L.A. Foundations

* I strongly disagree with Xandra Kayden’s implied criticism of the reluctance of Los Angeles foundations to fund policy analysis (Opinion, Nov. 22).

In the 20 years since California voters passed Prop. 13, the nonprofit sector has increasingly been expected to provide what would previously have been considered public services. In most cases, the major conclusion of any policy study, particularly in the health care sector, would be that increased government funding is needed. Instead of sending foundation staff members to conferences, the most responsible foundations support start-up costs, capital expenditures and even (in the best cases) operating expenses for programs that don’t have enough government support. Every nonprofit organization is adept at measuring community needs and describing them in grant proposals.

At this point in history, foundation funding would be best used to pay health care professionals to treat the sore throats and other illnesses, rather than to study how much unmet need there is.

To make a policy difference, we need to change the prevailing attitude that taxes are bad, and that government services are wasteful. In the meantime, foundations will rightly be asked to fund those services.

ABBY HAIGHT ARNOLD

Santa Monica