Aspen Institute Publications
Aspen Institute publications are listed below. Many are available for purchase through Google Checkout, a secure system for handling credit card transaction online. For assistance with ordering publications, please contact our Publications office by email or by phone at (410) 820.5433. Please note: Orders are shipped two times a week from our warehouse in Queenstown, MD, on the Eastern Shore.
The Artist as Philanthropist; Strengthening the Next Generation of Artist-Endowed Foundations
Volume 2 Considerations in Foundation Practice
A study of the emerging artist-endowed foundation field in the US
The National Study of Artist-Endowed Foundations, conducted for the Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation, is the first effort to define and describe the artist-endowed foundation field in the US. Though a small portion of all private foundations, these distinctively endowed entities are growing in number and as such, represent a potential force shaping cultural philanthropy and stewarding this country's postwar and contemporary art patrimony. The two-volume report detailing the Study's findings -- The Artist as Philanthropist: Strengthening the Next Generation of Artist-Endowed Foundations -- provides leaders in philanthropy, the arts, education, and journalism with an overview of the artist-endowed foundation field, its origins, current status, trends, and prospects. In addition, it offers artist-donors, their advisors, and foundation leaders a summary of considerations in forming, sustaining, and terminating artist-endowed foundations as well as planning and conducting foundations' charitable programs. Briefing papers by scholars in the arts and philanthropy address key issues in foundation practice.
View Volume 2 Considerations in Foundation Practice.
Download Volume 2 Considerations in Foundation Practice at no charge.
Digital and Media Literacy: A Plan of Action
Written by Renee Hobbs, this report offers a plan of action for how to bring digital and media literacy education into formal and informal settings through a community education movement. The report defines digital and media literacy as a constellation of life skills that are necessary for full participation in our media-saturated, information-rich society. The report is the second in a series of white papers commissioned by the Aspen Institute and the Knight Foundation to implement the recommendations of the Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy.
Retirement Savings: Confronting the Challenge of Longevity
As the world of defined contribution retirement savings has grown, and with the potential vast expansion of private retirement savings through automatic IRAs, the majority of savers now nearing retirement and in the generations to come will have nest eggs, which they will have primary responsibility for managing during retirement. Providing Americans the tools to manage the risk of outliving one's savings in retirement will be a major challenge of the 21st century. This white paper is is intended to describe how U.S. retirement policy arrived at this crossroad and to highlight some of the tensions and past choices that have brought the system to this turning point. The paper focuses on three areas of inquiry regarding the challenge of longevity at this point in time: employer plans, people and industry products. Understanding the journey the defined contribution plan system has made to this point in time is the first step toward charting its direction for the future.
The Case for Security Plus Annuities
As Americans live longer and increasingly rely on 401(k) plan savings as a prominent source of income in retirement, they will need to find ways to convert their savings into income that lasts a lifetime. Because the financial situations and goals of American savers are diverse, they will need a variety of products and services to secure their income. The Aspen Institute Initiative on Financial Security has developed “Security Plus Annuities,” a proposal that partners private industry with the Social Security Administration to offer low-cost, inflation-protected, “starter” life annuities. Security Plus Annuities would offer all Americans the ability to achieve greater financial security in retirement and would provide immediate assistance to two groups of Americans who have critical unmet needs for longevity-protected products: low- and moderate-income workers who frequently have not had access to a 401(k) plan at work, and near retirees whose work-based plans don’t currently offer lifetime income products.
Universal Broadband: Targeting Investments to Deliver Broadband Services to All Americans
written by Blair Levin, the lead author of the FCC's National Broadband Plan, this report outlines a detailed, sensible plan for deploying broadband networks to 99% of the U.S. population in 10 years-without requiring any additional federal funding. The report is the first in a series of white papers commissioned by the Aspen Institute and the Knight Foundation to implement the recommendations of the Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy.Free download.
An Electricity Grid for the 21st Century
Policy Brief: Whats Good for Women is Good for the Planet
Giving women and girls access to contraception offers a precious co-benefit: a substantial reduction in carbon emissions. The logic is simple: when women have the power to plan their families, populations grow more slowly, as do greenhouse gas emissions.
Funder Guide 16: Microenterprise Programs and Job Creation
Summarizes recent research results indicating the success of microenterprises in creating jobs that provide income for owner and employees alike. It also suggests ways funders might support programs in their services that assist entrepreneurs to succeed and grow their businesses. (4 pages)
Aspen IFS's Testimony at the Department of Labor and Department of the Treasury's Public Hearing on Lifetime Income
Pamela Perun, Policy Director of the Aspen Institute Initiative on Financial Security, testified before the Department of Labor and Department of the Treasury on the topic of fiduciary safe harbors for the selection of lifetime income issuers and products. Perun’s testimony was one of approximately 45 that were delivered at the two-day public hearing. The Agencies urged panelists to recommend measures to improve the adoption of lifetime income options, helping more Americans to enjoy financial security throughout retirement.
