Philanthropy Roundtable recently interviewed Chris Ullman, former communications director at global investment firm The Carlyle Group, about his new book, “Four Billionaires and a Parking Attendant: Success Strategies of the Wealthy, Powerful, and Just Plain Wise.”
Dr. Carol Swain, born into poverty in rural southwest Virginia, dropped out of high school but went on to earn five university degrees. Swain was tenured at Princeton University and then became a full professor at Vanderbilt University. She went from a high school dropout and teenage mother to a highly accomplished university professor and intellectual.
On January 2, 2024, Independent Women’s Forum (IWF), a national women’s organization devoted to advancing freedom, opportunity and well-being, profiled Philanthropy Roundtable President and CEO Christie Herrera. This piece highlighted Herrera’s emphasis on protecting philanthropic freedom and donor privacy, and her commitment to staying true to the Roundtable’s mission. The Roundtable is honored that IWF has recognized Herrera as one of its “Champion Women.”
As we consider issues shaping philanthropy in 2024, race relations will undoubtedly be a part of the conversation. Given that the Israel-Hamas conflict has exposed antisemitism in the current social justice movement in America, questions remain about whether racial harmony and equal treatment of all people is truly the goal of these groups.
“Five and a half years ago, this very day, I was homeless on the streets of San Francisco, struggling with heroin and fentanyl addiction. So, while as bad as that is, I’m also proof, living proof, that we do recover, that we can come all the way back,” said Tom Wolf, director of West Coast Initiatives for the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions, during his Big Idea talk at Philanthropy Roundtable’s Annual Meeting.
Karith Foster is a diversity trainer, comedian and founder of INVERSITY Solutions. She has traveled all over the globe delivering her positive alternative to the polarizing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) debate occurring within corporations, institutions of higher education and nonprofits.
In 2023, the charitable sector faced multiple threats to charitable giving. While lawmakers in some states took action to protect philanthropic freedom, we continued to see legislation that threatens the nonprofit community. These threats arose not only from the legislature, but from executive branch officials as well.
As lawmakers investigate the rare instances of foreign interference in U.S. elections through nonprofits, Philanthropy Roundtable encourages them to protect charitable giving by upholding the constitutional right to donor privacy.
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.
As part of Philanthropy Roundtable’s True Diversity initiative, President and General Counsel for the Center for Equal Opportunity Devon Westhill recently sat down with radio veteran Lee Habeeb for an episode of “Our American Stories,” a syndicated radio program and podcast that highlights “ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things.”
As Israel’s allies come to its aid during the unfolding Israel-Hamas war, one critical resource that has been years in the making and has proven paramount to Israel’s defenses is the recently completed Marcus National Blood Services Center, funded by hundreds of donors, including Bernie and Billi Marcus of The Marcus Foundation and American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA).
In an op-ed published in The Center Square, Philanthropy Roundtable’s Director of Government Affairs Megan Schmidt stressed the importance of flexible giving vehicles, like donor-advised funds, that are vital to California’s charitable sector. She also warned against legislative threats that could discourage charitable giving in the Golden State in 2024.