Philanthropy and Town&Country Magazine

I am hoping the July issue of Town&Country all about philanthropy won't be the last issue concerning this important subject.  With Pamela Fiori leaving the position of editor in chief, I worry about that happening as she was the impetus eight years ago to have an annual philanthropy issue.  And this July issue is so thin and without all the ads we've come to expect, unless the companies whose products are featured because they contribute to causes, paid for being included.

Was this issue so slender because T&C was feeling charitable and didn't include the usual gems and gowns? Was it because the advertising staff couldn't or didn't do their job? Or is this the end of what everyone I know always waits for; T&C's annual philanthropy issue.  Let's hope that this wonderful affirmation of the importance of philanthropy lives on through a continuous issue devoted to giving.

There were so many inspiring stories of women and men and their causes that it is hard to pick out any in particular, but some of the women that I was particularly taken with were:

Young Audiences of New York (I recall beginning a chapter of Young Audiences in Traverse City and so glad to see the program is still viable) and Kim Greenberg, chair of the board of directors.

Studio in a School founded by Agnes Gund.

Rachel's Network founded by Winsome McIntosh.  I am proud to say that the Women's Philanthropy Institute did some consulting with this group several years ago.

Hope in Bloom founded by Roberta Dehman Herson.  I can't help but think this idea could be something we all could do.

Elevate Destinations created by Dominique Callimanopulos.  The idea of "donor travel" is so appealing to us all.

Jena Gardner and her Traveler's Collection that aids women artisans.

Lauren Bush's Feed Projects and her stylish feed bags.

Donna Karan's Urban Zen.  I recently read that her favorite C's are compassion, care, cashmere, candles and cotton while our favorite C's of women's giving are: create, change, commit, connect, collaborate, and celebrate.

And finally, my friend and colleague, Joanna Krotz who always writes for T&C's philanthropy issue interview with Sheryl WuDunn, coauthor of Half the Sky.

Bolder Giving Challenges

Years ago I spoke with the late Claude Rosenberg on a rainy, cold day in San Francisco.  Claude’s 1994 book, Wealthy and Wise: How You and America Can Get the Most Out of Your Giving, advocated giving from assets and how doing so would double the amount of philanthropy annually.  Those were extraordinary ideas and some even felt outrageous.  But I was struck by his ideas of challenging millionaires to give more and deeply humbled to be in his presence, which lives on through his organization, the New Tithing Group.  

When I saw the Buffet Gates Billionaire Challenge, I was reminded of Claude (shown here with  children in a childcare school he created).  After pulling out his book, I had totally forgotten that he inscribed it to me and written, “To Sondra Shaw-Hardy with great respect for what you are doing (and have done) for Women in Philanthropy.  Warmest regards, Claude.  1-12-98.”   I was so touched to reread this.

Now, some 14 years later, the Buffet Gates Billionaire Challenge takes off from where Claude began, only with billionaires this time rather than millionaires (think how much money has been generated in those 14 years to take this kind of leap--from millionaire to billionaire).  As thrilling as this is, what  Anne and Christopher Ellinger are doing with their Bolder Giving Challenge is even more exciting.  They have a challenge for everyone, not just billionaires or millionaires.  But for all of us. 

By signing the Bolder Giving Challenge, you pledge to explore ways to become bolder in your giving, give more (could be time as well as money), more effectively, become more fulfilled as a giver, and encourage others to give. 

I’ve signed up as number 124 and plan to be one of the 500 Bolder Givers by July 15.  I encourage you to do so as well by going to www.boldergiving.org.  How wonderful to see Claude’s ideas live on through women like Melinda Gates and Anne Ellinger.

Foundations and Diversity: Glass Pockets

Those of us who have been promoting women and philanthropy for so many years are keenly aware of the part that diversity has played in increasing our numbers as givers and as leaders.

Today, the Chronicle of Philanthropy published a column by Dr. Emmett D. Carson, the respected chief executive officer of Silicon Valley Community Foundation, in Mountain View, California .  

I first met Dr. Carson several years ago when he was a speaker at a conference I attended and was thrilled to hear him point out the need to bring diversity to the attention of the philanthropic world.

His column addresses a new Florida law that prohibits the State of Florida or local governments from requiring foundations to disclose certain demographic data about board and staff members, as well as grantees, without the written permission of those involved.  The law also prohibits the state from requiring a diverse board or requiring a foundation to make grants based on demographic information.  The demographic data covered by the new law include "race, religion, gender, national origin, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, and political-party registration of its employees, officers, directors, trustees, members, or owners."

In his column, Dr. Carson says, "During the McCarthy-era hearings, the chair of the Carnegie Corporation of New York said, “"We think that the foundation should have glass pockets."”

He goes on to say, “In the years since, foundations have largely embraced the values of diversity, accountability, and openness as a way of recognizing and protecting the enormous freedom and flexibility that foundations enjoy to do their work.”  But the new Florida law does just the opposite.  It not only raises questions about the values foundations have but it also could have significant limits on tax deductions of donors.

While Dr. Carson concurs that government should not decide who sits on boards and receives grants, he points out that, “the idea that government is prohibited from requesting diversity data …undermines the promise that foundations have made to the American public that they are committed to diversity, inclusiveness, accountability, and transparency in their operations.”

Dr. Carson concludes by cautioning, “the Florida law is likely to create a state-by-state battleground that will lead to the need for a federal law.  If we do not forcefully respond to this challenge, we should not be surprised when there are Congressional hearings and our claims of “glass pockets” fall on deaf ears.”

For a complete reading of the article, go to: http://philanthropy.com/article/Opinion-Florida-Law-Makes-It/65856/?sid=&utm_source=&utm_medium=en 

Melinda Gates and Couple Giving

When Melinda Gates announced this week that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was pledging $1.5-bllion for women and children, the announcement reminded me of what I read a couple of years ago in Fortune Magazine.  In an interview with Warren Buffett, he was asked if he would have given the Gates Foundation his fortune if Melinda were not in the picture, to which he replied, “That’s a great question.  And the answer is, I’m not sure.”  Buffett went on to say that he believes that Melinda makes Bill a better decision-maker.  “He’s smart as hell, obviously, but in terms of seeing the whole picture, she’s smarter.”

And see the whole picture she does.  One cannot but speculate that Melinda had a great deal to do with the recent gift.  In fact, Bill said about philanthropy in that same article, “I don’t think it would be fun to do on my own and I don’t think I’d do as much of it.”

As we have reported in our new book, Women and Philanthropy: Boldly Shaping a Better World, to be published by Jossey-Bass in September, Gates’ remarks bear out what we hear across the board: in focus groups, research done by the Center on Philanthropy as well as a 2009 Fidelity study.  Women have a strong influence on their spouses and on couple philanthropy.

Thank you Melinda for challenging the notion that high maternal and child deaths are unavoidable and for urging leaders of governments and other institutions around the world to make women’s and children’s health a higher priority.  And thank you Bill for listening to and acting on your wife’s interests.  May you both continue to be models for all couples.