Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors

Unique alliance gives donors tools and guidance to maximize philanthropic activities

SAN FRANCISCO and PALO ALTO, Calif., March 18 – Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and The Foundation Incubator today announced the formation of a strategic partnership that will provide an unparalleled range of professional management services and participatory learning opportunities aimed at helping donors to maximize the impact of their gifts.

A first-of-its-kind alliance, the move represents another advancement in meeting the mounting needs and concerns of modern-day philanthropists, according to Elizabeth L. Bremner, President, The Foundation Incubator and Melissa A. Berman, President and CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. The groups will collaborate in providing services to individual donors; co-sponsoring donor-education programs; increasing awareness of international giving opportunities; and working to support the unique needs of emerging philanthropists.

Founded by the Rockefeller family, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors is an independent, nonprofit service that helps donors create thoughtful, effective giving programs throughout the world. The Foundation Incubator, an active, engaged community of new and established foundations that stimulates collaboration and innovation in philanthropy, was founded in 2001 to address the needs of the growing number of philanthropists based in Silicon Valley.

“Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors has long admired The Foundation Incubator’s groundbreaking concept. This alliance is a natural step toward fulfilling our shared mission to provide donors with the support, information and resources they need to be thoughtful and engaged philanthropists,” said Ms. Berman. “We’re proud to be involved in a partnership that has the potential to shape the future of giving not just in the United States, but also the world.”

Elizabeth L. Bremner, president of The Foundation Incubator, called the relationship’s synergy “very exciting. By pairing our proven incubator approach with Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ track record of excellence in foundation planning, grantmaking and program management, we can offer donors a resource of great breadth and depth, and one that will help them see that the possibilities for meaningful and effective philanthropy are limitless,” she said.

According to both Bremner and Judy Belk, the former head of the Levi Strauss Foundation who now leads Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ San Francisco office, the partnership comes at a critical time for donors on the west coast.

“Despite the economic downturn, the region is experiencing unprecedented growth in philanthropy,” said Belk. “Many people have made a commitment that they want to be involved in philanthropy and the services of this collaboration will be invaluable to them,” she continued.

Based in Palo Alto, The Foundation Incubator’s 36 current members include family, corporate, public and community foundations and related philanthropic groups and individuals, with assets totaling approximately $30 billion and $1.6 billion in annual grantmaking. The organization’s peer-learning environment fosters best practices and encourages innovative ideas and new leadership in philanthropy. For more information please contact 650-354-1600 or www.foundationincubator.org.

Headquartered in New York City, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors has advised on and managed more than $850 million in giving to 40 countries over the past decade. Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors can be reached in San Francisco at 415-543-0733; in New York at 212-812-4330 or www.rockpa.org.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 20th, 2003 at 12:58 pm.