According to the New York Times (November 12, 2007), Ruth Lilly's (yes, the pharmaceutical company heiress) gift of $100 million to the Modern Poetry Association created quite a stir.

For sure, prospective grantees (as they would see themselves) were quite irate over this mega-gift who, in their minds, had limited presence (although enough presence to get Ms. Lilly's attention).  According to the article, most disturbing was the decision by the Association board's decision that it would not be a grant making organization but an operating organization. 

The rest of the world thought it knew better (really, the poetry world needs grants) and yet, according to observers, the Association has actually done quite well in its work making a positive contribution.

The lesson: sometimes, maybe even many times, nonprofit boards who are clear about their mission, can make really good strategic decisions and -- for their part of the world, change it.