Community

June 1, 2020 - June 2, 2021 | The Giving Pledge hosted a series of events highlighting the work of collaborative funds that enable large-scale giving. The Giving Pledge believes collaborative giving vehicles have great potential to quickly put large amounts of capital to work in order to meet critical needs around the world.

Giving Pledge signatories are united by a shared commitment to learning and giving, and many participate in ongoing learning events throughout the year, in addition to an annual conference. Pledgers come together to share ideas, opportunities, and challenges in giving, and to discuss ways to respond to society's most pressing problems. As the Pledge has grown over time, so has the demand for connection and learning opportunities. The Giving Pledge team has responded in kind by expanding the learning events offered to this community, including to family and staff who are also engaged in philanthropy.

October 23, 2019 | Hosted by Nick and Leslie Hanauer and the team at Civic Ventures, this session centered around a series of case studies and conversations exploring the art and craft of advocacy to enact changes in laws, norms and culture. Experts from government, industry, academia and philanthropy provided insights on a broad range of topics while delivering actionable advice to the Giving Pledge community on how to employ various levels of advocacy to drive systemic change, regardless of the political issues involved.

April 10, 2019 | Hosted by Liz Simons, Jim & Marilyn Simons, and Herb Sandler, this session discussed creating, scaling, and sustaining educational systems that provide high-quality learning for all students, exploring why going to scale is difficult, and what can be done to leverage more widespread improvement. The session reviewed work being done in the areas of early childhood education, great teaching and school finance and leverage points where philanthropy can engage to support systemic solutions.

February 6, 2019 | Hosted by Henry and Susan Samueli, this session featured conversations on the “what” and the “how” of integrative health, its impact on the healthcare system, and the role of philanthropy to accelerate and spread new models throughout the U.S. and beyond.

November 15, 2018 | Hosted by George Kaiser and the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF), this session featured a series of conversations about the development of a comprehensive portfolio of strategies to tackle issues of economic and social mobility for the city’s most vulnerable children and their families. Highlighted strategies addressed a range of issues including early child development, incarceration, diversity and inclusion, and social justice.

September 12, 2018 | Co-hosted by Pledgers Chris Hohn, Nat Simons, and Laura Baxter-Simons, this session explored a variety of approaches for philanthropists to engage on climate change, including overlap with other philanthropic areas such as: clean energy, oceans, health and air quality, food, and forests.

April 5, 2018 | Hosted by Ray Dalio in connection with OceanX, an Initiative of Dalio Philanthropies. This session provided a forum for philanthropists, filmmakers, and scientists to exchange ideas on ocean exploration and public awareness.

December 6, 2017 | Hosted by Pierre Omidyar and Democracy Fund, this session provided a forum to discuss high-impact strategies to strengthen America’s democracy. Academics and advocates covered issues ranging from a robust free press to modern elections, and from inclusive communities to a well-functioning governmental system of checks and balances.

October 11, 2017 | Hosted by Ann & John Doerr and Priscilla Chan & Mark Zuckerberg, this session highlighted some of the boldest ideas for reimagining education. Attendees heard from educators about the key opportunity areas in education, various approaches to systemic change, and the role philanthropy can play.

March 28, 2017 | Hosted in New York City by the Laura and John Arnold Foundation. This session explored how issues within the American criminal justice system – tensions between law enforcement and the communities they serve; the over-incarceration of poor, low-risk, and minority defendants; and court fines and fees that trap defendants in a perpetual cycle of debt and punishment – prevent the fair administration of justice, strain public resources, and undermine Americans’ faith in the system. Attendees heard from policymakers, law enforcement, practitioners, advocates and researchers who are spearheading reform efforts, and they discussed the role that philanthropy can play.

November 28, 2016 | Hosted in Washington, D.C. by David M. Rubenstein. This session explored “Patriotic Philanthropy,” a type of giving aimed at providing ongoing education for Americans about their history and heritage to help them become better-informed citizens. Through a series of panel discussions with leaders of national culture and heritage institutions, attendees gained insights into the unique role such institutions play in preserving and enhancing America’s history, heritage and culture.

February 1, 2016 | Co-hosted in San Francisco by the Omidyar Network, the Case Foundation, the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, and the Milken Institute. Attendees learned how values-led investments can simultaneously create positive social and financial returns.

January 10, 2013 | Hosted in Silicon Valley by Pierre Omidyar and the Omidyar Network. This interactive workshop focused on best practices and lessons learned for impact investing. Pierre Omidyar reflected on how he applies principles from his experience in the private sector – scale, capital efficiency, and sustainability – to his philanthropic approach.

January 10, 2013 | Hosted in Silicon Valley by Pierre Omidyar and the Omidyar Network. This interactive workshop focused on best practices and lessons learned for impact investing. Steve Case explained how capital systems can be leveraged for philanthropic impact, highlighting that impact investing offers a wide range of returns bridging between charitable giving and commercial investing.