"War. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing."

It's ironic that Motown legend Edwin Starr, the man whose voice made those lyrics famous, died just weeks after the United States began its second war against Iraq March 19. More than 30 years after his 1970 anthem for peace—"WAR"—was a hit, we are still a nation at war—within and without.

"Ahh, war is an enemy to all mankind. The thought of war blows my mind." The idea of war as a peacekeeping tool contradicts the notion of a human intellect that should afford us the ability to reason together peacefully. Nobel Peace Prize laureates Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Jimmy Carter all voiced opposition to a war with Iraq sans authorization from the United Nations. However, many—like the Committee for the Liberation of Iraq—felt waging this war was necessary for the "liberation of Iraq…the reconstruction of its economy and the establishment of political pluralism, democratic institutions and the rule of law."

Timothy E. Wirth, president of the United Nations Foundation, wrote ("Why U.N. is Needed," The Washington Times, April 14, 2003), "[I]t is in the global and American interest to prevent the current crisis and its associated rhetoric from undermining the United Nations as a platform for peace, collective security and common progress." Wirth also opened the Council on Foundations' Annual Conference in Dallas on April 28.

"Life is but too short and precious, it's been fighting wars each day." At the Council's home office last month, Children's Defense Fund founder and President Marian Wright Edelman quoted shocking statistics: in the United States, every 41 seconds a child is born into poverty and every 36 seconds a child is abused or neglected, with approximately 2,000 of those children dying each year. Our children are at war, fighting seemingly insurmountable odds stacked against them—lack of prenatal care, daycare and quality opportunities in education—which Edelman called a "sentence to economic death."

With all eyes now on Iraq, who's minding the mini-wars being waged right here on U.S. soil? Our communities are engaged in wars against poverty, unemployment, underinsurance, homelessness, domestic violence and child endangerment. One obvious answer: charitable foundations that continue working to meet pressing needs in our at-risk communities despite the effect of the economic downturn on their endowments. A federal budget with a record $300 billion deficit that does not include funding postwar costs means even more work for foundations.

Fortunately, foundations have a long history of wartime humanitarianism. "The Truth on 'False Philanthropy'" (page 17) explains how President Herbert Hoover helped reshape America's philanthropic traditions in the early 20th century. And "Foundations Readying Response to War" (page 6) highlights groups providing aid during this conflict. Numerous other funders, including the Nathan Cummings, William and Flora Hewlett, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur, Charles Stewart Mott and United Nations foundations, are also supporting efforts working toward peace and the protection of civil liberties as well as immigrant rights.

"Peace, love and understanding, tell me—is there no place for them today? They say we must fight, to keep our freedom, but Lord knows there's got to be a better way."