This article hits at the heart of my recents thoughts on non-profit health care and non-profit research. I admire the idea of non-profits because they “work for a purpose, not a profit.” However, this article begs the idea, why is it so hard to do the right thing when there is some profit to be had? Is some profit and “doing the right thing” truly mutually exclusive? I’m not so sure it’s as black and white as one has come to expect. In fact, the article talks about non-profits becoming savvy at building up their coffers while still maintaining their mission. The article further talks about non-profits operating like “philanthropic banks” and leveraging their money. Could this work? … non-profits bringing in more funds, without trying to maximize their profits, and push their mission forward. Or does money, even in moderate amounts, always corrupt? Is there a happy balance? Perhaps it all depends on the individual spirit.
I’d like to see more of this approach to research funding and health care.
