Schedule

8 a.m.

Registration, connecting, and coffee

8:30 a.m.

Welcome
Anne Martino ’88, chair, Forum on Philanthropy, Women’s Philanthropy Council

8:45 a.m.

“Reflections on Our Roots: A Call to Action for Generosity”

Women’s Philanthropy Council at the University of Wisconsin–Madison

Martha Taylor ’71, vice president of development, Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association; internationally known women’s philanthropy pioneer and leader

Introductions
Dorothy O’Brien ’70, chair, Women’s Philanthropy Council

9:10 a.m.

Plenary I

“Early Founders: Women’s Philanthropy Fueling the Women’s Movement”

Joan Johnson, prominent thought leader on women’s philanthropy; author, of Funding Feminism: Monied Women, Philanthropy, and the Women’s Movement 1890–1967

10 a.m.

Break

10:15 a.m.

Breakout Sessions

“Philanthropy: Giving Individually with Impact and Passion”

How do you align your values in philanthropy? What’s the difference between impactful and “feel-good” giving? How do you take your philanthropy to the next level of impact?

Giving values are both taught and caught — but taking values into action requires careful consideration of the needs of society and the issues you care about most. Giving for civil responsibility may take the form of memberships or annual gifts, but how do you determine the priorities for the major philanthropic investments in your life? How do you say no to worthy causes and focus instead on giving for impact? The speakers will present basic but high-impact philanthropy concepts and provide personal stories of implementation.

Lea Culver, cofounder, Culver’s Franchising Systems; executive director, Culver’s Foundation

Martha Taylor ’71, vice president of development, Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association

“Philanthropy Together: Giving Circles and Collaborative Gifts”

Women’s giving circles are growing exponentially around the world. They offer a means for women to combine their financial power with the long tradition of advocacy by women’s clubs. Matching and collaborative giving are other powerful giving tools that maximize societal impact. Internationally recognized leaders in the women’s giving-circle movement will describe how giving circles increase the culture of philanthropy and work effectively to address community challenges domestically and around the world.

Sondra Shaw-Hardy, cofounder, Women’s Philanthropy Institute; author; pioneer in women’s philanthropy; founder of the women’s giving-circle international movement

Wendy Steele, founder and chief executive, Impact 100; founder and president, Generosity Matters

11:30 a.m.

Break

11:45 a.m.

Plenary II

“Women Are Democratizing Philanthropy. When Everybody Gives, the World Benefits.
What Are You Waiting For?”

Wendy Steele, founder and chief executive, Impact 100; founder and president, Generosity Matters

12:30 p.m.

Walk to the buffet in the Alumni Lounge

12:45–1:45 p.m.

Lunch Buffet
Table discussion facilitated by undergraduate students in leadership and community studies, and members of the Women’s Philanthropy Council.

2 p.m.

Breakout sessions

“Leadership: Solving Society’s Issues Together. How Do You Partner with Others?”

Nonprofits, individuals, informal community groups, governmental entities, business, and higher education all conduct efforts to address the grand challenges of society. How can and should various actors and entities pursue and structure the right types of partnerships for maximum effectiveness and positive impact? How do we guard against duplication while still remaining flexible and open to the inspired and innovative work of new initiatives? How, as donors, do we choose which issues and efforts deserve the focus of our self-education and financial support? Do we have a role in encouraging meaningful partnership among change agents for maximum positive impact? How can we address the urgent needs facing our communities while at the same time explore their root causes? How can the right kinds of partnerships and philanthropy address this necessary balance?

This session promises to give insights about a range of partnerships that are relevant to philanthropy in times that demand our most thoughtful collaborative work.

Julie Bauer, executive director, Alliant Energy Foundation
Laura Dresser, assistant clinical professor, UW–Madison School of Social Work
Souphaphone Maddox, board president, Goodman Community Center
Dorri McWhorter ’95, CEO, YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago
Moderator: Mary Beth Collins MA’05, JD’05, director of centers, UW–Madison School of Human Ecology

“Leadership: Serving on and Leading Boards. What’s Expected, What Works?”

Giving money, time, and talent are the primary prerequisites of serving on major philanthropy boards. Service on boards, especially for major institutions and organizations, is a key part of improving society.

What is expected of you as a board member? What are the different roles of a major board versus a “hands-on,” small nonprofit? What is the role of fundraising for a board chair? How is a university’s board of visitors different? Two board-chair-and-president duos from nonprofit organizations will present insights into effective working relationships and the importance of women serving in leadership positions on boards.

Diane Ballweg ’85, board chair, Madison Community Foundation; board of advisors, UW–Madison Mead Witter School of Music
Bob Sorge ’90, MBA’13, president, Madison Community Foundation
Debbie Cervenka, immediate past board chair, Wisconsin Nature Conservancy; campaign cochair, UW–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine
Mary Jean Huston, director, Wisconsin Nature Conservancy
Moderator: Susan Cook, director, UW–Madison Mead Witter School of Music

3:15 p.m.

Break

3:30 p.m.

Plenary III

“Call to Action and the Way Forward”

A summary and conversation: what are our action steps going forward?

Cora Marrett MA’65, PhD’68, former acting director and deputy director, National Science Foundation; recipient, 2017 UW honorary degree; member, Women’s Philanthropy Council

4:30 p.m.

Adjourn

5:30–8 p.m.

Special Postforum Gathering: Chazen Evening in the Museum

Enjoy and learn from a visit to the Chazen Museum of Art along with attendees of the 4W Summit. Visit the exhibition Ancestral Modern: Australian Aboriginal Art. Meet in the Mead Witter Lobby for docent-led tours of the exhibition and works by women artists in the Chazen collection.