Promoting Meaningful Reform

Convention on Promoting Meaningful Reform in Philanthropy

September 18-19, 2014

Leaders in philanthropy from diverse backgrounds—including legal scholars, economists, political scientists, historians and foundation and nonprofit leaders—convened at Boston College Law School for a historic meeting to assess whether the current rules governing philanthropy adequately support the public good.

Philanthropy is the backbone of American society. Unlike many other countries that finance education, health care, scientific research, arts, and social safety nets primarily through government spending financed by tax revenues, the United States supports these important activities largely through private donations subsidized by tax benefits. This public-private partnership has resulted in many positive features of our civic landscape, including broad participation in charitable giving and unparalleled diversity in the charitable sector. At the same time, this system of funding is vulnerable to causing grave problems if the rules granting the tax benefit do not adequately ensure charitable dollars being put to charitable use.

The last time Congress addressed this issue in a comprehensive way was 45 years ago when it enacted the Tax Reform Act of 1969. This legislation overhauled the rules governing philanthropy and played a significant role in shaping the current structure and activities of the charitable sector. However, a lot has changed in 45 years, and the problems of 1969 have been replaced with the problems of 2014, causing many to wonder whether the time has come for Congress to revisit the rules governing the charitable sector with the goal of creating a closer alignment with the public good.


Become a Co-Sponsor


For more information about becoming a co-sponsor, please contact Professor of Law and Forum Convenor Ray Madoff


 

Conference Schedule

Thursday, September 18th
5:00 PM

Keynote Address: American Philanthropy in the 21st Century: Challenges and Possibilities

Stanley KatzPrinceton University

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

6:00 PM

Public Reception and Private Dinner to Follow

Convention on Promoting Meaningful Reform in Philanthropy

6:00 PM

Friday, September 19th
8:00 AM

Light Breakfast

Convention on Promoting Meaningful Reform in Philanthropy

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

8:30 AM

Welcome and Philanthropy by the Numbers

Brian GalleGeorgetown University Law Center
Jon BakijaWilliams College

8:30 AM - 8:59 AM

8:59 AM

What Makes an Organization "Charitable" and Should All Charities Be Treated the Same?

Miranda FleischerUniversity of San Diego School of Law
Rob ReichStanford University

8:59 AM - 10:00 AM

10:00 AM

Break

Convention on Promoting Meaningful Reform in Philanthropy

10:00 AM - 10:15 AM

10:15 AM

Reconsidering the Distinction Between Private Foundations and Public Charities

Evelyn BrodyChicago-Kent College of Law
Roger ColinvauxColumbus School of Law, The Catholic University of America

10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

11:15 AM

Taxation of Endowments

Daniel HalperinHarvard Law School
Henry HansmannYale Law School

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

12:15 PM

Lunch

Convention on Promoting Meaningful Reform in Philanthropy

12:15 PM - 1:30 PM

1:30 PM

Donor Advised Funds and Payouts

Alan CantorAlan Cantor Consulting
Eugene SteuerleUrban Institute

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

2:30 PM

Coffee Break

Convention on Promoting Meaningful Reform in Philanthropy

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

3:00 PM

Payout, Perpetuities, and Private Foundations

Paul BrestStanford Law School
Peter FrumkinUniversity of Pennsylvania
David MorseThe Atlantic Philanthropies

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

4:00 PM

Other Topics and Where Do We Go From Here?

Ray MadoffBoston College Law School
William BagleyBoston College Law School

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM