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  • Civics Education Programs Making a Difference This Constitution Day

    As we approach Constitution Day, it’s worth exploring whether educators are prepared to teach students about the Constitution and its history in a manner that is accurate, effective and engaging. While it may not be widely known, numerous organizations spend their summers offering workshops and institutes to equip teachers with the resources to teach civics and American history during the school year.  

    This effort should not go unnoticed, because civics, when effectively taught, promotes and preserves good citizenship. As teachers and students get back to work this fall in earnest, here’s a look back at some organizations that worked with educators over their break to ensure they’re well prepared to teach this important subject:   

    Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge (FFVF) hosted nearly 250 teachers across the United States this summer for one of their five week-long teacher programs and one traveling workshop. Their special guests and speakers included eminent scholars such as CherylAnne Amendola, Frederick Douglass descendant Kevin Douglass Greene, Dr. Joe Fornieri, Dr. Allen Guelzo, Mae Krier and Stephanie Townrow. Seminar topics included “Frederick Douglass: Legacy and Impact,” “Constitutional History,” “American Revolution South (Traveling Workshop),” “Medal of Honor Legacy: Cold War,” “Women in American History” and “Abraham Lincoln and His America.” 

    Over the past 50 years, nearly 14,000 educators from around the world have enriched their knowledge and their classrooms through FFVF’s critically acclaimed and accredited seminars. 

    The George Washington Teacher Institute Summer Residential Program at Mount Vernon offers educators an opportunity to attend a five-day immersive professional development program to learn more about George Washington and the 18th century world he lived in. Their format, with a different thematic focus for each program, allows educators to explore an 18th century subject that is most relevant to their classrooms. Participants learn from a variety of visiting and estate experts about how to bring the first president and his world to their 21st century students.  

    Topics in 2023 included “Martha Washington and the Women of the 18th Century,” “The Great Experiment: George Washington and the Founding of the U.S. Government,” “Slavery in George Washington’s World,” “George Washington at War: From Soldier to Commander in Chief,” “George Washington and the Economy of a New Nation” and “Leadership and Legacy: Lessons from George Washington.” 

    At the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History  (GLI), educators can choose from a variety of in-person and virtual summer professional development opportunities. These include 12 online teacher seminars, including “The Making of America,” a two-week National Endowment for the Humanities summer institute; The Gilder Lehrman Teacher Symposium, a five-day program at Gettysburg College “Statesmanship in American History,” hosted and funded by the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University; “Reframing Lincoln Seminar: Myth, Memory,” “Changing Narratives; United States Foreign Policy, 1898 to Present” and “The Making of America: Colonial Era to Reconstruction.” 

    The National Constitution Center (NCC), located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offers in-person and online resources to educators across the country and “serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate.” It hosts over 160 educators from across the country for its series of summer institutes, which bring together top educators and ideologically diverse constitutional scholars.  

    Over the course of week-long in-person sessions and three-day virtual sessions, participants work with content experts during these programs to deepen their knowledge of constitutional topics and their historical contexts and modern understandings. During the summer institutes, educators discover and develop ways to make content relevant to their students. Educators leave having gained new content knowledge, teaching tools, classroom-ready resources and skills for improving constitutional literacy. 

    NCC’s approach has three main components: (1) building a historical foundation through storytelling of the Constitution’s founding and exploring how courts have interpreted it over time; (2) learning how to interpret the Constitution like a constitutional lawyer by asking what the government constitutionally may not do, not what it should do and (3) developing the skills of civil dialogue and reflection. Programs are open to educators working with grades 5 – 12 at public, charter, independent, parochial and other schools. Topics in 2023 included “Constitutional Conversations and Civil Dialogue” and “Principles of the American Revolution.” 

    The Jack Miller Center (JMC) has continued to grow its resources for K-12 teachers, offering 24 teacher education programs across nine states this summer, which included graduate courses in Illinois and Massachusetts, symposiums in Florida and Wisconsin, a summer institute in Texas and workshops in Virginia. JMC’s faculty partners covered topics such as the American Revolution, Alexis de Tocqueville, the First Amendment and Frederick Douglass. See this comprehensive list of the Summer 2023 seminars to learn more about the topics covered, locations (frequently university campuses) and faculty who partnered with JMC.  

