In the October 2023 issue of Planned Giving Today, Philanthropy Roundtable’s Adam Meyerson Distinguished Fellow in Philanthropic Excellence Joanne Florino discusses what happens when the reputations of philanthropists – both living and deceased – become tainted, and the institutions that bear their names subsequently become the subjects of protests and media scrutiny.
Some foundations and individual donors wish to remain anonymous because they prefer the attention stays focused on the work of the nonprofits they support. That’s true of the Colorado-based Anschutz Foundation. In a new Philanthropy Roundtable video, the foundation’s Executive Vice President Ted Harms discusses the importance of the right to give freely to causes and communities – and why preserving donor privacy is crucial.
Earlier this year, following the passage of the Donor Intent Protection Act in Kansas, Philanthropy Roundtable launched a monthly series on donor intent controversies around the country to better inform those who care about this important topic. We are awaiting updates on lawsuits involving Middlebury College and the former Hastings College of the Law, and will continue to inform readers about those topics.
As we’ve discussed here before, the Supreme Court is considering a case with implications for future wealth tax proposals. We know that taxing assets is a net negative for philanthropy and the vibrant charitable sector it supports, so the Roundtable is closely following Moore v. United States.
Philanthropy Roundtable recently sat down with Justin Dent, founding executive director of Outschool.org. Dent and his team are on a mission to ensure that every child, regardless of their economic circumstances, can access an education that allows them to pursue – and be inspired by – their interests. The organization, which is the nonprofit, charitable offshoot of the ed tech company, offers a wide variety of small-group classes and outside-the-box teaching methods. Their work highlights the power of entrepreneurship, linking the nation’s best teachers with students and families most in need of new education options.
In the October edition of Trusts & Estates, which features a special report on charitable giving, Philanthropy Roundtable’s Adam Meyerson Distinguished Fellow in Philanthropic Excellence Joanne Florino and Integer LLC Principal Sara Barba describe why understanding and honoring donor intent is crucial to preserving the American tradition of private giving. They also give examples of donor intent violations that can serve as lessons for philanthropists who wish to leave a lasting legacy through charitable giving.
Passion is an important ingredient in the human DNA. When channeled correctly, it can lead us to live a meaningful, virtuous life. And after spending the last five years as president of my family’s foundation, the Garcia Family Foundation in Tampa, Florida, I have met many passionate people. Nevertheless, I’ve learned that while passion motivates many of us, philanthropists and nonprofits who wish to most effectively serve their communities must also employ deliberate strategies that will lead to success.
As we approach Constitution Day, it’s worth exploring whether educators are prepared to teach students about the Constitution and its history in a manner that is accurate, effective and engaging. While it may not be widely known, numerous organizations spend their summers offering workshops and institutes to equip teachers with the resources to teach civics and American history during the school year.
In the latest episode of Philanthropy Roundtable’s interview series “Doers to Donors,” Roundtable President and CEO Christie Herrera sat down with entrepreneur, author and philanthropist Hilda Ochoa-Brillembourg. Ochoa-Brillembourg is the chairman emeritus and founder of Strategic Investment Group, an independent investment management firm based in Arlington, Virginia. She also is chairman and founder of The Orchestra of the Americas Group, which has helped train talented musicians from around the globe for careers in world-class orchestras.
In an op-ed recently published in The Hill entitled, “Lawmakers Risk Harming U.S. Charities, Violating Americans’ Privacy Amid Investigations of Foreign Influence,” Philanthropy Roundtable Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs Elizabeth McGuigan warns that potential policy changes in Congress to keep foreign nationals from interfering in U.S. elections through charitable giving could infringe on the constitutional right of Americans to give to charities anonymously.
On September 13, 2023, Philanthropy Roundtable published a new policy brief addressing the extent to which foreign donations are influencing U.S. political activities through 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations. While recent media reports have raised concern about the interference of foreign nationals in American politics, this research shows that claims of pervasive political advocacy within the nonprofit sector lack support from both available data and empirical literature. In fact, the rise in scrutiny appears to be fueled by a small number of bad actors who should be investigated and prosecuted, rather than a systemic abuse of the laws and regulations underlying the nonprofit sector.
In a Letter to the Editor of The Chronicle of Philanthropy entitled “Giving USA’s’ Critics Are Wrong: Not All Forms of Giving Are Equal,” Philanthropy Roundtable’s Adam Meyerson Distinguished Fellow in Philanthropic Excellence Joanne Florino responded to a recent op-ed, “Giving USA Misses the Boat on the True State of Generosity in America,” written by Jeff Cain, co-founder of American Philanthropic, LLC.