Philanthropy: A Catalyst for a More Perfect Union
The 10th annual COA Summer Institute welcomes John Palfrey, president & CEO of The MacArthur Foundation, in conversation with Darron Collins ’92, executive director of The Cromwell Harbor Foundation and former COA president.
What is philanthropy uniquely positioned to do that no other part of society can? In this conversation, Palfrey and Collins explore that question at a moment of profound change, reflecting on the evolving role of philanthropy in American life, what this moment asks of its leaders, and how the philanthropic community can help shape what comes next. They consider how established institutions and emerging initiatives can learn from one another, collaborate, and play complementary roles, while also examining how private giving intersects with public responsibility. As new challenges emerge—from artificial intelligence to climate change to the resilience of democratic institutions—they reflect on the growing importance of partnership across foundations, communities, institutions of higher education, and the public sector. Drawing on examples that span national initiatives and local efforts, including the role of community foundations, they discuss how philanthropy can act not only as a source of support, but as a catalyst for a more connected, informed, and resilient society.
The 2026 Summer Institute: Toward a More Perfect Union will mark the country’s 250th anniversary with a forward-looking series of conversations about the future of the American experiment. By late July, we anticipate that audiences will have encountered plenty of historical retrospectives and the predictable swing between overly patriotic and overly critical narratives. Our goal is different: To convene voices from across American culture—journalism, the arts, science, philanthropy, civic life, and beyond—and explore how the nation’s founding values have been, and continue to be, tested, reshaped, and reimagined. The Institute asks how these ideals can be stewarded, strengthened, and carried into the future.