“The Philanthropy Initiative” launches at The National Museum of American History

BALTIMORE - Dec. 1, 2015 - PRLog -- The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and the Director of the National Museum of American History host the first annual philanthropy symposium entitled “The Power of Giving: Philanthropy’s Impact on American Life.” During the symposium, founder and CEO of the Center for Urban Families (CFUF), Joe Jones, will join a distinguished collaborative of philanthropists and visionaries to discuss the work of CFUF and its impact in Baltimore City.

The invitation-only symposium, which convenes thought-leaders to discuss the past, present, and future of American giving, will coincide with #GivingTuesday- an international day of giving created in 2012 by Henry Timms, executive director of the 92nd Street Y in New York City.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History will announce the long-term Philanthropy Initiative with a new display, “Giving in America,” as well as a collections effort that represents Americans’ gifts of time, talent, expertise and money. Artifacts donated Dec. 1 are a firefighter’s boot used to collect money from motorists for the “Fill the Boot” campaign for muscular dystrophy and a sign and T-shirts from the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department and the Fairfax County Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics–IAFF Local 2068. From the #BMoreGivesMore 2013 campaign, the museum will accept team T-shirts, signs and a banner that represent how residents made Baltimore the most generous city in America on #GivingTuesday. The museum is also seeking to collect fundraising thermometers—the temperature gauges on poster boards or large printouts used by charities use to track the progress of donations.

About CFUF

Established in 1999, CFUF has remained at the front-line of addressing some of Baltimore’s most pressing issues including poverty, unemployment, father-absence and family disintegration. Located in Baltimore’s Greater Mondawmin Community, CFUF has provided fatherhood, family strengthening and workforce development support to more than 28,000 individuals and families. Through its comprehensive service offering, CFUF continues to further its mission to strengthen urban communities by helping fathers and families achieve stability and economic success. For more information about CFUF’s programs, visit www.cfuf.org.