The Philanthropy Awareness Initiative is a project to engage influential Americans in the work of philanthropy.

We work with foundations and other interested groups to:

• Identify, create and share the most effective ways to communicate with influential Americans about the value of foundations
• Engage government, business, nonprofit and news media decision makers in an open conversation about the roles, partnership potential, unique contributions and social contract of philanthropy in American society

Better connecting foundations with these leaders for greater mutual understanding and impact is a critical opportunity for U.S. philanthropy today.

Advisors:
Chris DeCardy, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Lowell Weiss and Anne Green, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Eric Brown, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Daniel Silverman, The James Irvine Foundation
David Morse, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Staff:
Mark Sedway, Sedway Associates
Courtney Spalding-Mayer, Northwestern University Public Interest Fellow

Partners and Resources:
Communications Network
Council of Michigan Foundations
David Fan, University of Minnesota
Harris Interactive
Karen Gibson, graphic design
Mainstream Media Project
SeaWeb
Williams Group

Phase 1 of PAI was led by Vikki N. Spruill, who has since become president and CEO of The Ocean Conservancy, and Hollis Hope, who has since become managing director of SeaWeb.