Michael Smith

Michael D. Smith, Senior Vice President, Social Innovation
The Case Foundation, Washington, DC
www.casefoundation.org

Michael works with the Chairman, CEO and senior leadership team to set the programmatic direction of the Foundation and manages a portfolio of social investments and partnerships designed to spark civic participation, promote participatory philanthropy and expand giving.

Michael’s current major areas of focus include leading the Foundation’s efforts to tap “citizen-centered” approaches to civic engagement and philanthropy through initiatives such as Make It Your Own and America’s Giving Challenge; promoting economic and educational development in the Middle East through public-private partnerships such as the U.S.-Palestinian Partnership and Partners for a New Beginning; and managing the Foundation’s Washington, DC social investment portfolio, which includes high impact organizations such as Venture Philanthropy Partners and City Year Washington, DC.

Before joining the Case Foundation, Michael helped build national initiatives aimed at bridging the “digital divide” as a Program Officer at the Beaumont Foundation of America and a Regional Program Manager at PowerUP: Bridging the Digital Divide, Inc., which led to the creation of thousands of technology centers nationwide and impact-oriented programs. Michael has also served as a senior program and communications staff member at a Massachusetts Boys & Girls Club, was an aide to U.S. Congressman Richard E. Neal and has a B.A. in Communications from Marymount University.

In addition to serving on many industry taskforces and providing frequent thought leadership for sector publications and convenings, Michael is currently on the boards of Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE), Idealist.org and Public Allies.