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News & Stories Higher Ed 10/03/2023

Will the “Apprenticeship Degree” Come to America? 

Joe E. Ross

Philanthropy Roundtable is pleased to share this essay by Joe E. Ross, president of Reach University. Ross and his team have worked to provide an innovative model that creates pathways to opportunity for individuals working within educational communities while simultaneously solving one of the largest problems plaguing our nation’s schools today – teacher talent pipelines. Reach University is providing a low-cost solution to the barrier of credentialing for individuals who are best positioned to meet the educational needs of their local communities through a groundbreaking apprenticeship model.

News & Stories Donor Intent 10/02/2023

Joanne Florino in Planned Giving Today: Toxic Donors, Tainted Dollars: A Perspective

Philanthropy Roundtable

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.

News & Stories Donor Privacy Free to Give 09/28/2023

Why Donor Privacy is Key to America’s Unique Charitable Tradition

Philanthropy Roundtable

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.

News & Stories Donor Intent 09/27/2023

Donor Intent Watch: Is the Barnes Still the Barnes?

Joanne Florino

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.

News & Stories Sector Regulation 09/26/2023

Wide-Ranging Amicus Briefs in Moore v. U.S. Show Dangers of Taxing Unrealized Income

Jack Salmon

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.

News & Stories K-12 Education Pathways to Opportunity 09/22/2023

Outschool.org is Creating Pathways to a Quality Education for All Students

Erica Haines

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.

News & Stories Donor Intent 09/21/2023

Florino in Trusts & Estates: Defining a Philanthropic Legacy Through Donor Intent

Philanthropy Roundtable

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. 

News & Stories K-12 Education Philanthropic Excellence 09/19/2023

Passion’s Place in a Philanthropic Strategy

Garrett Garcia

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.

Events 09/18/2023

Moore v. United States and the Implications for Philanthropy

A landmark Supreme Court case on the docket this fall will put wealth taxes on center stage for Americans. The ruling, which could determine if such taxes are constitutional, could open the door for a swath of new federal wealth taxes that would have dire consequences for philanthropy. This comes as President Biden suggested implementing a 25% tax on unrealized gains, a proposal that could harm charities and philanthropists who are providing much-needed support to vulnerable populations.

News & Stories Civics Education 09/15/2023

Civics Education Programs Making a Difference This Constitution Day

Daniel Turner

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.

News & Stories Giving Trends 09/14/2023

Doers to Donors: Hilda Ochoa-Brillembourg Helps Transform the Lives of Young Musicians

Philanthropy Roundtable

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.

News & Stories Donor Privacy 09/13/2023

McGuigan in The Hill: Lawmakers Risk Harming U.S. Charities, Violating Americans’ Privacy Amid Investigations of Foreign Influence

Philanthropy Roundtable

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.

Resources Sector Regulation Values-Based Giving 09/13/2023

Donor Disclosure Means Less for Charities and Those They Serve

Jack Salmon

Members of Congress are increasingly concerned about foreign donations to 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations potentially being used for US political activities. Yet, as we delve into the details and examine available data, a complex and nuanced narrative emerges. The rise in scrutiny appears to be fueled by a small number of bad actors that should be investigated and prosecuted, rather than a systemic abuse of the laws and regulations underlying the nonprofit sector—particularly tax-exempt charitable organizations.

News & Stories Donor Privacy 09/13/2023

Preserving Philanthropic Freedom: Nonprofits, Donor Privacy and Political Engagement

Jack Salmon

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.

News & Stories Giving Trends 09/12/2023

Letter to the Editor: Florino Pushes Back on Jeff Cain’s critiques of Giving USA’s Report

Philanthropy Roundtable

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.  

News & Stories Civics Education K-12 Education 09/11/2023

Leaders in Philanthropy: A Conversation with the Daniels Fund’s Hanna Skandera

Philanthropy Roundtable

As students across the country return to classrooms this fall, Micah Sagebiel, Philanthropy Roundtable vice president of programs, sat down with Daniels Fund President and CEO Hanna Skandera about the Daniels Fund’s “Big Bets” in education, civics and youth sports. Skandera is a member of the Philanthropy Roundtable board of directors.

News & Stories Donor Privacy 09/07/2023

Philanthropy Roundtable Submits Response to House Ways and Means Committee Inquiry

Cameron Gambini

On September 7, 2023, Philanthropy Roundtable provided information in response to the House Ways and Means Committee’s “Request for Information: Understanding and Examining the Political Activities of Tax-Exempt Organizations.” 

News & Stories Pathways to Opportunity 09/06/2023

Onwuka in The Center Square: How Philanthropy is Funding a Working Force for Everyone

Philanthropy Roundtable

In an op-ed published in The Center Square, Philanthropy Roundtable Adjunct Senior Fellow Patrice Onwuka writes that addressing our current workforce challenges requires a partnership between employers, communities and philanthropy. She says this type of collaboration should begin at the local level, and if done successfully, can break down barriers to economic mobility and provide opportunity for all.

News & Stories Sector Regulation 09/06/2023

Philanthropy Roundtable Urges Supreme Court to Overrule Unconstitutional Tax on Wealth

Jack Salmon

Philanthropy Roundtable argued in an amicus brief filed on September 6, 2023 before the U.S. Supreme Court in Moore v. United States that the court should overrule the decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to permit taxation of unrealized gains.

News & Stories Pathways to Opportunity 09/06/2023

2023 Simon-DeVos Prize Winners: Laura and Jeff Sandefer

Philanthropy Roundtable

Philanthropy Roundtable is pleased to announce the selection of education entrepreneurs and philanthropists Laura and Jeff Sandefer as the winners of the 2023 Simon-DeVos Prize for Philanthropic Leadership. The Sandefers’ notable accomplishments include founding Acton Academy, a cutting-edge, global network of K-12 schools that encourage students to be “curious, independent, lifelong learners” and the Acton Children’s Business Fair, which supports young entrepreneurs from hundreds of communities across the globe.