Our Work
The Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation (PSI) gathers changemakers in a safe and trusted space to share ideas, collaborate, and advance social change.
About PSI
PSI catalyzes ideas into action to help strengthen our nation. We convene with fellow leaders in philanthropy to spur new approaches to solve shared problems. And we equip people with knowledge, resources, and networks to help them serve and support their communities.
Grantmakers, grantseekers, and social enterprises can help sustain a resilient society and robust democracy to benefit all Americans. They do this best when working in partnership with government and business. The Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation (PSI) at the Aspen Institute sparks initiatives, convenes leaders, and equips partners with the know-how to serve or provide support to communities. We work with fellow leaders in safe, trusted spaces to share ideas, strategize, and then act together to solve shared problems.
Jane Wales, a social sector expert, leads PSI. Her work sits at the nexus of civic engagement, citizen agency, trust, and democracy. Wales currently serves as co-chair of the Generosity Commission and sits on several nonprofit boards.
Our Work
PSI’s programmatic activities aim to increase trust in, the effectiveness of, and collaboration among philanthropic and nonprofit organizations and their leaders. Our communities of changemakers span the spectrum of American philanthropy, from national grant makers to everyday givers and volunteers.
Aspen Philanthropy Group
APG is composed of CEOs of 20+ national private, public, and corporate foundations. They share a commitment to strengthening civil society and their efforts to solve hard problems and bolster democracy.
Seminar for Mid-America Foundation CEOs
Mid-America convenes leaders from ~20 place-based foundations. Participants learn from each other, strengthen peer networks, build partnerships, and reflect on their work within the context of social issues and challenges.
Artist-Endowed Foundations Initiative | AEFI
AEFI aims to strengthen the charitable impact of private foundations created by visual artists. It is a critical resource for development, best practices, and opportunities as the field grows.
Nonprofit Data Project
This project advances open, available, and transparent access to nonprofit tax, workforce, and wage data. Since 2009, the project has convened research and data leaders to assess and press for changes to the U.S. nonprofit data collection system.
Community Foundations Initiative
Community foundations are poised to play an ever-increasing role in healing division, rebuilding trust, and fostering democratic decision-making. The challenge ahead: evolving business models to support this changing role.
Everyday Giving and Volunteering
PSI promotes dialogue around the findings and recommendations of The Generosity Commission. This work aims to highlight the impact of everyday givers and volunteers and foster conversations on the role they play in building trust and community.
Past Initiatives
The Intersector Project
The Intersector Project, hosted by PSI from 2022–2024, is a resource hub dedicated to advancing effective collaboration among the business, government, and nonprofit sectors in the United States.
Aspen Children’s Forum (2012 and 2017)
The Aspen Children’s Forum built and broadened consensus among philanthropists of all political stripes on ways to assure the health and well-being of children.