An interesting article of "The Economist" about charities and their effectiveness, with a focus on enterpreneurship. It is also about the key elements to be a successful non-profit organization:
1. Not only service, advocacy can change policies and increase the impact;
2. Not only giving, generating income and good approaches to the business increases the impact and influences the business sector to be socially responsible;
3. Not only use volunteers to work, empower them and create a volunteer community. They are among the most effective advocates of the cause;
4. Nurture non-profit networks. The best non-profits "freely share wealth, expertize, talent and power with their peers" because it is in their self-interest (Cruthfield and Grant book, called  "Forces for Good");
5. Adaptation and innovation, based on listening, learning and modifying the approaches will keep the organization relevant to the situation
6. Sharing the leadership - the leaders of the successful non-profits "share their power, make a habit of empowering others and cultivate strong second-in-command, build enduring executive teams and thoroughly engage their boards.

Read more here.