Completed Courses

Join us for a conversation between foundation leaders Kelley Gulley and Lindsay Louie. They will cover a range of topics including pathways into working at a foundation, demystifying the grantmaking process, and philanthropic trends such as: trust-based philanthropy; measurement; listening and feedback; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and more. There will be time for open Q&A with Kelley and Lindsay as well.

In this enlightening session, Dr. David J. Maurrasse, Ph.D., provides a comprehensive review of the Valdry Center of Philanthropy’s journey, tracing its development from the initial feasibility study to its current reality. As the visionary Founder and President of Marga Incorporated since its establishment in 2000, Dr. Maurrasse has been a stalwart advocate for strategic counsel in philanthropic initiatives and the cultivation of impactful community partnerships. His leadership in transformative collaborations, notably through the Race and Equity in Philanthropy Group (REPG) and the Anchor Institutions Task Force, lends a unique perspective to the empowerment of communities.

Drawing from his influential roles at Columbia University between 2000 and 2023, Dr. Maurrasse’s luminary contributions to sociology and African American studies have been documented in impactful works such as “Strategic Community Partnerships” (2021) and “Beyond the Campus: How Colleges and Universities Form Partnerships with Their Communities” (2001). As an Emeritus Trustee at Bucknell University, he actively participates in events, sharing compelling narratives on the dynamic synergy between philanthropy and anchor institutions in addressing societal challenges. A distinguished graduate of the University of Michigan with a Doctorate in Sociology from Northwestern University, Dr. Maurrasse stands as a revered authority, poised to share valuable insights that promise to inspire a new era of impactful community engagement.

TMCF advances the nearly 90-year work and legacy of Justice Thurgood Marshall, a double HBCU graduate, to provide direct resources to HBCUs, nurture and advance Black talent in the workforce and create a more equitable society that will provide economic mobility for Black students and their communities. Justice Thurgood Marshall dedicated his career to fighting the inequities and social injustices still prevalent today, hindering the development and acceleration of Black talent. This is one of many reasons why the work of TMCF matters and this is the movement of our times. TMCF’s role in attracting and recruiting  Black talent is imperative now more than ever for corporations to develop a diverse, inclusive applicant pool for their workforce, amid increasing global competition. Without the protection of Affirmative Action, TMCF’s work carrying the mantle of Justice Marshall’s legacy is critical.

Philanthropy is experiencing a time of great change. Technology is upending established patterns of engagement in a context of great concentrations of wealth. Everyday donors are turning away from conventionally acknowledged ways of giving as we see more recognition of previously marginalized groups who have always held philanthropy as a core value and practice.  What are likely future developments in philanthropy.  What should they be?