Tomorrow Talks | The Future of Philanthropy: Making the Case for Giving

As we prepare for the 15th Annual Tom Tom Festival, April 21–25, 2027, and its theme NEXTGEN, we’re exploring what the next generation of philanthropy should look like, and how non-profits can best share their impact.

What does it mean to make a compelling case for giving in 2026?

The old model of simply asking people to support a good cause is changing. Donors increasingly want to understand the impact of their giving. Communities are asking harder questions about who benefits from philanthropy and how resources are distributed. And nonprofits are being challenged to communicate the impact they have in community.

Leslie Lynn Smith did not take a traditional path into philanthropy. Before becoming President and CEO of the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, she led organizations focused on entrepreneurship, economic development, technology, and civic innovation in cities across the country. Her career has centered on a recurring question: how do communities build stronger systems, expand opportunity, and direct resources toward the places they can have the greatest impact? Now she brings that perspective to one of Charlottesville’s central philanthropic institutions.

We’ll explore how organizations can articulate their value, make a stronger case for investment, build deeper relationships with donors, and rethink what it means to be a good steward of community resources. As the year-end giving season approaches, the conversation will also look beyond individual campaigns to the larger question: What should philanthropy look like in the next generation?