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NEW YORK-
The George Heyman, Jr. Center for Philanthropy and
Fundraising (www.scps.nyu.edu/philanthropy),
within the New York University School of Continuing
and Professional Studies, announced today that it
has called upon preeminent thought leaders in
fundraising and philanthropy to come together to
address one of the most compelling issues in the
nonprofit sector today: Given the mismanagement of
donated funds, excess compensation and even criminal
behavior in some instances, can the nonprofit world
effectively regulate itself or is outside
intervention required to protect the rights of
donors?
The day-long panel titled
"Charities
on Trial: Do We Need More Regulation",
will be held at NYU's Kimmel Center on
Wednesday,
February 17, 2010,
from 9 am to 6 pm.
Can Nonprofits be Trusted to Self-Regulate?
"Bernie
Madoff is the poster child for wrongdoing in the
investment world, but where is the accountability
for nonprofit boards that entrusted their endowments
to Bernie Madoff and others like him", says
Naomi Levine, chair and executive director of the
George H. Heyman, Jr. Center for Philanthropy and
Fundraising.
"The
Madoff scandal, the recent New Jersey case involving
Stevens Institute of Technology, and numerous other
examples have assuredly impacted the willingness of
some donors to entrust their funds to nonprofit
organizations And, given the importance of the U.S.
nonprofit sector consisting of about 1.8 million
organizations that raise $309 billion annually to
deliver healthcare, education, social welfare, and
other critical services leading members of Congress
say that charities must take seriously the issues of
better governance and accountability, or the
government will do it for them. This Heyman
Center
conference will explore whether self-regulation of
nonprofits is sufficient, whether we need more
regulations, and what forms they should take,"
Levine continues.
Eliot Spitzer and Diana Aviv Are Featured Speakers
A highlight of the conference will be
"point-counterpoint' presentations on the issue of
greater governmental oversight. First, former
New York
governor Eliot
Spitzer, who gained fame as the country?s
top charity fraud activists during his tenure as
that state's attorney general from 1998 to 2006?will
make the argument for greater, tougher regulations.
Then, Diana Aviv,
president and CEO of Independent Sector, the
nation's leading organization of nonprofit
organizations, foundations, and corporations will
argue against government restrictions
and in favor of self regulation.
Additional speakers slated for the invite-only
session include
Doug White, author of
Charity on Trial
and a adjunct professor of ethics and fundraising at
the Heyman Center;
Neil Grabois,
Heyman Center senior fellow and former Colgate
University president;
Bill Josephson,
former head of the New York State charities bureau;
and Stephanie
Strom of the
New York Times.
Panels will cover ethics, foundation governance, the
role of the IRS, and the responsibilities of charity
boards.
"Charities on Trial" will be the first in a series
of conferences to be held annually in conjunction
with the
Heyman
Center, the
nation's preeminent educator of fundraisers and
grantmakers. Future conferences will cover key
issues in the governance, management and activities
of worldwide charitable organizations.
About The George H. Heyman, Jr. Center for
Philanthropy
and Fundraising
Now celebrating its 10th year, the Heyman
Center
was established to help fundraisers learn about the
complexities in fundraising and philanthropy and
help them become sensitive to the many ethical
issues that arise in governance and fundraising.
The Heyman
Center
has now taught more than 3,000 students and provides
more than 40 courses in non-credit Certificate
programs. It offers a two-year Master of Science in
Fundraising and Grantmaking Program.
About the
NYU
School
of Continuing and Professional Studies
Established in 1934, NYU-SCPS is among the several
colleges and schools that comprise
New York University, one of the
largest private research universities in the United States.
Through its faculty, curricula, and vibrant
professional and academic networks, NYU-SCPS
captures the expertise of key sectors where New York
leads globally: Real Estate; Hospitality, Tourism,
and Sports Management; Global Affairs; Philanthropy;
Communications Media, Publishing, Design, and
Digital Arts; Business, Marketing, and Finance; and
the Liberal and Applied Arts, among others. Rigorous
and timely programs in these and related areas
attract undergraduate and graduate students immersed
in university life, working professionals in 14
graduate degrees, and New Yorkers of all backgrounds
enrolled in approximately 2,500 continuing education
courses, certificate programs, conferences, and
seminars annually. NYU-SCPS is widely considered to
be the most complete example of NYU's founding
commitment to be 'In and Of the City' and 'In and Of
the World.' |