Giving Ventures

In this capstone episode of the "What Is the Right?" series, we consider the state of the Right today and where it's headed in the years to come. In this limited series, we've explored the different factions and flavors that make up what we would broadly call "the Right" in America today. We've looked at freedom conservatives and the New Right, talked to libertarians and traditionalists, explored...

Our summer series on "What Is the Right?" has examined the factions that shape the modern conservative movement, from libertarians and traditionalists to fusionists and the New Right. Yet one force has loomed in the background throughout our conversations: Trumpism. While we have focused on ideas more than individuals, it’s impossible to take stock of today’s Right without considering the MAGA mov...

This episode of "What Is the Right?" features a conversation on the coalition of newcomers who have moved to the right in recent years. In response to the Black Lives Matter movement, the erosion of free speech on the left, and the rise of gender ideology, many who would not have formerly considered themselves conservative now feel at home on the right. Some have adopted the traditional values and...

Christian thought has long been intertwined with political life in America, and churches have long played a central role in civic life and in social movements. Groups like Moral Majority and the Christian Coalition were essential to conservative victories, both at the ballot box and in policy during the '80s and the '90s. And sometimes we' even hear the term "evangelical" used synonymously to mean...

Our summer series on "What Is the Right?" has explored the many ideological camps that make up the Right today, from libertarians and traditionalists to fusionists and "FreeCons." In this episode, we explore the intersection of the Jewish faith with conservative thought. Today, antisemitism is on the rise, Israel is at war, and U.S. Republicans are thinking through what an America-First foreign po...

In this episode of "What Is the Right," we're turning our attention to the religious dimension at play on the American Right. From the often-talked-about, rarely-understood Evangelical voting bloc to observant Jews and everything in between, it's a confusing landscape. Religious groups add a layer of complexity to the freedom-vs.-order tension we've been exploring in this series as we think about...

In the fifth installment of our “What is the Right?” summer series, Peter explores the philosophy of Fusionism. As the name implies, Fusionism melds together different strands of conservatism into a single winning coalition. This is often understood as the three-legged stool of conservatism, bringing together traditionalist conservatives, libertarians, and anti-communists into a coalition that end...

This episode is the fourth installment in our summer series on "What Is the Right?" here on Giving Ventures. Over the course of the summer months, we are looking at the different factions and flavors of what it means to be on the right side of the ideological spectrum in this unique moment we're in. So far, we've explored the Freedom Conservatives, Libertarians, and the New Right. This episode exp...

For the third installment in the "What Is the Right?" series, we're featuring the New Right. While the Freedom Conservatives and Libertarians we've spoken with in the last two episodes hold to the importance of free markets, today's guests are skeptical of what they see as too much deference to laissez-faire economics. Over the past decade, the New Right has emerged as a force to be reckoned with...

This episode is the second installment in the "What Is the Right?" summer series for Giving Ventures. In this series, we're exploring the different factions and flavors that make up the right side of the ideological spectrum here in this weird political moment we live in. Today, we're looking at a group that some say isn't even fairly categorized as "right" at all: libertarians. How do you fairly...

What is "the Right"? Over the next several months, Giving Ventures will be exploring this question through a series of interviews with leaders in the conservative and libertarian space. From the libertarians to the traditionalists, the national conservatives and the New Right—this series will give you a sense of the scope and diversity on the American Right. In this inaugural episode, we're consid...

There was a time in the not-too-distant past where every political candidate looking to tout his or her conservative principles trotted out connections to and affinities for Ronald Reagan. And in a certain subset, those who really wanted to signal they were committed to smaller or more limited government reached even farther back into history, preaching the wisdom of President Calvin Coolidge. So...

In an era where federal overreach seems to be the norm, the concept of federalism stands as a beacon of hope for many seeking a return to localized power and decision-making. In this episode, Tony Woodlief of the State Policy Network's Center for Practical Federalism shares insights into how states can reclaim their autonomy from an ever-expanding federal government. This episode goes beyond Ameri...

California has long been a trendsetter...but not always for the right reasons. Known for its innovative spirit and sun-soaked coastline, the state grapples with a multitude of policy challenges, from housing costs to environmental regulations. California's decisions often ripple across the nation, influencing policies from coast to coast. This episode features interviews with leaders from two infl...

In recent years, the landscape of free speech on college campuses has become a battleground, with incidents of censorship and cancel culture making headlines. Yet, out of this challenge, a new wave of hope is rising—one led by passionate alumni who are taking action to restore open discourse. This episode features three leaders from organizations working tirelessly to promote free speech: Charles...

Affordable housing is a persistent challenge in American politics. Bad public policy leads to artificial housing supply restrictions which causes prices to rise. But stimulating housing supply to bring costs down is a thorny issue. The latest episode of Giving Ventures brings together Sonja Trauss from Yes in My Backyard and Charles Gardner from the Mercatus Center to explore how grassroots advoca...

From the challenges posed by technology use to political biases creeping into the therapist's office, America is experiencing something of a mental health crisis. To help address this critical issue, the Philanthropy Roundtable recently compiled a Mental Health Playbook that provides philanthropists with an introduction to the most effective organizations working to solve this crisis while remaini...

This episode of Giving Ventures features a special interview with Senator James Lankford (R-OK), who provides a charitable-minded view from Capitol Hill. As one of the few U.S. Senators with extensive experience running a nonprofit, Lankford understands the needs and challenges of the charitable community and appreciates the role public policy can play in fostering a vibrant nonprofit sector. In t...

When conservatives discuss K-12 education, it can be tempting to cede public schools to their leftward drift and look to alternatives. And while Giving Ventures has featured some fantastic groups working in the school choice field, this episode is all about improving the public schools that educate 80% of our nation's school children. Giving our kids the best public education possible means engagi...

It's important that our elections earn the confidence of American voters. In recent years fraud allegations, lawsuits, and elections rules changes have cast doubt on the integrity of our elections. Thankfully, groups like Public Interest Legal Foundation and the Foundation for Government Accountability are working hard to ensure elections are administered fairly. In this episode of Giving Ventures...

This episode of Giving Ventures is a rerun of an evergreen conversation between Peter and author Gideon Bernstein about the upside of giving. Learn how the tragedy of Gideon's son's murder changed the way he views the world and his philanthropy. You won't want to miss this poignant conversation, especially if you need a fresh outlook and roadmap for your giving.

With the 2017 tax cuts about to expire and major leadership changes in the executive and legislative branches coming in January, now is a critical time for the future of philanthropy. Reforms to the tax code and IRS regulations about charitable giving will affect not only your tax bill and deductions but also the future of donor privacy, donor intent protection, and key considerations for estate p...

This Election Day, Giving Ventures brings you interviews with three groups working to expand the coalition of limited government, pro-liberty Americans by engaging independents who aren't already among the free-market fold. Scott Rasmussen is the founder of the Napolitan Institute, which was formed to deliver accurate, unbiased polling of the American people. Adam Brandon's work with the Independe...

Earlier this month, DonorsTrust partnered with the Goldwater Institute and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club for a special event in Phoenix, Arizona. At the event, Peter was joined by DonorsTrust philanthropic advisor Lukas Dwelly and Yellowstone Trust Administration executive vice president Randy Huston for a discussion about the powerful charitable tools you can employ in your planned giving. Luk...

What is America’s role in the world? It’s a hotly contested question in American politics that cuts across the left-right divide. Whereas a Reaganite policy view of a strong and robust national defensive capability coupled with American-led diplomacy around the world used to be the norm, leaders on both the left and right can now be found on either side of this issue. This episode explores three g...