Letter from the Chair
It is a pleasure to share this update on the exciting progress we are making towards a summer public announcement of the Generosity Commission. We have confirmed 14 Commission Members-Elect, a highly accomplished group with deep expertise and a wide variety of experiences across sectors and industries. We are confident that these Commission Members will lead the work of the Generosity Commission with rigor, creativity, and a hopeful view toward the future of generosity.
A crucial component of the Generosity Commission is funding academic research to explore and better understand recent trends and open questions about the state of generosity in America. Several commissioned studies are currently underway with the first series of findings available this summer. The results of this research will combine with knowledge and insight we gain through our National Conversation, which will help us learn directly from people and communities across the country.
We believe this combination of research and real-time insight will be a powerful combination and something which has not occurred in or been available to our nation for decades. It is overdue and will make a huge difference in our ability to understand the need and opportunities and take action.
I look forward to sharing additional progress and updates in the coming weeks. Thanks for your interest in the work of the Generosity Commission. You can learn more at The Generosity Commission website.
With warmest regards,
Ted Grossnickle
Chair, Working Committee
The Generosity Commission
Member Profile
Kim Meredith
CEO, San Francisco General Hospital Foundation
About Kim:
Kim Meredith is Chief Executive Officer of the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation and acts as the chief strategist, fundraiser, and advocate for one of the country’s top public hospitals, the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.
For eleven years as the inaugural Executive Director of the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (Stanford PACS) and publisher of the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Meredith was responsible for strategic leadership, strong financial performance, and consistent organizational growth, including scaling Stanford PACS through the expansion of research and programmatic initiatives.
Prior to joining Stanford PACS, Meredith served as the Chief Development Officer for Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) in New York City and the Chief Operating Officer at Planned Parenthood Golden Gate in San Francisco. Meredith launched her business career in corporate America at AT&T for nearly a decade.
Meredith serves on the Board of Directors of the George Lucas Education Foundation, Trust for the Americas, YPO Pacific U.S. Gold Regional Board, Stanford PACS, and the Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen Foundation (LAAF) Advisory Board. She also held a recent six-year board term at Essential Access Health where she served as board chair, and Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund (SV2).
In Kim’s words:
Why is the work of the Generosity Commission so crucial?
We had civil society, volunteering and giving before we had a government; these unique values are the underpinning of American life and a healthy democracy. But something has happened. These values have been declining, and now more than ever, there is need to rebuild, reimagine and reinvigorate society as we recover from a challenging year.
This past year has shone a light on the devastating impacts of systemic inequality and racism in this country. It has given us serious pause – and encouraged us to reflect on the role that volunteers, nonprofits and giving can play. But this is just the start. We must double down on leveraging our human, social and financial capital to elevate generosity of all kinds to the forefront of American society. The Generosity Commission represents a crucial set of work we must do to help us rebuild better, stronger and more inclusive.
We must double down on leveraging our human, social and financial capital to elevate generosity of all kinds to the forefront of American society.” – Kim Meredith, CEO, San Francisco General Hospital Foundation
Current Insights on Generosity
Giving Tuesday Releases New Report
Giving Tuesday released a new report, Giving in Unprecedented Times, A lookback at 2020 U.S. Giving Data and Trends, that provides a deep look into the patterns of monetary donations to nonprofits organizations in 2020. Learn More: Giving Tuesday: Giving in Unprecedented Times, A lookback at 2020 U.S. Giving Data and Trends
Nonprofit Times Reports on Fidelity Charitable’s Recent Study
The NonProfit Times reported on Fidelity Charitable’s recent study, The Future of Philanthropy: The Evolution from Charitable Giving to Charitable Living, which explores how Millennials view philanthropy and the actions they take for social good. Learn More: Millennials Value Everyday Social Good Above Cash Donations – The NonProfit Times; 2021 Future of Philanthropy | Fidelity Charitable
CAF America Studies COVID-19 Impact
CAF America has been studying the impact of COVID-19 on nonprofits worldwide for 12 months. Over the course of the year, they have released seven reports on the status of charitable organizations worldwide and their outlook for the future. Learn More: COVID-19 Reports – CAF America
Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Charts Donation Trends
A recent study by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, in partnership with Bank of America, found that nearly 90% of affluent donors gave to charities in 2020 and nearly half donated in response to the pandemic. Learn More: IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy News: News & Events: Lilly Family School of Philanthropy: IUPUI
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