It's been called "The Philanthropist's Dilemma" and the "Now or Forever" question: Do I spend down or form a foundation in perpetuity?
This question of course comes with many others: is this really a binary decision? How should I find my own path? How do I take into account the size of my giving, my philanthropic strategy, my co-decision makers and my life plans?
Join us in conversation with Peter Smitham, Chair of Atlantic Philanthropies, to learn how philanthropists can approach decision-making around whether to spend down or to give in perpetuity. The session will last 60 minutes.
Peter Smitham was a founder of Permira (formerly Schroder Ventures), a global private equity firm where he fulfilled different roles for 30 years until 2015, including managing partner and chairman. Previously he had worked in the electronics industry, including a successful start-up in the 1970s. In 2000 Peter decided to “go plural” and include strategic philanthropy, social impact investing and emerging market private equity to his developed market private equity career with Permira. Since then he has served on the boards of MSI Reproductive Choices (formerly Marie Stopes), New Philanthropy Capital, and Population Services International. In 2004 he joined the Board of Atlantic Philanthropies - a multibillion-dollar organisation with a limited life spend down philosophy created and funded by Chuck Feeney. Peter served as the Board Chair of Atlantic Philanthropies from 2011-2020. In 2004 Peter and wife Lynne founded their family foundation, The Kiawah Trust, which focuses on improving the lives of disadvantaged adolescent girls in India.