    Due to the generosity of donors, FFVF, GLI, NCC and JMC all provide scholarships to participants to remove the financial barriers of attendance. All these programs adjust their offerings each year to ensure they provide content that is particularly relevant to the needs of educators and their classrooms. They are currently in the process of making these adjustments for next year, so announcements of Summer 2024 offerings are imminent.  

     The vital work of these civics organizations does not stop when the school year begins. They continue to provide support to educators through lesson plans, weekend workshops, online seminars and even MA programs during the year. If you walk into a classroom and see an educator effectively and engagingly teaching civics, you may learn their approach was impacted by one of these programs, many of which are hoping to reach more teachers in the critical effort to prepare the next generation of citizens. 

    If you are interested in learning more about these initiatives, please contact the Programs team at programs@philanthropyroundtable.org. 

  • Donor Intent Watch: Courts Rule on Arts and Education Controversies

    Earlier this year, following the passage of the Donor Intent Protection Act in Kansas, Philanthropy Roundtable launched a monthly series on donor intent controversies around the country to better inform those who care about this important topic. This edition of Donor Intent Watch includes updates on current disputes at Middlebury College in Vermont, Valparaiso University in Indiana, a new (and unusual) donor intent controversy at the University of California-San Diego and discouraging news about the continued violation of Albert Barnes’s intent for his remarkable art collection.   

    We encourage donors to contact us with any questions they have about our featured items and to consult additional resources on donor intent at the Roundtable’s Donor Intent Hub. We also welcome any news about donor intent that we may have missed.   


    Court Rules Mead Family Can Proceed with Lawsuit against Middlebury College 

    In our May 2023 Donor Intent Watch we discussed the 2021 removal of the Mead name from the iconic Mead Memorial Chapel, which former Vermont Gov. John Mead funded at his alma mater in 1914. Middlebury College officials claimed that Mead’s early but brief involvement in the eugenics movement was the reason for their action. In response, another former Vermont governor, Jim Douglas, filed suit against the college on behalf of the Mead Family on March 24, 2023. Middlebury then filed a motion to dismiss in April, claiming first, the gift agreement of 1914 does not require that the Mead name remain on the chapel in perpetuity and second, that Douglas and the Mead family lack standing to bring the case to court. The Vermont Superior Court heard oral arguments on July 21, and on August 4 ruled the lawsuit can go forward. The court saw no problem with legal standing, but is instead focusing on the documentation of the terms of the 1914 gift and has allowed the plaintiffs to proceed with discovery.  

     Middlebury’s legal representatives have chosen to build their case around the documents that preceded, accompanied and followed the gift. Former Gov. Douglas has already shared documents and photos held by Mead’s family with the court. We will be watching to see what discovery yields among Middlebury’s records and—most important—how the Court interprets the documentation it receives.    

    Read more here. 


    Indiana Attorney General Files to Dismiss Lawsuit Against Valparaiso University 

    The May Donor Intent Watch also reported on a lawsuit filed against Valparaiso University and Indiana’s attorney general by Richard Brauer, the founding director of Valparaiso University’s art museum (now named the Brauer Museum of Art), and Philipp Brockington, an emeritus professor and benefactor of the museum’s collection.  The suit is to stop the planned sale of three paintings, which would fund a renovation of freshman dormitories. The university has maintained neither Brauer nor Brockington has standing to sue because they are not directly connected to the charitable trust that provided the artwork with the stipulation that proceeds from any sale of the works be reinvested in the museum and its collection.  

    We commented on this in our earlier summary, noting [the plaintiffs’] “attorney, Patrick B. McEuen, claims that because Valparaiso’s art museum bears his name, Brauer has a ‘reputational stake’ and therefore ‘common law standing’ in the litigation.” Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has rejected that creative claim and has filed for dismissal of the suit against the university citing the lack of standing. 

    Read more here. 


    Former UCSD Oncologist Wins $39 Million in Case Involving Donor Intent 

    In a most unusual case, a jury recently awarded over $39 million to Dr. Kevin Murphy, a former department vice chair at the University of California-San Diego (UCSD), in support of his claim that the university was misdirecting funds donated specifically for his cancer research, and had retaliated against him when he complained. The dispute began in 2015 after the death of Murphy’s former patient, Charles Kreutzkamp, whose family awarded a $10 million dollar gift to the UCSD Foundation for what was designated simply as “cancer research.”  

