Defending the Freedom to Give with Tonya Allen and John Palfrey

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.

Unite in Advance

McKnight Foundation

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

CEP Blog: “A Wave Forming? Funders Taking Action in Response to a Challenging Context”

Council on Foundations

Independent Sector

National Council of Nonprofits

GroundBreak Coalition

More Perfect

Press Forward

Giving Done Right episode featuring Julie Butner