The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy promotes more effective philanthropy and strengthens the nonprofit sector through research that informs philanthropic decision-making and public policy to advance community problem solving.

Get to know our impact.

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Groundbreaking
Research.

Research is at the core of everything we do. Our studies document the changing landscape of philanthropy, examine how philanthropy can help solve community problems, and explore the complexity of philanthropic leadership, accountability and stewardship. These studies help to spark high-level discussions for further exploration and debate at our Forums and Roundtables. By translating research and analysis into actionable knowledge for donors and foundation leaders, we foster innovative strategies to scale impact.

MOVING TO HIGHER GROUND: PLACE-BASED INITIATIVES IN THE CONTEXT OF PUBLIC POLICY AND MARKETS
This year long inquiry looks at place-based efforts across the nation that focus on alleviating poverty, underscoring the importance of public policy and the economy, and culminating in a national forum: Prioritizing Place.

PHILANTHROPY AND GOVERNMENT WORKING TOGETHER
Research exploring the innovative role of Offices of Strategic Partnerships in catalyzing and stimulating partnerships between philanthropy and government in cities, states and federal agencies, presented at the White House.

IS THIS THE NEW GOLDEN AGE OF PHILANTHROPY?
This essay analyzes the philanthropic strategies — harnessing the power of networks, crossing boundaries to work with government, and leveraging all of philanthropy’s assets — to achieve unprecedented impact in the years to come.

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Inspiring
Speakers.

Judith Rodin, President, The Rockefeller Foundation and Eli Broad, Founder of the Broad Foundation. These are just a few of the nationally-known leaders that have shared their philosophies and experience as part of The Center’s Distinguished Speaker’s Series. The Center also offers smaller more intimate venues for foundation leaders, individual donors, family foundation trustees and others to learn more about issues they care about.

EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRLS
Jennifer and Peter Buffets, founders of the NoVo Foundation, shared their own philanthropic journey and their mission to transform society by empowering women and girls.

URBAN OPPORTUNITY
Rip Rapson, President and CEO, The Kresge Foundation and Irene Hirano Inouye, President, U,S,-Japan Council and Kresge Foundation Board Member discuss the dynamics of the board CEO relationship and philanthropic efforts to revitalize and expand opportunity in Detroit.

FOSTER CARE
Andrew Bridge, Executive Director, Child Welfare Institute, and Fred Ali, President and CEO of the Weingart Foundation discuss how philanthropic resources can best be deployed to improve outcomes for children and families in foster care.

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Illuminating
Forums.

Spurred by our research, The Center plays host to national forums and roundtable discussions focusing on important topics and trends. Our national forums are curated to highlight the important issues in the field of philanthropy, drawing in experts from across the country to share their insights and ideas and providing a venue for peers in philanthropy to learn from one another. The Center’s roundtables enable more in-depth discussion based on commissioned papers, allowing The Center and its partners to explore and facilitate meaningful dialogue and action.

PRIORITIZING PLACE
The Center on Philanthropy & Public Policy and the Sol Price Center for Social Innovation held a national conversation on the current state of place-based initiatives in December, culminating a year-long inquiry into philanthropic and public sector initiatives that address geographically-concentrated poverty.

PHILANTHROPIC IMAGINATION, INNOVATION AND IMPACT
The 2013 National Leadership Form looked at the philanthropic arc from imagination to innovation to impact, explored challenges some of board governance, and a variety of other issues from the power of women in philanthropy to evaluating and learning for greater impact.

PHILANTHROPIC GOVERNMENT COLLABORATION
The Center hosted a Roundtable in Washington, D.C. with government leaders and their partners in philanthropy and business to discuss the various structures that federal agencies are creating to better engage with others sectors and how they could be improved.