    A few months later Murphy claimed the funds were donated for his personal work with experimental brain stimulation technology, which he had used to treat the side effects Kreutzkamp experienced during chemotherapy. He backed up his assertion by citing a letter signed by Kreutzkamp’s widow, Ernestina Kreutzkamp, that indicated he was, in fact, the intended recipient of the funds. UCSD then transferred the funds to Murphy but later accused him of spending the money on his private brain treatment businesses, thereby violating university policy. Murphy countered with public statements about the university’s attempts to steal his funds, and—when his contract was not renewed in 2020—said he faced retaliation by the university as a whistleblower.  

    Lawsuits filed by both parties finally brought the case to trial this summer. Among those appearing in court was Ernestina Kreutzkamp. According to a news report, she testified she could not read English and had neither written nor read the 2016 letter that Murphy used to claim the Kreutzkamp gift. Nor, she added, had she been aware of the contents of her late husband’s will before his death. She said she had spoken with her husband’s attorneys, however, and believed he had intended for the gift to support Murphy’s work. The presiding judge advised the jury they were not deciding Charles Kreutzkamp’s donor intent but could use his widow’s testimony to assess Murphy’s credibility. Although some of her testimony contradicted Murphy’s account of events, the jury ultimately ruled in his favor. UCSD has not commented on the outcome of the case. 

    Read more here. 


    Violation of Albert Barnes’s Intent Continues 

    In July, the Montgomery County Orphans’ Court in Pennsylvania issued a decree permitting The Barnes Foundation to lend its art to other cultural organizations and to alter the way paintings are exhibited in its Philadelphia museum. With this decree, the court has now overturned two additional restrictions in art collector Albert Barnes’s indenture of trust, as it did when it permitted his collection to be moved from its location in the suburb of Merion, Pennsylvania, to downtown Philadelphia in 2012. Although the court has imposed limits on the number of paintings that can be on loan simultaneously and on the length of loan terms, this judgment is a striking departure from Barnes’s wishes. The decision to allow changes in the manner in which the art is displayed is equally momentous.  

    Those who fought against the move of the collection must find it ironic that proponents of these new changes “made their case based on the premise that [the Barnes] is primarily an educational institution, rather than a museum,” according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. They also testified that in his lifetime Barnes had made loans of art and he and his associates would “mix and match ensembles of paintings and other works for analysis in their teaching.” No one seems to have countered that a donor’s actions while he is alive have no bearing on the written restrictions he leaves for those who follow. 

    In 2022 Philanthropy Roundtable released a film entitled “Donor Intent Gone Wrong: The Battle for Control of the Barnes Art Collection.” In this 10-minute documentary we note “For Albert Barnes, it’s very clear, the last thing he wanted to happen to his art is exactly what happened. … He tried very hard to put protections in place. But even he didn’t anticipate everything that could happen.” Indeed.  

    Read more here. 

  • Happy Birthday, America! Why Remembering Our Past is Integral to Our Future


    This year our country celebrates its 247th birthday – commemorating the 13 American colonies’ declaration of independence from Great Britain. The newly formed American republic was based on the idea that all people are created equal with fundamental, inalienable rights that cannot be taken or given away. As we continue to cherish our democracy and the American way of life, it’s worth remembering that its strength depends on our shared understanding of this country’s history and founding principles.  

    Sadly, civics knowledge has been waning for years, with many students unable to understand and explain how our government –and our civic society – actually work. According to a survey released this spring by the National Center for Education Statistics, just 22% of eighth-grade students were graded as “proficient” on a national civics assessment, a two point decline since 2018. It’s no understatement to say this downward trend of knowledge and understanding is dangerous for the health and survival of the American republic. 

    Fortunately, many philanthropists recognize this crisis exists and are dedicated to reversing its decline.  

    In April, Philanthropy Roundtable partnered with the Connelly Foundation and the Daniels Fund to host a National Civics Expo that highlighted 10 nonprofits (five Philadelphia-based, where the expo was located, and five nationally focused) that are doing exceptional work in elevating civics knowledge for students, teachers and parents.  


