Grantmakers Gather in Philadelphia to Put Philanthropy on Trial

Council on Foundations Annual Conference Asks the Question: Is Philanthropy Fulfilling its Mission?

Arlington, VA — Hundreds of the nation’s top philanthropic leaders and policy-makers will gather in Philadelphia—a city known for invention, independence, and innovation—for the Council on Foundations 2011 Annual Conference, April 10–12. The conference offers new sessions, formats, and opportunities for grantmakers to collaborate on solutions to some of America’s most persistent challenges. It will conclude after the entire field of philanthropy is put on trial, charged with not fulfilling its mission of advancing the common good.

Philadelphia’s own Ralph R. Smith, executive vice president of The Annie E. Casey Foundation, will serve as the defense in Philanthropy on Trial. With Gara LaMarche, president and CEO of The Atlantic Philanthropies, representing the prosecution, the mock trial will seek to answer questions such as: Is philanthropy fulfilling its objective of advancing the common good? Are people in the philanthropy world living up to their mission? Is philanthropy really making a difference? Former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Jane Cutler Greenspan, (Retired) will act as the judge.

After the evidence is presented, and expert witnesses testify and are cross-examined, the audience, serving as the jury, will deliberate philanthropy’s fate until a decision is reached. The trial takes place Tuesday, April 12, 12–1:30 p.m. The entire trial and verdict will be presented live online at www.cof.org/annualconf.

WHAT:
Philanthropy on Trial, presented as part of “Windows,” the Council on Foundations 2011 Annual Conference

WHEN:
Tuesday, April 12, 12–1:30 p.m.
Council on Foundations Annual Conference

WHERE:
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
1201 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Grand Ballroom E-L, Level 5

HOW:
Credentialed members of the media interested in covering the conference should contact Ashley Mills at 703-879-0771 or milla@cof.org.

The full conference agenda is available at: http://www.cof.org/events/conferences/2011Annual/index.cfm?ref=hpcs.

Follow online conference networking venues for real-time coverage of the proceedings:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/COF_
Facebook: www.cof.org/facebook
RE: Philanthropy: blog.cof.org

The Council on Foundations (www.cof.org), formed in 1949, is a nonprofit membership association of grantmaking foundations and corporations. Members of the Council include more than 1,750 independent, operating, community, public, and company-sponsored foundations, and corporate giving programs in the United States and abroad. The Council’s mission is to provide the opportunity, leadership, and tools needed by philanthropic organizations to expand, enhance, and sustain their ability to advance the common good.