Contemporary Issues in Philanthropy
Organized by Dr. Aly Kassam-Remtulla,
Vice Provost for International Affairs
School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University (Fall 2025)
Organized by Dr. Aly Kassam-Remtulla,
Vice Provost for International Affairs
School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University (Fall 2025)
In Fall 2025, Princeton University will host eleven leading figures in American philanthropy—many of whom have shaped the sector over the last decade and are navigating institutional philanthropy through a time of significant change. These guests will offer firsthand insights to the Princeton community about the current challenges and evolving strategies in the sector.
This event series complements a undergraduate seminar taught by Dr. Aly Kassam-Remtulla, Princeton's Vice Provost for International Affairs. His course offers an in-depth exploration of the contemporary landscape of American institutional philanthropy, addressing critical issues, evolving trends, and the ethical and practical considerations that influence philanthropic practices today.
Except for student-only sessions (as specified below), ALL events are open to members of the Princeton community and the general public.
Please check this website frequently as event details are being updated on a regular basis. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Kassam-Remtulla at akassam@princeton.edu.
Public programming is co-sponsored by the School for Public and International Affairs, Department of Sociology, the Research Development Office, GradFUTURES, and Service Focus.
1:30-2:30pm - Meeting with undergraduate and graduate students interested in careers in the non-profit sector (restricted to Princeton students). Contact Amy Pszczolkowski at alp19@princeton.edu to participate.
4:30-5:30pm - Fireside Chat with Aly Kassam-Remtulla (Robertson Hall, Bowl 001)
Stewardship in the 21st Century: Lessons from the Gates Foundation
This fireside chat will explore what it means to be a steward of resources, mission, and reputation at the highest level. Drawing on her leadership role at the Gates Foundation, Carolyn will discuss how institutions can manage vast resources responsibly, and plan for the long term while responding to urgent and immediate challenges.
12:15-1:15pm - Public Lecture (Robertson Hall, Bowl 001)
When Good Intentions Go Wrong: The Hidden Crisis in Nonprofit Boardrooms
How do well-intentioned board oversight mechanisms systematically undermine nonprofit effectiveness, and what can be done to address these failures?
The US nonprofit sector forms the backbone of American civil society, yet its governance structures are fundamentally broken, creating a crisis that threatens the very missions these organizations were designed to protect.
Despite their fiduciary responsibility to advance organizational missions, nonprofit boards frequently engage in counterproductive behaviors that impede strategic execution, compromise operational efficiency, and erode stakeholder confidence.
We will explore these psychological, structural, and institutional factors, then propose a framework for governance reform with targeted interventions to realign board functions with organizational objectives.
RSVP at: https://my.princeton.edu/GradFUTURES/rsvp_boot?id=1964462.
1:30-2:30pm - Meeting with undergraduate and graduate students interested in careers in the non-profit sector (restricted to Princeton students).
1:30-2:30pm - Meeting with undergraduate and graduate students interested in careers in the non-profit sector (restricted to Princeton students). Students can register here.
4:30-5:30pm - Fireside Chat with Heather Howard (Robertson Hall, Bowl 001)
Addressing Inequities in the American Healthcare System: Lessons from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Join us for a fireside chat with Avenel Joseph, Vice President for Policy at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Heather Howard, Professor of the Practice at Princeton University, as they examine how structural racism shapes health and healthcare in the United States. They’ll unpack the policies and power dynamics driving disparities—from access and quality to outcomes—and share evidence-based solutions the Foundation is advancing to build a more equitable healthcare system.
Midterms week - no public programming
12:15-1:15pm - Public Lecture - details forthcoming (Robertson Hall, Bowl 001)
12:15-1:15pm - SPIA Dean's Leadership Series Lecture (Robertson Hall, room TBA)
Time TBD - Meeting with undergraduate and graduate students interested in careers in the non-profit sector.
1:30-2:30pm - Meeting with undergraduate and graduate students interested in careers in the non-profit sector (restricted to Princeton students).
4:30-5:30pm - Public Lecture (Robertson Hall, Bowl 001)
Do Liberal Democratic Institutions—as We Know Them—Have a Future?
We are living through an historically unprecedented assault on the structure and status of the public and private institutions that comprise our modern liberal democracy. Why are our institutions under such vitriolic attack? How can they be defended? What does this moment portend for the these institutions and, with them, the fate of our democracy?
Public Programming details forthcoming
No public programming