An Economic Opportunity Event for Donors
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Conference Center
Kansas City, MO
Entrepreneurship is widely embraced by philanthropists as a positive force for improving individual lives, communities, and economies. But untangling the myriad applied models and strategies can be a daunting challenge. Should donors fund new start-ups or second stage entities? How is peer learning and mentoring part of business formation? What barriers may hinder innovation? Can entrepreneurship programs successfully engage disconnected youth, ex-offenders, low-income workers, or veterans? How should we define success—does entrepreneurship help lead to broader life transformation? Fundamentally, can entrepreneurship be taught? Please join us for an engaging discussion on 10 Great Ways Donors Can Support Entrepreneurship.
Please join us in Kansas City for this solicitation-free event for donors:
- Engage the basic but complex questions about entrepreneurship ideas and strategies with your peers.
- See the inner workings of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the largest foundation devoted to the study of entrepreneurship, at a site visit on May 15.
- Hear from leading philanthropic and nonprofit leaders about innovative and effective approaches and models.
- Discover how entrepreneurship offers possibilities—and challenges—for veterans, at-risk youth, and others struggling to thrive in the current economy.
Meeting Agenda:
Wednesday, May 15 Site visit, Reception, and Dinner – Hosted by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
4:30–5:30 p.m. Private Tour of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation (details below)
5:45–6:15 p.m. Cocktail Reception
6:15–7:45 p.m. Dinner presentation
- Jeff Hoffman, a founder and CEO, Priceline.com
On this private tour, attendees will learn more about Kauffman Foundation founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman, who brought an entrepreneurial spirit and creative style to everything he did, including starting a $1 billion pharmaceutical company from the basement of his home, bringing major league baseball (not to mention boosting civic pride) to Kansas City in 1968, and leaving his most enduring legacy to the community in the creation of his namesake foundation. Attendees will take a peek into the foundation’s inner workings, including a visit to Kauffman Labs for Enterprise Creation, a teaching and training entity specifically established to accelerate the creation and success of new, scalable businesses.
Thursday, May 16
8:30 a.m. Welcome
- Jo Kwong, director of economic opportunity programs, The Philanthropy Roundtable
8:40–9:35 a.m. Can Entrepreneurship Be Taught?
- Sherwin Greenblatt, director, MIT Venture Mentoring Services
- Thom Ruhe, vice president of entrepreneurship, Kauffman Foundation
9:45–10:45 a.m. Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Philanthropic Perspectives
- Linda Childears, president and CEO, Daniels Fund
- Deborah Hoover, president and CEO, Burton D. Morgan Foundation
- Amy Stursberg, executive director, Blackstone Charitable Foundation
11:00 a.m.–11:50 p.m. Discovering, Developing, and Supporting Entrepreneurship on Campus
- Cari Carpenter, director, entrepreneurship initiative, Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation
- Paul Corson, advisor to the president for strategic partnerships, Lorain County Community College
- Tracy Green, vice president of strategic and institutional development, Lorain County Community College
- Michael Hennessy, president, Coleman Foundation (moderator)
12:00–1:20 p.m. Lunch Presentation: The Importance of Economic Liberty
- John E. Kramer, vice president for communications, Institute for Justice
-
George Ohrstrom, trustee, Epicurus Fund (introduction)
1:30–2:00 p.m. Mobilizing Top College Grads to Revitalize American Cities and Communities
- Andrew Yang, founder and CEO, Venture for America
- Elizabeth Harber, senior program officer, Abell Foundation (introduction)
2:10–2:50 p.m. Helping Economically Challenged Individuals and Start and Grow Businesses
- J. Mike Haynie, executive director, Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University
- Ajuah Helton, vice president of programs and evaluation, BUILD
- Patrick O’Brien, chairman of the board, Rogers-O’Brien Construction (moderator)
3:00-3:50 p.m. Creating Peer Learning Environments for Entrepreneurs
- Penny Lewandowski, vice president of entrepreneurship and strategic direction, Edward Lowe Foundation
- Nate Olson, co-founder One Million Cups, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
- Thom Ruhe, vice president of entrepreneurship, Kauffman Foundation (moderator)
4:00 p.m. Closing Remarks
Meeting Location:
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Conference Center
4801 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110
Accommodations:
Please visit our logistics page to learn about accommodations and transportation options for this event.
This solicitation-free event is open to individual donors, private foundation trustees and staff, and corporate giving staff who annually distribute at least $50,000 in charitable donations. There is no fee to attend. For attendance qualifications, click here.
For more information about this event, please contact Jo Kwong, director of economic opportunity programs, at jkwong@PhilanthropyRoundtable.org or (202) 822-8333.
