RECENT NEWS: Nicole Gallant, Programme Executive at The Atlantic Philanthropies and member of the Board of Directors of PACE, has been named the new Director of Learn and Serve America and Strategic Education Advisor at the Corporation for National and Community Service. Patrick Corvington, CEO of the Corporation, made the announcement in a speech marking the one year anniversary of the passage of the Kennedy Serve America Act.
For more information go to: http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/newsroom/releases_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=1705
New PACE White Paper Outlines Executive Branch Approaches to Civic Engagement and Philanthropy
May 11, 2010
Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE) is pleased to announce the release of its latest publication, "An Evolving Relationship: Executive Branch Approaches to Civic Engagement and Philanthropy." This white paper is based on a briefing memo prepared for a White House meeting earlier this year between leaders of the philanthropic community and Executive Branch officials. The meeting focused on the topics of service, civic engagement, social innovation and public participation and where there might be shared interests between the two groups.
A pdf version of the paper is attached and we would urge you to share it widely with your colleagues.
"We are at a moment that many in the civic engagement field see as a threshold. Fundamental changes are taking place in the way that citizens interact with institutions, demanding new and more creative approaches to civic engagement," said PACE executive director Chris Gates. "The new Administration and the field of philanthropy have both made it clear that they want to be a part of the conversation about how our nation can craft a new kind of relationship between citizens, civil society and government."
An Evolving Relationship was prepared for PACE by Brad Rourke of The Mannakee Circle Group. The paper provides a broad overview of Executive Branch approaches to civic engagement, participation, and service over the past two decades. It also describes how philanthropy has worked with the federal government on these issues over the same time frame.
The paper argues that a number of key trends in White House approaches to civic engagement are now intersecting and suggest a great deal of possibility for moving forward in the near future. Civic engagement is a clear priority for this administration and has becoming increasingly embedded in the policies and practices of a number of Federal agencies. At the same time, key philanthropic institutions are making increasing commitments to the fields of deliberative dialogue, civic engagement and democratic practice.
For more information about PACE or this paper contact:
- Chris Gates, Executive Director of PACE, at cgates@pacefunders.org
-Brad Rourke, Mannakee Circle Group at rourke@mannakeecircle.com
PACE - Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement is a learning community of grantmakers and donors committed to strengthening democracy by using the power, influence and resources of philanthropy to open pathways to civic and community participation.
Civic Engagement: There are many ways in which people participate in civic, community and political life and, by doing so, express their engaged citizenship. From volunteering to voting, from community organizing to political advocacy, the defining characteristic of active civic engagement is the commitment to participate and contribute to the improvement of one’s community, neighborhood and nation.
PACE is a national learning community of grantmakers and donors committed to strengthening democracy by using the power and resources of philanthropy to open pathways to civic participation. Formerly known as the Grantmakers Forum on Community and National Service, PACE recently renamed itself to signal a broader approach to educating grantmakers about effective civic engagement strategies that strengthen our communities. These strategies include community problem solving, civic education, leadership training, and political reform.
John Esterle serves as President of the board of PACE. John is Executive Director of The Whitman Institute in San Francisco and his full bio can be read here.
Chris Gates is the first Executive Director of PACE, named to that posititon in 2006. Gates is the former President of the National Civic League, and an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Leadership of PACE offers Chris the opportunity to sustain his career-long commitment to promoting democratic renewal, citizen activism and meaningful participation in community affairs. Gates is a national leader and frequent speaker on topics relating to the state of our democracy, the interaction between citizens and government, and innovative community problem solving.
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