Excellence in Philanthropy
Winners of the 2013 William E. Simon Prize
The Philanthropy Roundtable is honored to present Eli and Edythe Broad with the 2013 William E. Simon Prize at our Annual Meeting in Palos Verdes, California.
Excellence in Philanthropy
Interview with Betsy DeVos, the Reformer
For years, Betsy DeVos has been at the forefront of the educational-reform movement. Today, as chairman of the American Federation for Children, she is pushing to promote parental choice in American public education. In this feature interview, DeVos explains how she is working to make it possible for all of the nation's parents—regardless of their zip code—to find the right school for their children.
Excellence in Philanthropy
They Shall Overcome
Meet the K–12 reform donors who strategically balance charitable giving, legislative advocacy, and direct political engagement. Philanthropy editor-in-chief Christopher Levenick reports in this cover story from our Spring issue on K-12 giving.
K-12 Education
Blending, Upending
Is blended learning the disruptive innovation of K–12 reform? Check out this preview from The Philanthropy Roundtable’s new guidebook “Blended Learning: A Wise Giver’s Guide to Supporting Tech-assisted Teaching” by Laura Vanderkam.
Excellence in Philanthropy
Lessons in Citizenship
American students are increasingly ignorant of American civics, notes Naomi Schaefer Riley. Fortunately, a few private donors have taken the lead in the effort to restore a healthy appreciation for the Founding principles.
K-12 Education
Magna Charter
Andy Smarick argues that American public education cannot thrive until the existing urban school district is replaced by the charter ethic.
Excellence in Philanthropy
Common Core’s Uncommon Rise
Released in 2010, the Common Core Standards are the first set of shared, nationwide, grade-by-grade benchmarks for what students are expected to learn. Liam Julian details how philanthropists helped create a movement for national standards.
Donor Intent
The Contested Legacy of J. Howard Pew
Rebecca Rimel and Evan Sparks debate Pew’s donor intent, as the president of Pew Charitable Trusts responds to a recent profile on J. Howard Pew in Philanthropy.
K-12 Education
Mission Possible: How Charter Schools Can Start-Up, Scale, and Succeed
At The Philanthropy Roundtable’s 2013 National Forum on K-12 Philanthropy, Eva Moskowitz, founder and CEO of Success Academy Charter Schools discussed the creation, growth, and outsized political influence of Success Academy.
Excellence in Philanthropy
Interview with Eli Broad, the Investor
When it comes to re-imagining how America's children can learn, Eli and Edythe Broad are among the nation's most visionary philanthropists. Their investments range across the full spectrum of educational reform, from advocacy to personnel to technology. Take a look at our interview with Broad, in which he details progress on his efforts to dramatically improve American K–12 education.
Guidebook — k 12 education
Blended Learning
Few innovations in education today offer as much potential to transform how students are educated as the rise blended learning. The Philanthropy Roundtable’s new guidebook by Laura Vanderkam explores this crucial new field and the rich opportunities for brave and savvy givers to lead the education establishment toward a more excellent future.
K-12 Education
Blended Learning Resources
Along with our new Blended Learning guidebook, we have compiled resources—from the best videos to books, blogs, and more—to help better acquaint you with today’s most promising experiments in K–12 education.
Philanthropic Freedom
Interview with Leroy Hood
America’s most productive biologist discusses philanthropy’s role in science. Read the full interview here.
K-12 Education
Small Change?
Foundations are turning to education-reform advocacy. How’s it going? Check out Jay Greene’s review of “Follow the Money: How Foundation Dollars Change Public School Politics” from the Spring issue of “Philanthropy” magazine.
Excellence in Philanthropy
The Granite Giver
Scottish philanthropist Sir Ian Wood speaks with “Philanthropy” about his work in Africa, the state of Scottish philanthropy, some philanthropic disappointments, and his plans for the future.
Philanthropic Freedom
New Book on Transparency in Philanthropy
Recent calls for more transparency in private philanthropy have increased the need for philanthropic organizations to carefully plan and think about what information they will release to the public and how they will do it. To help organizations answer these questions, The Philanthropy Roundtable has published a new guidebook “Transparency in Philanthropy” by John Tyler.
Philanthropic Freedom
What the White House Doesn’t Understand about the Charitable Deduction
The administration’s push for the 28 percent cap on the charitable deduction raises serious questions about its understanding of philanthropy’s value to American society notes Howard Husock in his “Forbes” column.
Excellence in Philanthropy
New Guidebooks on the Way!
The Philanthropy Roundtable has an exciting lineup of fresh, practical guidebooks coming in 2013! Our Wise Giver’s Guides will help donors navigate giving to veterans (available May 1), support for computerized learning in schools (available now), and savvy giving to influence public policy (due this summer). These short, readable, information-packed books will help you make the most of your philanthropic investments. Click here to see some of this year’s upcoming titles.
Excellence in Philanthropy
Ending the War on Polio
Private philanthropy has nearly eradicated polio, but the battle is not yet over. Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg recently outlined their plan for completing the goal of global eradication of the disease. Check out their ‘Wall Street Journal’ op-ed, as well as ‘Philanthropy’ magazine’s coverage of philanthropy’s role in conquering polio and other diseases.
