Is the Right to Give Freely Under Attack?

Is the fundamental right to give according to one’s values under attack in America? Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette talk with two influential foundation leaders who are sounding the alarm and fighting back. Tonya Allen, president of the McKnight Foundation, and John Palfrey, president of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, discuss the Unite in Advance initiative — a coalition defending philanthropic rights — and the broader issue of giving as a crucial First Amendment right.

The conversation explores why these leaders believe we’re at a critical moment for U.S. civil society, how funders can increase their giving while continuing work on big goals like racial equity and halting climate change, and what individual donors can do to protect the American tradition of charitable giving.

We appreciate the opportunity to share this podcast and want to note that the interview was conducted by Buchanan and Nicolette with no involvement from the Chronicle’s newsroom.