"In this provocative expose, the former CEO and COO of National Public Radio takes a critical view of today's nonprofit world, calling for reform and a redefinition of what constitutes a charity. For anyone who has given time or money to not-for-profits, Stern's critique will prove both disturbing and thought-provoking; he questions the value and efficacy of the more than 1.4 million not-for-profit organizations in the U.S., asserting that this industry is beholden to anecdotes rather than the rigorous study of results, leaving "little credible evidence that many charitable organizations produce lasting social value." Stern systematically cites the failures and foibles of organizations like the Red Cross, as well as calling out college bowl games and college sports as multimillion-dollar organizations with charitable status. In addition, he discusses fraud, excessive compensation, and the lack of oversight from regulators. Donors, Stern argues, are frequently uninformed, give reactively, and often unintentionally create more harm than good. Stern's praises organizations like the Gates Foundation, which have created a culture of accountability and measurement, and devotes a short chapter to what is necessary for reform to occur. An engrossing read, this look at the evolution and current state of the charitable world is sure to stimulate debate" (Publishers Weekly)
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