Stars including Sharon Stone, Charlize Theron, Wilson Cruz and Thomas Sadoski are set to discuss “the future of Hollywood philanthropy” at a special summit on July 11.
Non-profit social impact funds and The Hollywood ReporterThe inaugural Social Impact Summit, to be held in 2024, will bring together some of the biggest names in entertainment – those committed to giving back – to discuss the role Hollywood can play to effect change at local, national and global levels.
Stone, a longtime supporter and advocate for amfAR, is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the Social Impact Summit, hosted by Gilead, a biopharmaceutical company that is a leader in antiviral drug development.
The event will feature three panels, the first of which is “How Hollywood Partnerships and Corporate Giving are Advancing the Fight Against HIV,” moderated by Cruise (Board Chair of GLSEN, which works with educators to create affirming environments for LGBTQ+ youth) and featuring Theron (Founder of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, a nonprofit organization that supports the health and safety of young people in Africa), Neo Mehajaneh (Director of Health Systems Strengthening Programs at HIVSA), Carmen Villar (Vice President of Public Affairs at Gilead Sciences), Dominique Morgan (Director of the TransGeneration Fund at Borealis Philanthropy) and DaShawn Asher (Senior Director of Communities of Color and Media at GLAAD).
The second panel, “Beyond the Red Carpet: Leveraging Hollywood to Raise Funds and Awareness for Important Causes,” Thursday In addition to contributing editor Stacey Wilson Hunt, other contributors include Sadoski (U.S. Ambassador for Children at War), Uzo Aduba (Ambassador for Hefer International), Craig Chichy (Executive Director of the Social Impact Fund), Andrea Pett Joseph (talent manager, producer, and president and executive director of the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation), and Denise St. Rose (CAA Foundation executive).
The last panel is Thursday Deputy Editor Degen Penner will be working with Ben Irwin (CEO, CharityBuzz), Munir Panjwani (CEO, Engage for Good) and Emily Rasmussen (Founder and CEO, Grapevine) to focus on “inside philanthropy's boldest and most innovative players and platforms.”
The Social Impact Summit will recognize Feeding America, a nonprofit organization working to end hunger. The Hollywood Reporter's Charity of the Year Award recognizes organizations that have worked innovatively with the entertainment industry to make a lasting impact.
Actress Julie Bowen, a longtime supporter of Feeding America and member of the Entertainment Council, will present the honor to FA CEO Claire Babineaux Fontenot. Feeding America was recently named the nation's largest charitable organization and works with a network of food banks, state food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs to help people experiencing hunger in the United States.
The summit, taking place at the Directors Guild of America, is sponsored by Gilead, CharityBuzz, Jackson Family Wines and Voss.
“Nonprofits are increasingly turning to celebrities to help spread the word about their missions, educate people about pressing issues, and get them to donate,” Penner says. “And that's why The Hollywood Reporter has partnered with Social Impact Fund, a leader in advising celebrities on giving back, to host the first-ever Social Impact Summit to explore creative new ways the entertainment industry can partner with charitable organizations to change things for the better.”
The day before the summit, Thursday publishes its annual Philanthropy Issue, showcasing the latest developments from top players at the intersection of the entertainment world and philanthropic impact and giving.
Last year, the Social Impact Fund, which works with some of Hollywood's most notable philanthropists, including Kerry Washington, John Legend, Bradley Cooper, Ryan Reynolds, Will.i.am, Hailey Bieber, Rosario Dawson, Shawn Mendes and Madonna, was named 2023's Charity of the Year. THR'This is our annual charity themed issue.
“Our first Social Impact Summit comes at a critical time,” says Cichy, “where cultural and societal issues are being addressed, as well as basic needs being under-addressed or voiced in negativity. I've always said, 'philanthropy always starts with the personal,' and I've never found that to be less true. Hollywood philanthropy is no exception. We'll explore the future of philanthropy in Hollywood and beyond, what's working well, and how we can do better. This inaugural summit only scratches the surface in mapping out the future of philanthropy in Hollywood. We've brought together a diverse group of thought leaders and experienced change-makers to inspire new ideas and creative solutions.”