Philanthropy

In my view, philanthropy, as "voluntary action for the common good," is an essential characteristic of a healthy democracy. Through the years, I have been involved in philanthropic efforts from a variety of perspectives--as donor, volunteer, campaign chairman, board chairman,  and  after I left public service, as president of Lilly Endowment, one of the five largest private foundations in America. In 2000, I coauthored the book Fundraising for Dummies, now in its third edition (2010), and continue to consult, write, and speak on philanthropic topics.

Philanthropy in the U.S. continues to inspire awe and interest, and as with any vibrant and growing effort of this magnitude, we still have work to do. This page will share stories, thoughts, and items in the news that relate to philanthropy.