The Midwestern philanthropist J. Irwin Miller asked his foundation’s staff members to guide their work by a simple motto. He said, “Ten years from now, what will you wish you had done today?” It is this vision for the future that inspires us to celebrate the common purpose of philanthropy and the benefits of gathering not as separate institutions, but as a noble movement.

Today, we are excited to invite you to join us for an unprecedented gathering: Philanthropy’s Vision: A Leadership Summit, May 4–7, 2008, at the new Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, just outside Washington, DC.

For the last two years, an international planning committee representing every type of philanthropy has worked to produce this exciting event. The Summit will seek to address the best practices in philanthropy—its leadership, partnership and impact—that enable us to most effectively serve the common good.

We will gather from May 2 to May 4 for pre-Summit meetings, including a special day-long program designed for CEOs and trustees on May 4. We formally begin The Summit on Sunday, May 4, with a powerful plenary on global philanthropy—you won’t want to miss it. The concurrent sessions, organized around leadership, partnership, and impact, will provide you with the strongest material substance of any conference. On Tuesday, we will visit the nation’s capital and sites around the region for one-day mini-Summits focusing on key issues of the day. Several site sessions, with a focus on regional philanthropy, have been designed by the host committee and will be available for attendees to enjoy as part of the Regional day. Our list of speakers reflects the leadership of philanthropy across the globe.

Our message is simple and warm: Don’t miss this historic convening. We are set to provide you with the best possible inspiration and information available for the future work of philanthropy. Take a journey through this registration brochure to learn how The Summit will be structured. Whether you are a trustee, a CEO, or a member of your organization’s professional staff, The Summit is made specifically for you. Whether you hail from a regional association, an affinity group, or a foundation of any type or size, from near or far, this event will speak to your needs. [Find out if you are eligible to attend.]

Take a moment to register and reserve your travel plans, and then relax. We’ll see you at The Summit!