Unlike philanthropists of the past, today's donors are looking for a more active role in the causes they support, the June Business 2.0 magazine reports.

Although this hands-on approach is viewed as a positive step by many, some beneficiaries would prefer things be more hands-off, the magazine reports.

The new philanthropists want concrete results from the institutions to which they give.

"They want to get very involved, and they really are translating a lot of their success in business into their charitable giving experience," says Susan Luenberger, vice president of development and marketing at Community Foundation Silicon Valley.

Steve Case, chief executive officer of America Online, believes that a donor-beneficiary relationship should continue after the grant has been given, Business 2.0 reports. He calls the ongoing assistance and advice "venture philanthropy."

On the other hand, some nonprofit administrators feel that today's donors are helping too much.

"Many nonprofits are frustrated with all the demands from many different sources," says Jeanne Labozetta, chief executive officer of Family Service Mid-Peninsula. "There are people [new donors] coming in now who don't understand what we do and how we do it, and are trying to impose their value systems on us."

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