Philanthropy Leaders Discuss “Giving Boldly & Strategically” at Issue Forum

APRIL 30, 2013 – Philanthropic leaders George and Trish Vradenburg, Margaret O’Bryon, Nicky Goren, and Michael Smith formed a panel to discuss ways individual donors can increase the impact of their giving at the 2013 Waldemar A. Nielsen Issue Forum on Philanthropy sponsored by the Georgetown Public Policy Institute’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership. The forum, held at the Pew Charitable Trusts, on April 30, highlighted innovative strategies for making a difference in individual charitable giving.

The Vradenburgs, who are Chair and Vice Chair of USAgainstAlzheimer’s, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the evolution of their personal involvement with the Alzheimer’s cause.

Nicky Goren, President of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation, discussed the power of individual donors on the issues, organizations and communities they support and talk about how to determine whether one’s giving makes a difference in the short- and long-term.

Michael Smith, Senior Vice President for Social Innovation of the Case Foundation, emphasized giving boldly and acting with urgency. Margaret O’Bryon, Georgetown’s new Nielsen Chair in Philanthropy and former CEO of the Consumer Health Foundation, moderated the panel.

The event was convened by Dr. Kathy Kretman, the director of the Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership, which recently celebrated its 15th anniversary. “The wealth gap in the Washington, D.C. region is greater than ever before, and growing,” said Dr. Kretman. “The purpose of this year’s forum was to create a call to action for individual donors to educate themselves about the needs and ways they can give strategically and innovatively for social impact. Our Center’s work has just begun.”

This Issue Forum is the launch of The Center’s initiative to provide the tools and inspiration philanthropists need to tackle the increasing challenges facing local communities.

To watch this discussion, visit our Vimeo page.