If Not Nonprofits, Who?

Executive Publisher Lute Harmon Sr.

Editor Terry Troy

Managing Editor Jennifer Bowen Sima

Senior Editor Ann-Marie Vazzano

Managing Art Director Rayanne Medford

Art Directors Tom Abate

Ashley Moreman

Megan Rosta

Contributing Writers Karen Beis

Rhonda Crowder

Christina Easter

Alex Emerson

Lee Fisher

Pat Perry

Jill Sell

Lynne Thompson

Terry Troy

Contributing Artists Kevin Kopanski

Gabe Leidy Associate Publisher Denise Polverine

Years ago, it was Peter Drucker, one of the country’s great business thinkers, who proposed that nonprofits be recognized as the “first line of attack” in solving America’s social problems.

If Drucker were alive today, he would be proud: Nonprofits have become what he hoped they would become. Drucker would be proud, and Clevelanders should be proud. Because no city in the United States has done a better job of creating and supporting nonprofit organizations that solve social problems than Cleveland.

This issue’s cover story, “Fighting the Pain of Poverty,” is a reminder of one of Cleveland’s most important achievements. Unfortunately, I would guess if I asked a hundred people to name Cleveland’s biggest assets, not one would name a nonprofit that solves social problems.

Those same people might be surprised to learn that a study of our history would show that we were one of the first cities in America to have successful business owners share their wealth by endowing world-class museums, orchestras, hospitals, universities and foundations.

“Fighting the Pain of Poverty” is the story of what goes into building the nonprofits that have made a significant difference for the people of our community. It is a story of building a mission-driven organization, supported by philanthropic businesses and people just like you.

After providing management consulting to the largest corporations in the world for 35 years, Peter Drucker spent the last third of his life serving nonprofits whose mission was solving social problems. When asked why, he replied, “If not me, who?”

President, Advertising Paul Klein

Sarah Desmond

Tiffany Myroniak Account Executive Julie Bialowas Operations Manager Corey Galloway

Traffic Coordinator Kristen Brickner

Production Manager Alyson Moutz Cowan

Audience and Events Manager Jennifer Roberts

Chief Financial Officer George Sedlak

LEADERSHIP // BY LYNNE THOMPSON