Joel L. Kushner is director of Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion’s Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation, which is in Los Angeles.

The Rev. Louis P. Sheldon is chairman of the Traditional Values Coalition and one of the most recognizable names of the religious right.

Deborah Snow is project director for the Corporation for National & Community Service, a nonprofit that works to improve the effectiveness of other nonprofits, including faith-based organizations. It is located in Scotts Valley, Calif.

Tami Heim is president and CEO of the Christian Leadership Alliance in San Clemente, Calif., which works with some 4,500 church and parachurch organizations worldwide. The CLA sponsored a study (see in background section) in April on the effects of the recession on Christian nonprofits.

The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy at the University of Southern California conducts research on philanthropy and nonprofits. The center maintains a list of experts on philanthropy, both national and local.

The Center for Effective Philanthropy conducts research and gathers data on nonprofit groups to help philanthropists make effective donations. In October 2009, the center hosted an event in San Francisco titled “Foundation Effectiveness in a New Reality.” Contact through the website.

Gary McIntosh is professor of Christian ministry and leadership at Biola University in La Mirada, Calif. He is also a consultant and the author of 13 books on church growth.

The Center for Educational Telecommunications is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study, research and publication of information on Asian Americans in the U.S.

The Association for Asian American Studies promotes the education and better understanding of Asian Americans and the subcomponents within their communities.