Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation (PSI)

About PSI

Grantmaking foundations, nonprofit organizations, social enterprises and public-private partnerships offer lasting solutions to societal challenges. They are at the heart of civil society. This program seeks to inform and maximize the impact of these social sector actors through leadership development initiatives, convenings, and communications so that each can contribute to the good society at home and abroad. The Program's theory of change rests on the premise that if their leaders have clarity about their values, are collaborative in their approach to problem-solving, and are aware of the strategies and potential partnerships available to them, they are more likely to succeed in advancing the social good.

The Program hosts the Aspen Philanthropy Group, an agenda-setting body of foundation, nonprofit, and private sector leaders at the cutting edge of change. The issues its members identify are subsequently considered in cross-sector working groups, with the aim of gaining consensus where possible and spurring collaborative action when opportune. Among the current workshop series is an effort to ensure high-quality and accessible statistical data on social sector activity. The Program's leadership development initiatives include the American Express Foundation-Aspen Institute Fellowship for Emerging Nonprofit Leaders; the Aspen Philanthropy Seminar-Aspen; and the Seminar Series for Mid-America Foundation CEOs. Its communications program includes the Aspen Philanthropy Blog, authored by Jane Wales, and special publications on topics affecting philanthropy and those it supports.

Leadership and Staff:

• Jane Wales, Vice President, Philanthropy and Society
• Alan Abramson, Senior Fellow
• Eric Boehm, Finance and Program Manager
• Cinthia Schuman Ottinger, Deputy Director for Philanthropy Programs
• Tracey Rutnik, Deputy Director for Research and Policy

New Initiative
PSI has launched the Impact Economy Initiative (IEI) to better understand trends in impact investing and develop recommendations as to how public policy can create an enabling environment to stimulate and support this growing field. IEI will utilize a collaborative model that engages a wide range of constituencies such as entrepreneurs and executives as well as investors and philanthropists to elevate innovation, develop new ideas and inform policy development.

Contact Aspen PSI at:
Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation
The Aspen Institute
One Dupont Circle, NW
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 736-5855 (phone)
(202) 293-0525 (fax)
eric.boehm@aspeninstitute.org
http://www.aspeninstitute.org/psi