Organization and Mission

The Society for Philanthropy(TM) is a nonprofit corporation organized in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2005.

The mission of the Society is to provide philanthropically inclined individuals with education about charitable methods to help them to realize their philanthropic goals.

Vision

The Society is directed towards the interests of donors, which fills a need that is not met by other organizations. Our goal is to develop mutually beneficial relationships between donors and charities.

The Society will become a coalition of philanthropists, charitable fundraisers, and donors' financial advisors dedicated to serving the interests of donors and the general public.

Programs

Program goals for the Society include informational media and events for donors as well as training for volunteers and professionals in ethical fundraising. Program plans include educational forums, print and web communications, and public advocacy. Although the Society is newly formed, some programs have already been in operation for nearly a year.

Board of Directors

The Society is a volunteer-run organization governed by a small group of officers led by the President. We are in the process of building a national board. If you have a nomination for the Board, please feel free to contact us to discuss it. 

Bruce Makous, Founder and President

Bruce Makous has been a professional fundraiser for twenty-five years, currently vice president for development with the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. He has previously served as major gifts and planned giving officer with American Association for Cancer Research; assistant vice president with Drexel University, and director of planned giving with The American College. He is president of the Planned Giving Council of Greater Philadelphia, a past president of AFP Greater Philadelphia Chapter, has served as a board member and officer on AFP’s International Board, and has chaired a task force for AFP's Ethics Committee.

Mr. Makous is co-creator of the Essentials of Fundraising, a five-part course that received AFP’s 2002 Charles R. Stephens Award for Excellence in Diversity and was adopted by AFP International and released nationwide. He has presented at Planned Giving Council of Greater Philadelphia’s Planned Giving Day, Drexel University's graduate program, and AFP Greater Philadelphia Chapter’s Fundamentals of Fundraising, a joint program with Villanova University. Makous has been a lecturer for The American College’s Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) program. 

Mr. Makous has been granted Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) designations and has received the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) from the CFRE Professional Certification Board. Mr. Makous has a masters in nonprofit cultural administration from New York University, and a bachelors in English from Oberlin College. Mr. Makous’ publishing credits include articles in many professional journals as well as two commercial novels. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife and two daughters.