ACR NEWSLETTER

Challenges to private philanthropy are often presented as federal issues, but states are just as important an arena. States have authority over matters such as organizational governance and operations. They are also the target of attention from deficit-saddled legislators looking for revenue and interest groups seeking more funding for their causes. But some states are recognizing the tremendous benefits that philanthropy brings to their communities, and are trying to attract new donors and generate even more giving.  The Alliance for Charitable Reform (ACR) recognizes both these challenges and opportunities.  This session will explore threats donors face in states and the efforts of ACR to work with the philanthropic and public policy communities to protect philanthropic freedom and encourage private charity.  These issues will be illustrated through case studies of efforts in Florida and Virginia to preserve private decision making for private giving.
J. Robert McClure III, president and CEO, James Madison Institute
David Odahowski, president and CEO, Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation
John Thrasher, senator, Florida State Senate
Jill Holtzman Vogel, senator, Virginia State Senate
Sue Santa, senior vice president for public policy, The Philanthropy Roundtable (Moderator)

8:30 - 10:00 p.m.

Join us for post-dinner drinks and desserts

9:00 - 10:15 a.m.

Right, left. Democrat, Republican. Conservative, liberal. Public debate is too often and too easily framed by predictable, binary categories. But there is one topic that unites Americans from across the political spectrum: philanthropic freedom. Donors increasingly recognize that, whatever their ideological perspective, activist groups, legislators, and regulators can hinder their ability to achieve their charitable objectives. In this session, three leading thinkers will share their perspectives on why the preservation of philanthropic freedom transcends ideology and party. Join William Kristol, editor of the Weekly Standard, Claire Gaudiani of New York University and author of the recently published Generosity Unbound, and Jane Wales of the Aspen Institute and the Global Philanthropy Forum as they discuss an ideological imperative that rises above ideological categories: philanthropic freedom.
Claire Gaudiani, professor, New York University
William Kristol, editor, Weekly Standard
Jane Wales, vice president for philanthropy and society, and director, Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation, Aspen Institute
Michael Grebe, president and chief executive officer, Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation (Moderator)

10:30 - 11:45 a.m.

The 111th Congress has presided over one of the most turbulent legislative sessions in recent memory. A historic economic recession that led to massive expansion of government spending, coupled with sweeping new laws on health care and banking—for good or ill, it has been a historic Congress. Philanthropy has been touched by all of this. What are the implications of the upcoming November elections for philanthropy? What is the future of the charitable deduction? The estate tax? Proposals to create a congressional advisory council of nonprofit leaders? Congressional and policy experts will explore competing pressures for the next two years on Capitol Hill, and they will take us down the campaign trail to consider how the November elections may affect the nonprofit sector—and philanthropic freedom.
Scott A. Hodge, president, Tax Foundation
Honorable Jim Ramstad, former U.S. Representative (R-MN)
Sandra Swirski, co-founder, Urban Swirski & Associates (Moderator)

To some, transparency is a universal good. To others, it’s an unwelcome intrusion into private decision-making. But what does “transparency” really mean? When does it lead to a healthy philanthropic sector, and when does it reach too far? Led by moderator John Tyler of the Kauffman Foundation, this panel will explore some of the fundamental questions donors should consider when they hear calls for transparency. What is the balance between transparency and privacy—for both individual donors and philanthropic organizations—and are there different considerations depending on the size, scope, or type of organization? When is disclosure of information strategic and meaningful versus disruptive or misleading? And what if proponents of transparency are using the language of “best practices” to mask underlying objectives?
Andrew Schultz, deputy general counsel, Council on Foundations
Bradford K. Smith, president, Foundation Center
John Tyler, vice president and corporate secretary, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation (Moderator)