Brad Rourke’s Blog
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Join Me for a Conversation: Philanthropy's Role in Free Speech, Press, and Religion
One terrific benefit of working in the philanthropic sector is the opportunity to attend the Council on Foundations’ annual meeting. This major event invariably brings together significant thinkers who share their learning and insights with foundations, which are a key part of the social sector and arguably one of the most important leverage points. This year…
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Outlines of True Faith
This morning, I wrote this in my journal, my letter to whatever the force is that drives the universe: What would it mean to lead a life of true faith? I would trust absolutely – trust that all I need would be provided, that no trial would be greater than I could bear. I would also…
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Four Weeks of Spiritual Practice
This morning marks four full weeks of daily spiritual work: prayer, reading, journaling, and meditation. I have done each of these things every morning since the year began. Here’s how it’s gone.
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Why I Want To Be A Boomerang Household
I want to be a countervailing force. I want my house to be, and remain, an intergenerational beacon.
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Immigration: Stalemate or Progress?
The way difficult issues like immigration are framed by policy leaders and experts is often at odds, or at least out of step with, the way in which people see those issues. Where the dominant political discourse frequently sees conflict, people in communities are wrestling with tensions among the things they hold valuable. The question…
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A Guide to Framing Issues for Public Deliberation
People often talk about issue framing as some kind of specialized skill that only certain people can do — or that takes huge amounts of money, people, time, and other resources. But we’ve learned that it is relatively straightforward and really just takes a careful attentiveness to a few principles and key ideas.
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Robin Williams and Ordinary Tragedy [UPDATED]
What to say about the death of Robin Williams. It is tragic and like so many I feel a deep sense of loss. It’s funny how you feel like you come to know certain celebrities solely by the cues you pick up from their roles and interviews and what is written about them. As if…
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New Report: Philanthropy and the Limits of Accountability
I’m delighted to announce the publication of a new report, a joint effort by the Kettering Foundation and Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE), of which I am the author. Philanthropy and the Limits of Accountability: A Relationship of Respect and Clarity explores how the field of organized philanthropy might think about responding to a growing movement for…
Brad Rourke 