of donors and donees alike.  But really -- will foundations fear that making nominally public but arcane data easily accessible in this bloggish form encourages sharper  and more public critiques of their funding calls, with unwashed masses getting muddy footprints all over the inner sancta?  Progressive foundations in general haven't been ripped up by friendly fire on Kos or Talking Points Memo for backing Ineffectual Organization A and stiffing Plucky Underdog B all while their funding areas neglect The True Burning Issue Of Our Times. (Soros may catch flak from Instapundit, of course, but that's a different ballgame.)

It's only a matter of time, right?

Alas ... and all without a Tutor for a guide.

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