Event Recap: The Future of Philanthropy
Have you ever paused to consider what you want your community to look like in 10, 20, even 50 years?
What challenges do you hope we’ll overcome? What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? What hopes do you have for the children in your life? In a rapidly growing region like Charlotte, these are essential questions. If we want to build a thriving, inclusive community for everyone, we must intentionally shape the future together.
That’s why SHARE Charlotte and Foundation For The Carolinas partnered to create The Future of Philanthropy Summit - half-day experience where nonprofit leaders, funders, and philanthropists together envision the future of philanthropy in our region.
Together, we explored critical questions:
- What does the future of philanthropy in Charlotte look like over the next 10 to 50 years?
- How can funders and nonprofit leaders collaborate to create bold, new outcomes for our community?
- How might we set a national example by increasing generosity and citizen engagement?
The summit began with an inspiring keynote from philanthropic futurist Trista Harris, whose consultancy, FutureGood, helps foundations and visionary leaders anticipate and shape the future. Her keynote and panel discussion offered:
- A framework for developing a future-focused mindset - instead of a reactive mindset - that helps organizations adapt and thrive
- Insights into emerging trends that will influence our work, including The Great Wealth Transfer
- Practical tools for applying futurism to day-to-day decision-making
- How to use Artificial Intelligence as a partner
Key speakers and highlights:
- Keynote & Panel, Trista Harris: From Imagination to Reality - Building a Better Future
- Sherri Chisholm - Executive Director of Leading on Opportunity
- Doug Hague - Executive Director of Corporate Engagement at University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Dianne Chipps Bailey, Managing Director, National Philanthropic Strategy Executive at Bank of America
This panel discussed the impact of women in philanthropy, asking for what you need, sustainable growth, the importance of arts, Charlotte’s progress in economic mobility - and their hopes for our region.
- The Future of Funding
- Moderator Federico Rios, Senior Vice President, Robinson Center for Civic Leadership
- Family Foundation Giving: Deepa Naik, Senior Director of Impact at The Merancas Foundation
- Innovative grant making - Adam Santalla Pierce, President of the Arts and Science Council
- Corporate Giving and Trust Based Philanthropy: Natalie Brown, Senior Director of Corporate Citizenship at Ally
- Family Giving: Pete Keane, President at Keane Capital Management
Panelists shared the giving priorities of their organizations, the importance of two-way transparency in the funder-fundee relationship, opportunities to improve grant applications and feedback,, and the power of collaboration.
- The Future of Collaboration
- Moderated by Laura Yates Clark, President of The Foundation For The Carolinas
- Charles Thomas, Program Director at John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
- Tiffany Capers, Executive Director at CrossRoads Corporation for Affordable Housing and Community Development, Inc.
These leaders shared the importance of being proximate to the work/issues, listening to community leaders, and how there needs to be freedom -and funding - for innovation and testing new solutions.
The summit was hosted on May 14, 2025 at the newly renovated, historic Carolina Theatre at Belk Place with 450 nonprofit leaders, funders and local philanthropists.
It was a powerful step toward redefining what’s possible for our community—and the future we’re building together!