New York (March 3, 2014) — The London- and New York-based Institute for Philanthropy and the San Francisco-based The Philanthropy Workshop West, the leaders in strategic philanthropy education, networking, and thought leadership, legally merged effective March 1, 2014.
Leadership from the two not-for-profit charities announced the marriage from their San Francisco, New York, and London offices in a video conference with members.
Several forward-thinking philanthropists, foundations, and advisors are at the heart of the creation and evolution of the two organizations, including the Rockefeller Foundation, leadership from HRH the Prince of Wales’s charities, the TOSA Foundation, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
The new entity will have offices in London, New York, and San Francisco, and be named The Philanthropy Workshop (TPW).
The two respective brands and websites (www.instituteforphilanthropy.org and www.tpwwest.org) will continue to operate until the organizations are fully integrated. TPW anticipates formally announcing its merger this summer in New York.
“Along with our co-vice chairs Olana Hirsch Khan and Bea Hollond, and other fellow board members, we’re taking an exciting step forward in building the Philanthropy Workshop, together,” Katherine Lorenz, the Philanthropy Workshop’s new board chair, said. “TPW’s combined network of more than 300 philanthropists—all trained in strategic philanthropy by our organizations—is the largest of its kind and unique to the field of philanthropy.”
The network hails largely from the United States and the United Kingdom with significant numbers from Canada and countries throughout Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia.
The two leading organizations in strategic philanthropy education, networking, and thought leadership legally merge
“Full alignment and integration of our two groups requires thoughtful and diligent planning,” Glen Galaich, the Philanthropy Workshop’s chief executive officer, said. “The Philanthropy Workshop will leverage the strengths of our founding organizations to bring members stronger programming, a broader network, and a united position as the foremost influencers of strategic and innovative philanthropy in the global community.”
Within a confidential forum of fellow philanthropists, participants in the Philanthropy Workshop’s “cohorts” acquire a roadmap for strategic philanthropy—the knowledge, skills, and networks necessary to achieve impact in financial giving and social investing, and to realize their full potential as philanthropists.
TPW’s curriculum includes case studies, site visits, peer discussions, and skills-building sessions, meeting with some of the best thinkers and leaders in philanthropy, including community and leading social entrepreneurs, and visiting organizations crafting solutions to local and global issues. Each cohort participates in three weeklong modules in different parts of the world, with an optional fourth module in Washington, DC.
“Strategic philanthropy is a rigorous discipline, requiring an excellent grounding in both theory and practice,” Tracy Mack Parker, executive vice president of the Philanthropy Workshop, said. “It’s not about quantifying assets as much as the need to be intellectually curious and seriously committed to, and optimistic about, making lasting change.”
