Foundations admit mistakes to save others

There's an interesting story in the NY Times today about nonprofit foundations and their newfound interest in publishing evidence about their failures. One foundation officer notes that it's a kind of public service:

“There’s an increasing recognition among foundation leaders that not to be public about failures is essentially indefensible,” said Phil Buchanan, the executive director of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, which advises foundations. “If something didn’t work, it is incumbent upon you to make sure others don’t make the same mistake.”

This is a great development for grant giving, and one that's also making its way into other fields, such as medicine. Now if we can just get it into politics.