Philanthropic Freedom
The IRS Should Stick to Enforcement
Joanne Florino discusses the danger of giving the IRS a role in assessing the effectiveness of charitable organizations.
Excellence in Philanthropy
Thinking Big
Ben Carson, distinguished neurosurgeon and gifted speaker, recently made headlines with his remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast. The Roundtable had the privilege of hearing from Dr. Carson at our 2002 Annual Meeting, where he challenged and inspired philanthropists. Adam Meyerson remarks on the highlights from this talk here. Dr. Carson’s prayer breakfast speech can be viewed on YouTube.
Philanthropic Freedom
A Boundary to Keep
The purpose of the charitable deduction transcends tax policy asserts Alexander Reid. It should be thought of as a form of tax immunity that protects civil society from the government. In this essay published in ‘The Exempt Organization Tax Review’, Reid looks at the history of the charitable deduction and the boundaries needed to protect civil society.
Excellence in Philanthropy
American History’s Great Philanthropists
Who were the greatest philanthropists of American history? After studying hundreds of individuals, carefully reviewing their achievements, we are pleased to present the inaugural class of the Philanthropy Hall of Fame. This list isn’t the final word on the greatest philanthropists in American history, nor does it intend to be. Think of it instead as a starting point for discussion—and, we hope, a source of inspiration.
Donor Intent
An Unconventional Foundation Life
Though not a conventional choice, sunsetting can be an effective philanthropic strategy asserts Frances Ostrower in her remarks at the 2012 Annual Meeting.
Excellence in Philanthropy
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The Rockefeller Legacy
John D. Rockefeller Sr. established the Rockefeller Foundation in 1913. In this, the year of its centennial, it's worth remembering what its founder achieved within the 97 years of his own life.
Excellence in Philanthropy
Rockefeller’s Other Pipeline
John D. Rockefeller is arguably history’s single greatest funder of biomedical research. Review the remarkable legacy of his foundation here in our original research on Rockefeller-funded Nobel laureates.
Philanthropic Freedom
The Rising Threat to the Charitable Deduction
Howard Husock discusses recent threats to the charitable deduction and warns against viewing it as “just one more ‘tax expenditure.’”
Philanthropic Freedom
Preserving National Values Through the Charitable Deduction
Yale professor of economics and finance Robert J. Shiller defends the charitable deduction in his recent column for the New York Times.
Excellence in Philanthropy
Building America
Bernie Marcus has dedicated his life to helping people “do it yourself.” He co-founded the Home Depot in 1978, making a fortune by serving the American spirit of self-sufficiency. Today, he’s working to build nonprofits to the point where they no longer need his support. Read our profile of Bernie Marcus, winner of the 2012 William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership, by Weekly Standard senior editor Andrew Ferguson.
Excellence in Philanthropy
Philanthropy on the Green
In cities from New York to San Diego, private donors have been integral to revitalizing public parks. Whether the park is beyond repair and requires an intervention, or whether it just needs a boost of philanthropic vision, or even if a city needs lots of new park space—private philanthropy is bringing top-notch management to America’s great urban parks. Evan Sparks reports on these donors here.
Excellence in Philanthropy
A Welfare System That Works
Welfare, it is sometimes said, can only be effectively administered by the government. Charitable groups are too small, too disjointed, and too parochial to ever provide an adequate social safety net. Not so fast. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints runs a vast and effective social welfare system. Read Naomi Schaefer Riley’s article on a how private individuals can administer a large-scale welfare system—that works.
Excellence in Philanthropy
From Driehaus to Our House
The elegant classicism of the National Mall has long been a proper tribute to the great heroes of the republic. But a proliferation of new monuments has disrupted the Mall’s architectural harmony. When the proposed Dwight Eisenhower Memorial threatened to add yet more postmodern sprawl, Richard Driehaus pushed back. Click here to read a profile by the New Criterion’s James Panero.
Excellence in Philanthropy
Captivating Philanthropy
Adrienne Arsht goes her own way. In philanthropy, as in business, she chooses causes based on what intrigues and captivates her. Ms. Arsht recently spoke with Philanthropy magazine about what motivates her giving.
Excellence in Philanthropy
The Team Builder
David Koch captained one of the greatest basketball squads ever to play for MIT. Today he’s leading another MIT team—one that’s trying to beat cancer. In this special profile from the Summer issue, managing editor Evan Sparks sits down with the man who has become a driving force in medical research philanthropy.
Donor Intent
Donor Intent Resource Library
We have assembled an extensive resource library as part of our ongoing commitment to preserving, strengthening, and celebrating the principle of donor intent. Our resource library will direct you to the best articles, books, and panel discussions on the topic of establishing and preserving donor intent.
Donor Intent
Protecting Donor Intent
How to define and safeguard your philanthropic principles. This new guidebook by Jeffrey J. Cain offers detailed guidance to philanthropists who want to ensure that the assets they dedicate to charity are disbursed as they intend. It identifies common pitfalls, explains relevant tradeoffs, and describes successful strategies used by other donors. It lays a broad range of options before you, and suggests ways you can define, secure, and perpetuate your charitable intentions.
