The Ethics of Gift Acceptance: Decision Making with Controversial Donors

Organizations have gift acceptance policies in place to ensure that donations align with an organization's mission, values, and goals. But what happens when you have a donor who has been aligned with controversial activities? How do organizations make decisions on who they can accept gifts from? Who needs to be involved in this decision? How can we separate the behaviors of the individual from the corporation? Or vice versa?

Moderator: Janet D. Stemwedel, San Jose State University, Director SJSU Center for Ethics

Janet D. Stemwedel is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at San José State University, where her research and teaching focus on philosophy of science, the ethics of scientific practice, and how scientists and non-scientists can better share a world. She earned PhDs in Chemistry (1994) and Philosophy (2001) from Stanford University, and in 2017 was elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for “distinguished contributions to the philosophy of science and ethics, and for exceptional efforts to promote the public understanding of science and scientists in culture.” In addition to serving as Director of the SJSU Center on Ethics, she has served on the Governing Board of the Philosophy of Science Association, on the Executive Board of the American Philosophical Association, as co-chair of the Philosophy of Science Association and History of Science Society Joint Caucus of Socially Engaged Philosophers and Historians of Science, on the Public Responsibility in Medicine & Research (PRIM&R) Diversity Advisory Group, and as conference co-chair for the PRIM&R Institutional Animal Care and Use Conference. She has developed and delivered ethics training sessions for NASA-Ames as well as for NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs at IBM-Almaden and San José State University. She has written extensively about the ethics (including ethics in academic workplaces and research communities) and philosophy of science for outlets including Forbes, Scientific American, and ScienceBlogs.

Panelists:

Shawna Lucey, General Director & CEO, Opera San José

Originally from Houston, Texas, her work has been seen at the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Dallas Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Santa Fe Opera, and many others. Her legacy production of Tosca launched San Francisco Opera’s 99th season in 2021 and was followed in 2022 by her centennial celebration legacy production of La Traviata which was presented by LA Opera in 2024. She made her directorial debut with Opera San José in 2018 with La Traviata, and she launched that company’s 2023/24 season with a new production of Roméo et Juliette, followed by Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci at Lyric Opera of Kansas City. In 2025, she will direct Cosi fan Tutte at LA Opera, Bluebeard’s Castle at Opera San José, and Fledermaus at Opera Theater of St. Louis. Since 2022 she has been General Director & CEO of Opera San José, Silicon Valley's premiere opera company. In 2023, she received her Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University

Camie Vankeuren, Vice President of Philanthropy, Valley Health Foundation

Camie VanKeuren is honored to currently serve as the Vice President of Philanthropy for Valley Health Foundation. Camie has an extensive background with more than 20 years of service in the nonprofit sector, primarily in development. In her career she has guided strategy for organization-wide development programs, including major gifts, direct mail, grants administration, planned giving and annual giving. Camie is also the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Happy Hollow Foundation. A San Jose native, Camie holds a bachelor’s in health sciences with a concentration in Health Services from San Jose State University and a Masters in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco. Camie has a true passion for the vital role that nonprofits play in our communities.

Bernadette White, Corporate Work Study Program Executive Director, Cristo Rey San José Jesuit High School

Weaving together her experience in building strategic corporate partnerships and passion for education, Bernadette “Bernie” White serves as the Executive Director of the Corporate Work Study Program at Cristo Rey San José Jesuit High School. Throughout her career, Bernie has dedicated herself to serving the community, whether it was through fundraising roles at Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, and Humane Society Silicon Valley, or serving as the Chief Development Officer for the City of San Jose in the Office of Mayor Sam Liccardo, where she focused on education, youth, and workforce development issues. In addition to her nonprofit work, she has also been an adjunct professor in the Global Studies Department at San Jose State University. She earned her doctorate in Sociology from Syracuse University in May 2019, where she focused on transnational philanthropy and development work within the Indian diaspora.

Free Workshop: Careers in Fundraising 101

Explore Nonprofit Fundraising Careers: Free Workshop & Roundtable

Curious about making a difference through fundraising? Join us for an insightful workshop and discussion on careers in nonprofit development. Ideal for college students and aspiring fundraisers, this free workshop offers a unique opportunity to:

Learn about diverse roles in nonprofit fundraising

Hear real-world experiences from seasoned professionals

Understand the skills and qualities that drive success in the field

Discover potential career paths and growth opportunities

Network with like-minded individuals and industry experts

Members of the AFP Silicon Valley Chapter will share their journeys, challenges, and triumphs in the nonprofit sector. Bring your questions and engage in open discussions about this rewarding career path.

Whether you're just starting out or considering a career change, this workshop will provide valuable insights into the world of nonprofit fundraising. Don't miss this chance to explore a career that combines purpose with impact

Thank you to our sponsor, Heritage Bank of Commerce!

REGISTRATION FEES

$40 AFP members

$55 Non-members

$25 Student

*Day-of registration, add $10

DETAILS

Tuesday October 8, 2024 11:30a-1:30p

Location: Sobrato Center for Nonprofits San Jose

1400 Parkmoor Avenue

San Jose, CA 95126

SCHEDULE

11:30 am - Noon: Check in, networking

Noon - 1:15 pm: Program

1:15-2:15pm: Free Workshop

Host or Publisher AFP Silicon Valley