Yesterday, the Mile High United Way board of trustees presented the 2008 Philanthropy Roundtable in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention festivities in Denver.  The dynamic discussion, held in the Boettcher Concert Hall, engaged accomplished individuals with a particular interest in the subject of philanthropy as a driving, personal force for change in the nation and world today.

Panelists included:
• Moderator: Walter Isaacson, CEO, Aspen Institute
• Diana Aviv, President & CEO, Independent Sector
• Dr. Lawrence Brilliant, Executive Director, Google.org
• Eli Broad, Founder, The Broad Foundations
• Caz Matthews, President, WellPoint Foundation
• Tim Marquez, CEO, Venoco, Inc.
• Mary Robinson, Former President, Ireland
• Rick Schaden, Founder, Consumer Capital Partners
• Ted Turner, Chairman of the Board, UN Foundation
• Jane Wales, Co-Founder, Global Philanthropy Forum
• Ambassador Andrew Young, Chairman, Goodworks International

Wealthy private citizens are increasingly seizing the reins and unilaterally attacking local and global issues via direct, engaged philanthropy. Similarly-motivated, corporations are increasingly challenging their clients and their employees to engage in coordinated, widely-publicized philanthropic campaigns.

The interchange between participants electrified the audience with a diversity of passions from climate change and the arts to education and human rights.

Ted Turner knew he needed to give back when he found himself a “little richer” than he had ever dreamed.

“Two billion people live on less than $2 a day,” he said.  “I had to do something.”

Rick Schaden said he woke up one morning in his late 30’s and it hit him: what have I done for my community?

“People want to give, they just need some help with the how part,” said Schaden.

Mary Robinson, the first female president of Ireland and human rights activist praised the US as a catalyst for change.  “The US makes it easy for philanthropists to give through the tax structure,” she said.

The keyword in nearly every panelist’s vocabulary:  collaboration. The panel agreed on how the three US sectors: government, business and nonprofit can use different lenses to examine complex social problems.  Essentially, all three sectors need to leverage each other to create long-term solutions. 

Many panelists also expressed their appreciation for young people as a force of good in our country.

“Young people don’t just go into business anymore; they have a strong social conscience and want to give back right away, “said Larry Brilliant.  “I believe our species has improved.”

Get the facts!  The war on poverty is not over.

As today’s theme at the Democratic National Convention in Denver turns to economic struggles, and as the 88th anniversary of women’s suffrage is commemorated, the U.S. Census Bureau released new data today on poverty, income, and health insurance.  Nearly 570,000 Coloradans, or 12 percent, struggle with poverty—the same rate from the previous year.  The trend of increasing child poverty continued with Colorado’s child poverty rate rising slightly to 15.9 percent.  Statewide data also showed that median household income increased from the previous year, and that 16.8 percent of Coloradans are uninsured, which is higher than the national rate.  Nationally, income inequality is a growing problem facing low- and middle-income earners.

“We’re hitting a false flat, where it looks like things were leveling off or getting better, but now are on course to get much worse,” said Kathy White, Project Director of the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute (COFPI).  “We continue to see too little action and too little progress in the fight against poverty. It’s long past time for state leaders to step up and start working to reduce poverty and hardship in Colorado.”

The Census data comes on the heels of other recent alarming news, including a Colorado Children’s Campaign report released in June that shows Colorado has the fastest growing rate of child poverty in the country.  Last year at this time, Colorado was the only state with a significant increase in child poverty, and a COFPI report also released last year showed that one in five households do not earn enough to make ends meet.

Poverty experts also point out that this data is from 2007.  So it does not take into account growing challenges facing families in 2008, such as rising food and fuel prices, increasing overall consumer prices (5.6 percent higher than in July 2007), rising unemployment (at a 3-year high in Colorado), stagnant wage growth, and other disturbing trends. 

As the eyes of the political world focus on Colorado this week, this new data on poverty, income, and health insurance serves as a stark reminder of the very real impact public leaders and public policies have on Coloradans.  While there is much to be proud of in Colorado, there are also some very real struggles that Colorado families are facing every day.  State and federal leaders have the unique opportunity to confront these challenges head-on, with smart, sound policy making. 

“Mile High United Way, along with our many partners, is working hard to help families gain financial stability and self sufficiency,” said Christine Benero, president and CEO of Mile High United Way.  “The facts of poverty in Colorado are not at all reflective of what I know Colorado policy makers to envision for our state.  There is never a more critical time than now for our policy makers to take action and make sure there is a strong, basic safety net for Coloradans who are struggling every day to provide for their families.”

Outraged?  Do something about it!  Donate, volunteer or advocate for Mile High United Way’s Adult Self Sufficiency initiative and become part of the collective generosity of metro Denver.

Beginning today, the national spotlight is shining on Denver as our fair city hosts the Democratic National Convention.  On behalf of Mile High United Way, let me be one of the first to welcome the delegates, volunteers, activists, and, indeed, the nation to the Mile High City!

Quick history lesson: Denver first hosted the DNC back in 1908.  But, did you realize that 21-years before that, a handful of forward-thinking Denverites founded what would become the modern day United Way? 

Since then, United Way has become the premier national force in leveraging donor dollars to make communities across the country better places to live.

In Denver, Mile High United Way is actively working with more than 150 community partners through our School Readiness, Youth Success and Adult Self Sufficiency initiatives. Together, we are building a foundation for a healthy community and changing lives every day.

I invite you to enjoy some of our success stories by clicking here.

Denver is truly a special place that I am proud to call home.  A place where the unparalleled natural beauty is surpassed only by the generosity and commitment to community of those who live here. 

Enjoy your stay and remember the Mile High United Way creed, “We can do more together.” 

Allied Insurance is a proud recipient of Mile High United Way’s Spirit of Hope Award. Allied is a leading property and casualty insurer committed to bringing together associates from different backgrounds, promoting the sharing of talent and ideas, and exceeding customer expectations. Mile High United Way embraces those same ideals by delivering long-term solutions for individuals and families in metro Denver by empowering them to become more productive members of the community.

Our annual United Way campaign is a critical piece of Allied and Nationwide’s overall giving strategy, which is focused on transforming lives at critical moments. At Allied, everything we do revolves around our customers. They’re at the heart of every decision we make. We know that the Denver community is one of our most important customers. It’s our pleasure to give back to the community that gives us so much and our United Way campaign helps us do that. Our tagline, On Your Side is really about being there when our customers need us most. Supporting and working with United Way helps us be there when the community needs us most.

That’s why Allied is proud to support Mile High United Way and why we’re proud to do our part in continuing to make this state a richer place to grow, live, and work.

Today, the New York Life Foundation presented a $7,400 grant to support Mile High United Way. The New York Life Foundation awards approximately 130 grants annually to local United Ways nationwide to boost community programs.
 
“We are proud that the New York Life Foundation supports our community through United Way,” said Mark Biren a managing partner of New York Life’s Colorado General Office. “New York Life has a longstanding commitment to humanity. The Foundation builds on this tradition by providing grants to worthwhile organizations like United Way, which help improve the quality of life in metro Denver and other towns and cities nationwide where New York Life agents and employees live and work.”
 
The New York Life Foundation is the major vehicle through which New York Life Insurance Company channels contributions to national and local nonprofit organizations. Through its Nurturing the Children initiative, the Foundation supports organizations, programs and services that target young people, particularly in the areas of mentoring, safe places to learn and grow, and educational enhancement opportunities. Since 1979,
the New York Life Foundation has donated more than $100 million to national and local nonprofit organizations.