The Power of Giving 2015
Philanthropy’s Impact on American Life
December 1, 2015
On December 1, 2015, the National Museum of American History launched its Philanthropy Initiative with its first annual symposium, The Power of Giving: Philanthropy’s Impact on American Life. The program explored the past, present and future of philanthropy, broadly. Featured speakers included Warren Buffett, Nina Easton, Bill and Melinda Gates, John L. Gray, Nicholas D. Kristof, David Rockefeller Jr., David Rubenstein, Premal Shah, David J. Skorton, Henry Timms, Sheryl WuDunn, and Olivier Zunz. Jamie McDonald led a special community presentation from members of Baltimore’s nonprofit, foundation, arts, and education communities, including Ricardo Amparo, Carla Hayden, Sarah Hemminger, Joseph T. Jones Jr., Diana Morris.
Smithsonian Welcome
David J. Skorton
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution
Launch of the Philanthropy Initiative
John L. Gray
Director, National Museum of American History
Donation Ceremony: Objects Connected to Everyday Giving
John L. Gray
Director, National Museum of American History
“Real and Permanent Good”: Examining a Century of American Philanthropy
Interviewer
David Rubenstein
Smithsonian Regent
Cofounder and Co-CEO, The Carlyle Group
Panelists
Warren Buffett
Chairman and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.
David Rockefeller Jr.
Chairman of the Board, The Rockefeller Foundation
Olivier Zunz
Commonwealth Professor of History, University of Virginia
Author, Philanthropy in America
Lessons from #GivingTuesday
Henry Timms
Executive Director, 92nd Street Y
Founder, #GivingTuesday
Rising to the Challenge: Baltimore’s Response to Opportunity and Crisis
Jamie McDonald
Founder, Generosity Inc.
Sarah Hemminger
CEO and cofounder, Thread
Joseph T. Jones Jr.
Founder, Center for Urban Families
Diana Morris
Director, Open Society Institute-Baltimore
Carla Hayden
CEO, Enoch Pratt Free Library
Ricardo Amparo
Filmmaker and Student
Giving Back, Giving Hope: The Best Way to Make a Difference
Interviewer
Nina Easton
Author, journalist, and cochair, Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit
Panelists
Melinda Gates
Co-chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Nicholas D. Kristof
Columnist, The New York Times
Sheryl WuDunn
Journalist and cofounder, Full Sky Capital
Coauthor, with Kristof, of A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunity
Unlocking Citizen Giving Via Technology
Premal Shah
President and Cofounder, Kiva.org
Innovation and Partnerships: The Future of Philanthropy
Bill Gates
Co-chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
