Conference to Focus on Philanthropy as Catalyst for Social Change

The sixth annual Yale School of Management Philanthropy Conference will be held December 3 at the New Haven Lawn Club.

The theme of this year’s event is "Fostering Innovative Ideas for Social Change." Leaders in the field will discuss how philanthropy is going beyond supporting causes to shape and drive social innovation by leveraging tools such as open grant making, prize philanthropy, social media, and cross-sector partnerships. For a complete schedule, please visit the conference website.

Mark Kramer, managing director of FSG Social Impact Advisors, will deliver the opening keynote. Kramer oversees FSG’s consulting practice and action initiatives, which encompass a diverse range of areas including environment, global health, and community-based philanthropy.

Antony Bugg-Levine, managing director of the Rockefeller Foundation, will give the afternoon keynote. Bugg-Levine leads the Rockefeller Foundation’s initiatives on Impact Investing and Innovation and oversees the Program-Related Investment portfolio.

The conference will feature three panel discussions. "Cross Sector Partnerships to Promote Social Innovation" will explore ways in which private, public, and hybrid organizations can collaborate to identify and promote social innovations. "Philanthropy 2.0: The Role of Digital Media, Technology, and Networks" will examine how social media and technology are facilitating greater efficiencies and creating new markets in philanthropy to better support innovation and social entrepreneurship. The final panel, "Effective Philanthropic Models for Driving Innovation," will outline philanthropic and investing models that are effective for funding and scaling social innovation, such as prize philanthropy, venture philanthropy, and social investing.

Panelists include Ken Berger, president and executive director, Charity Navigator; Howard W. Buffett, former policy advisor, White House Office of Social Innovation; Marlene Ibsen, president, Travelers Foundation; Claire Lyons, global grant portfolio manager, PepsiCo Foundation; and Michael Smith, vice president, social innovation, the Case Foundation.
The conference is organized by Yale SOM Net Impact, a student organization committed to integrating business success and social impact. The conference is sponsored by Newman’s Own Foundation, Charter Oak Challenge Foundation, and the Yale SOM Program on Social Enterprise.