November 7, 2008 | Read Time: 1 minute
The leader of the Philanthropy Roundtable, an organization that represents conservative donors, kicked off the association’s annual meeting in Naples, Fla., today by describing the election of Barack Obama to the White House as a “momentous” occasion for the United States.
The fact that a black American son of a Kenyan farmer could rise to the highest office in the land “is an inspiring and quintessentially American story,” Philanthropy Roundtable President Adam Myerson told the 400 or so philanthropists and foundation leaders at the event.
But he also cautioned that Mr. Obama would likely propose policies that would expand government activities and services. “That is not our approach at the Philanthropy Roundtable,” he said.
The association does not oppose all public programs to, say, help the poor or improve education, but is concerned that some of them hurt volunteerism and “neighbors helping neighbors.”
Mr. Meyerson also warned that members of Congress have shown interest in proposing more regulations to oversee foundations, but that his organization was dedicated to protecting “philanthropic freedom.” He asked donors to join its lobbying efforts and introduced Sue Santa, the association’s new senior vice president for public policy.
Aside from the new administration and Congress, Mr. Meyerson said that the financial crisis has eroded foundation assets, some as much as 20 to 30 percent. Despite the losses, he urged them to help cash-strapped charities. “We encourage donors to be generous, contingent with their long-term objectives,” he said.
