Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D., CEO and President of Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) and an internationally recognized philanthropy leader, will offer a public lecture at IU Indianapolis in Indianapolis on Jan. 26, 2015.
Carson will discuss "21st Century Community Foundations and the Question of Geography and Identity." His remarks and a response from Brian Payne, President and CEO of the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) will explore how and why different community foundations and the communities they serve define "community" differently, from local needs to global issues.
The event, which is free and open to the public and media, will be held from 5:00 to 6:30 pm at IU Indianapolis's Hine Hall Auditorium, 850 W. Michigan Street in Indianapolis.
The first person to serve in the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Chair on Community Foundations at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Carson is considered a visionary thought leader in philanthropy. Under his leadership, Silicon Valley Community Foundation is breaking new ground and exploring a host of new and innovative models for what it means to be a community foundation.
As founding CEO of SVCF, Carson led an unprecedented merger of two of the world's largest community foundations. SVCF now has over $6.5 billion under management; it is both the largest grant maker to Bay Area nonprofits and the largest international grant maker among U.S. community foundations.
Carson previously was CEO of The Minneapolis Foundation and prior to that oversaw the Ford Foundation's U.S. and global grant making program on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. Beyond his community foundation and grant making expertise, Carson is a noted authority on issues of social justice, public accountability and African American giving.
Payne has led the $715 million CICF and The Indianapolis Foundation since November 2000. During that period, the foundation's annual grant making has doubled to almost $50 million. Under his direction, the CICF staff and board redefined the foundation's business model and created clarity and focus on how best to accomplish its mission to inspire, support, and practice philanthropy, leadership, and service in central Indiana.
A major focus of CICF is developing, attracting and retaining highly educated, creative, entrepreneurial and community minded people. The focus is supported by three major initiatives: Family Success, College Readiness and Success, and Inspiring Places. Payne is the founder and leader of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick, an eight-mile pedestrian and bicycle pathway connecting significant arts, cultural, heritage, sports and entertainment venues in Indianapolis' downtown.
Payne has been very involved in the Indianapolis community for the past two decades. He was Managing Director of the Indiana Repertory Theatre for seven years and now is a member of its board. He currently also serves on the boards of CEOs for Cities, Indy Chamber, Downtown Indy, Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee and Visit Indy. He previously served as a board member of the United Way, Leadership Indianapolis, Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School and TechPoint Foundation.
About the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is dedicated to improving philanthropy to improve the world by training and empowering students and professionals to be innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change. The school offers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its academic, research and international programs and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, and the Women's Philanthropy Institute. Follow us on Twitter or "Like" us on Facebook.