The Power of Giving 2023

Philanthropy's Impact on Social Justice

Graphic with abstract, multi-colored hands with text: Power of Giving 2023
Throughout our shared history, how has philanthropy advanced or impeded social justice? 
How does this history inform today’s work to create a more just and equitable future?

On September 21, the 2023 Power of Giving symposium featured a distinguished panel of community organizers, activists, philanthropists, foundation leaders, and historians discussing how philanthropy has advanced or impeded social justice, and how this history informs today’s work to create a more just and equitable future.

The day included panels led by the National Center for Family Philanthropy and the Museum's Center for Restorative History, and a conversation between the president and CEO of the International African American Museum, Dr. Tonya M. Matthews, and the museum’s David M. Rubenstein Curator of Philanthropy, Dr. Amanda B. Moniz.

Other noted speakers included Dillon Delvo, executive director, Little Manila Rising; Abigail E. Disney, filmmaker, philanthropist, and activist; Jessie Jaynes-Diming, president, Tallahatchie County Alliance, and board member, Emmett Till Interpretive Center; Dr. Anthea M. Hartig, Elizabeth MacMillan Director; Dr. Modupe Labode, co-director, Center for Restorative History’s Emmett Till Collecting Project; Maggie Loredo, executive director, Otros Dreams en Acción; Kelly D. Nowlin, principal, KDN Philanthropy; David M. Rubenstein, Smithsonian Institution Regent Emeritus; Nicholas Tedesco, president and CEO, National Center for Family Philanthropy; and Edgar Villanueva, founder and CEO, Decolonizing Wealth Project & Liberated Capital.

During the break, artifacts connected to social justice philanthropy were on display.

Videos

Coming soon.

The Power of Giving Symposiums

The annual Power of Giving symposium brings historic perspectives to contemporary conversations about philanthropy’s impact. View other Power of Giving symposiums focusing on annual themes: the 2020 Power of Giving symposium on Education, the 2019 Power of Giving symposium on Health and Medicine; the 2018 Power of Giving symposium on Culture and the Arts, and the 2016 Power of Giving symposium on Sustainability and the Environment. The 2015 Power of Giving symposium examined philanthropy more broadly as part of the launch of the Philanthropy Initiative.

The Philanthropy Initiative is made possible by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and David M. Rubenstein, whose generosity also supports the initiative's Power of Giving symposium.

Sessions

2023 Power of Giving - Museum Welcome

Anthea M. Hartig, Ph.D.
Elizabeth MacMillan Director
National Museum of American History

2023 Power of Giving - Symposium Series Welcome

David M. Rubenstein
Smithsonian Institution Regent Emeritus
Co-founder and Co-chairman, The Carlyle Group

Philanthropy's Impact on Liberty & Equality Before & After the Civil War 

Interviewer
Amanda B. Moniz, Ph. D.
David M. Rubenstein Curator of Philanthropy
National Museum of American History

in conversation with

Tonya M. Matthews, Ph.D.
President and CEO
International African American Museum 

15 min Q + A

Equity & Philanthropy:
A Conversation Hosted by the National Center for Family Philanthropy 

PART ONE

Nicholas Tedesco
President and CEO
National Center for Family Philanthropy

in conversation with

Edgar Villanueva 
Founder and CEO
Decolonizing Wealth Project & Liberated Capital 

PART TWO

Interviewer 
Nicholas Tedesco
President and CEO
National Center for Family Philanthropy

Panelists
Elizabeth Snowdon Bonner
President of the Board of the Hill-Snowdon Foundation
Co-Chair, National Center for Family Philanthropy Board Chair Peer Network  

Kelly D. Nowlin
Principal, KDN Philanthropy Consulting
Board Chair, National Center for Family Philanthropy

Edgar Villanueva 
Founder and CEO
Decolonizing Wealth Project & Liberated Capital

15 min Q + A

Community Perspectives on Social Justice Philanthropy: A Conversation with Center for Restorative History Partners

Interviewer
Modupe Labode, Ph.D.
Co‐Director, Emmett Till Collecting Project, Center for Restorative History
Chair, African American History Curatorial Collective
Curator, Divisions of Cultural & Community Life and Political & Military History
National Museum of American History

Panelists
Dillon Delvo
Executive Director
Little Manila Rising
Stockton, CA

Jessie Jaynes-Diming
President, Tallahatchie Alliance
Board of Directors, Emmett Till Interpretive Center
Sumner, MS

Maggie Loredo
Executive Director, Otros Dreams en Acción
Mexico City

15 min Q + A

2023 Power of Giving - Closing Remarks

Dr. Anthea M. Hartig
Elizabeth MacMillan Director
National Museum of American History