The Wallis' free Center Stage panel discussion on radical philanthropy

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents Center Stage: A Fundraiser’s Guide to Radical Philanthropy in 2020 & Beyond, an invigorating and informative live virtual panel discussion moderated by CCS Fundraising featuring prominent philanthropists and fundraising experts from Southern California and beyond, on Monday, October 26, 2020, at 10 am (PDT). The free 75-minute presentation and panel discussion, geared for the arts and culture community, explores the different ways the philanthropic sector is addressing the work of mission-building and fundraising with fresh ideas and new eyes during this critical time.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Una Osili from the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy, the world’s first school on philanthropy. An internationally recognized expert on economic development and philanthropy who speaks around the globe on issues related to national and international trends in economics and philanthropy, she recently testified to the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee on supporting charitable giving during the COVID-19 crisis. She also leads the research and publication of Giving USA, the annual report on American philanthropy. She is joined by panelists Michael Fleming, Executive Director of the David Bohnett Foundation, a grant-making foundation charged with improving society through social activism, and Lisa Greer, a noted philanthropist and author of Philanthropy Revolution, with other panelists to be announced. CCS Fundraising Corporate Vice President Aashika Patel is the moderator and Rachel Fine, Executive Director and CEO of The Wallis, hosts the event.

“As we chart our emergence from the global pandemic crisis, The Wallis is facing the same challenging fundraising issues as many of our colleagues in the arts community across the county,” says Fine, “With an eye to community engagement and informing the next generation of major donors to the arts, this panel discussion addresses the outlook for the arts in 2021 and provides novel strategies and concepts that for fundraisers can apply to their own scenarios. We are delighted to have Dr. Onsili, who is one of the worlds’ foremost experts on trends and developments in philanthropy, anchor this panel discussion, and look forward to panelists Michael Fleming and Lisa Geer sharing their innovative insights.”

This free event carries forward The Wallis’ commitment to accessible arts and culture for the Los Angeles community and follows the successful Center Stage panel discussions in February 2019 about the future of arts education in Los Angeles, in May 2018 that focused on L.A.’s notable dance landscape and the inaugural event in September 2017 discussing women leaders and the arts in L.A.

Registration to the free digital broadcast can be accessed at www.thewallis.org/centerstage. Five event attendees will be randomly selected to win a signed copy of Greer's recently published book Philanthropy Revolution: How to Inspire Donors, Build Relationships and Make a Difference.