On Monday, April 6, 2015, Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law welcomed
Garry W. Jenkins
, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the John C. Elam/Vorys Sater Professor of Law at the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Dean Jenkins gave an informative and engaging talk on “
Next-Gen Giving: How New Philanthropy Helps and Hurts.
” The Dialogue was moderated by Professor
Lan Cao
, the Betty Hutton Williams Professor of International Economic Law at Fowler School of Law.

jenkins2


Fowler School of Law Associate Dean for Research & Faculty Development Donald Kochan, Ohio State University Moritz College of Law Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Garry W. Jenkins, and Fowler School of Law Dean Tom Campbell.



Dean Jenkins explained that we are living in an era where mega-donors are infusing philanthropy with unprecedented funds. For many obvious reasons, this trend is good with positive impacts for the world, Jenkins stated. What is less obvious, he contended, are the ways that some of that giving can hurt the grass roots, experimental, and diverse non-profit sector and the services it provides. Dean Jenkins warned that we must challenge the conventional wisdom that all philanthropic giving is necessarily good giving. It is more complex, as Dean Jenkins revealed. According to Dean Jenkins, we must remain aware that the increase in directed money and more involvement by donors in the agenda setting for the groups funded risk undercutting the benefits that local, on-the-ground nonprofits bring to the use of funds. He advised that lawyers should make themselves aware of the complex picture involved in philanthropy so that they can better serve the groups they represent and so that they can be involved in setting the legal rules to maximize the utility of giving.

“Dean Jenkins forced us all to be more thoughtful in our analysis of the structures and models of philanthropy emerging in today’s giving society. His insights on the incentives that may be altered and diversions that may occur when big money ‘next generation’ donors change the accepted paradigm of funding and agenda control should be taken to heart for all those that want to see charity work well. Lawyers – who will be influential on boards, as advisors to philanthropists, and as shapers of public policy – can better engage with the new philanthropic world only if they pay attention to the type of issues Professor Jenkins’ research is uncovering.”

–Donald J. Kochan, Associate Dean for Research & Faculty Development and Professor of Law


The
Chapman Dialogue Lecture Series
is a series of distinguished lectures by innovative and forward-thinking legal scholars as well as some of the nation’s most prominent legal practitioners. Our invited speakers present their research and ideas to a wide audience of faculty, students, alumni and special guests.