Pittsburgh
PA 15260
A Philanthropy Forum Lecture by Stephen Heintz, President, Rockefeller Brothers Fund
With growing disparities between rich and poor in America, the discord and dysfunction evident in national political discourse and policy, traditional forms of debate and mediation in American politics seem frail or frayed completely. Despite the role of social media and other more democratic forms of engagement, politics has become more fractured, fraught and weighted toward those with the financial wherewithal to convey their points. Being heard today in politics involves large amounts of financial capital, much of it contributed by supporters whose identities remain cloaked in legal structures enabled by the Citizens United and other decisions.
What can philanthropy legally and programmatically do to revitalize civic engagement that counteracts or corrects the course of these forces? How can funders work with community groups, their grantees and others to restore the civility and soul inherent in democracy? How can big data and other methods influence public perceptions of key issues while helping to forge public consensus on the way forward? These are some of the issues that Rockefeller Brothers Fund has tackled in its efforts to renew democracy.
Attend this lecture to hear about Rockefeller Brothers Fund’s work supporting civic engagement and the lessons learned. Local community leaders from the nonprofit, philanthropic and public sector will serve as respondents and help us think together about how Pittsburghers can ensure that more voices are heard in policy discourse.
This lecture is free of charge and open to the public.