    Philadelphia-focused nonprofits: 

    The Union League Foundation 

    For 77 years, the Union League Foundation has hosted its Good Citizen Day program, providing an immersive experience in constitutional and civics education for high school students. The day culminates in a celebratory awards banquet, where each student is presented with a personalized Union League Good Citizenship Award. Over 18,000 young men and women have been celebrated and educated. 


    Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge 

    Located in historic Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, the Foundation seeks to preserve American patriotism and civic duty by providing high-quality history and civics opportunities, including seminars, workshops and site visits for students and educators. Students from across the country come to the Foundation to engage in the study of the principles of our Constitution and focus on understanding the U.S. political, social and economic system and the responsibilities of good citizenship. 


    Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement 

    By supporting K-12 teachers and administrators to advance the learning of U.S. history, government and civics, the Rendell Center is restoring the civics mission of schools. The Center’s programs include hands-on, experiential learning activities like its Citizenship Challenge, an essay contest for fourth and fifth graders that provides an opportunity for students to express themselves on a current issue facing our democracy. The organization also offers literature-based mock trials, which combine literacy and civics to provide K-8 students with “the knowledge and disposition of engaged citizens.” 


    National Constitution Center (NCC) 

    Located on Philadelphia’s historic Independence Mall, the NCC brings the Constitution to life for people of all ages, nationalities and perspectives through “its interactive exhibits, rare documents and artifacts, moving theater programs and educational activities.” Last fall, NCC launched Constitution 101, a full online core curriculum for high school students designed “to provide a basic understanding of the Constitution’s text, history, structure and case law.” The Center is currently developing an edition for middle school students. 


    Museum of the American Revolution (MoAR) 

    The newest addition to the history and civics landscape in Philadelphia and the nation, the MoAR opened in 2017 and “owns a collection of several thousand objects including artwork, sculpture, textiles, weapons, manuscripts and rare books.” Operating under the belief that civics education is most effective with a lived experience-centered approach, MoAR focuses on powerful storytelling about “people in predicaments” and developing historical empathy. 


    National organizations scaling and building their programs: 

    Bill of Rights Institute (BRI) 

    With a network of 70,000 history and civics educators, thousands of classroom-ready history and civics resources and annual student and teacher programming, BRI equips students and teachers to “live the ideals of a free and just society.” By 2026, BRI plans to increase its teacher network to 100,000 educators who will “teach 10 million students each year,” and in 2024, will release a “digital resource in civics that emphasizes civil society and constitutionally limited government.” 


    Jack Miller Center (JMC) 

    Partnering with faculty, administrators and donors to change the way college and high school students learn about the history and principles at the heart of American political life, JMC aims to “bring our nation’s history and founding principles back into the minds and hearts of young Americans.” JMC is developing a Civics Consortium master’s degree, which will improve graduate education for civics teachers and strengthen the teaching of America’s founding. 


    American Legion Boys State 

    Founded in 1935 “to counter socialism-inspired Young Pioneer Camps,” Boys State “participants learn their rights, privileges and responsibilities as citizens and participate in legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses and recreational programs.”  Active in each state for over 85 years, the COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted its student engagement, and the American Legion is working to rebuild its reach throughout the country. 


    Institute for Citizens & Scholars 

    Urban and rural areas are the largest civics deserts in the country. With that in mind, the Institute is launching a Civic Innovation Fund to provide early-stage capital to entrepreneurs with big ideas on how to ensure 14- to 18-year-olds in these overlooked regions are civically well-informed. Bringing together innovators from the left, right and center, the Institute is building an ecosystem to develop and test new ideas to increase civic understanding. 


    Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) 

    Established in 2019 as a statewide debate program focused on civics education, the FCDI creates access and opportunities for all students in this arena. Their programming uses “debate specifically as a tool to enrich civics education” and benefits from incredibly strong support from state leaders. The program has grown exponentially over the past three years and is now ready to work with other states to scale beyond Florida. 

    In the words of Thomas Jefferson, one of America’s founding fathers and its third president: “Educate and inform the whole mass of the people. … They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.” Indeed, civics education is fundamental to our nation’s future, and as we celebrate Independence Day, Philanthropy Roundtable applauds the organizations working to advance education on this vital topic.  

    For more information on how to help protect and support the American values that strengthen our free society, please reach out to Clarice Smith, program director at Philanthropy Roundtable.