Business, Foundation, Government, Media and Nonprofit Leaders Meet in Silicon Valley to Discuss New Ways of Giving.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 6, 1999--

Leon Panetta To Moderate Roundtable Discussion Featuring Rep. Zoe

Lofgren, Steve Kirsch, Kathy Levinson, Steve Nissen, Peter

Hero and Sterling Speirn

The changing role of philanthropy in Silicon Valley and across the nation will be addressed in a July 8, 1999 roundtable discussion -- "Frontiers in Philanthropy: News Ways of Giving in a Time of Change" -- at the San Jose Repertory Theater (9-11:30a.m.).

Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, government officials, foundation and nonprofit leaders and members of the media will examine the role of foundations in making life better for Americans and their communities.

The forum will examine approaches foundations can take to help deliver solutions to chronic social problems. It will also discuss ways foundations can work with business and government leaders to create a public environment that encourages -- and secures -- increased and more effective ways of giving.

"A recent national survey revealed that Americans don't really understand the specific ways foundations work to improve lives in their communities," said Dorothy S. Ridings, President and CEO of the Council on Foundations.

"However, Americans do value the strong tradition of philanthropy that foundations represent and grasp that foundation support is essential to many services and advances in society. This forum will provide a highly visible discussion of the role and value of foundation giving."

Former White House chief of staff Leon Panetta is scheduled to moderate the panel discussion. Participating panelists include Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Steve Nissen, senior special assistant to Governor Davis, Steve Kirsch, Founder and CEO of InfoSeek, Kathy Levinson, President & COO of E

rade, Peter Hero of
the Community Foundation Silicon Valley, Sterling Speirn of the
Peninsula Community Foundation, and David Ignatius, Associate Editor
of the Washington Post.
      Frontiers is planned as the first in a series of regional forums
to increase public awareness of organized philanthropy. As more and
more people create foundations for charitable purposes--the number of
foundations has more than doubled since 1980--the range and impact of
foundation grantmaking has increased as well. With predictions that
more than $10 trillion will pass from older to younger generations
over the next 30 years, the opportunities for individuals to act upon
their charitable intentions through foundations has never been
greater.
     San Jose was selected as the site of the first event because of
the phenomenal growth in personal wealth in the area that has resulted
from hi-tech entrepreneurship and industry. However, a recent survey
by the Community Foundation Silicon Valley revealed that about
one-third of households in the region earning more than $100,000 give
$1,000 or less to charity. One form of giving--so-called "venture
philanthropy"--has become popular with some high-profile donors. But
the verdict is still out on how effective using venture capital models
for philanthropic giving can be. The forum panel will examine the rise
of venture philanthropy and its potential impact on nonprofit
organizations in need of foundation support.
     The event is sponsored by The Council on Foundations, in
cooperation with the Community Foundation Silicon Valley, the
Peninsula Community Foundation, Northern California Grantmakers and
the American Leadership Forum-Silicon Valley.
     Founded in 1949, the Council on Foundations is a nonprofit
membership association of grantmaking foundations and corporations.
Members of the Council include more than 1,700 independent, operating,
community, public and company-sponsored foundations, corporate giving
programs and foundations in other countries. The Council's mission is
to promote responsible and effective philanthropy.