What We've Learned About Giving: "Be Wary if you hear of a program or idea that is too good to be true. There are no 'silver bullets' that can fix entrenched social problems with one, swift, inexpensive intervention. The real solutions generally come at a problem from multiple approaches, and they take time, money, copious talent, and long-term commitment." - David and Katherine Bradley

When Warren Buffett’s staggering donation of $36.1 billion was added to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s coffers (which already had $30 billion), many proclaimed this to be a new golden age of philanthropy, harkening back to the days of the Rockefeller, Mellon, and Carnegie endowments of countless worthy causes across a broad spectrum of American life. Yet, just a few years later, we are in an economic recession with the contributions of wealthy local residents now shrinking. Some generous donors were hard hit by the Madoff scandal, many others have had major losses in real estate or because of the stock market’s broad decline. As the local supply of capital has fallen for both individuals and private foundations, the need for philanthropy has correspondingly increased. Plus, much giving was directed towards political campaigns in 2008, with many charitable contributions taking a backseat to the historic election. But the tide will turn again.

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Top Row: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Rahm Emanuel, Bob Woodward, Teresa Heinz Kerry, John Kerry, Don Graham, Adrian and Michelle Fenty, Vice President Joseph Biden and Jill Biden. Second row: Rep. Barney Frank, Desirée Rogers, Victoria and Sen. Ted Kennedy, Valerie Jarrett, Timothy Geithner, Eric Holder and Sharon Malone, Peter Orzsag, Jane Stanton Hitchcock. Third row: Sen. Mark Warner, Alexandra Wentworth and George Stephanopolous, Justice Antonin Scalia, Elizabeth and George Stevens, Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Queen Noor, Robert Duvall, Roger Sant. Fourth row: Katharine Weymouth, Justice Stephen Breyer, Sheila Johnson, Plácido Domingo, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Amb. Pierre Vimont, Ted and Annette Lerner, Sen. Harry Reid.

Big changes are always in store when a new president takes office. The “out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new” transition of power is even more historic when a change of party occurs (check) and especially when a two-term presidency ends (double check). Barack and Michelle Obama are also younger than their predecessors (they were born at the end of the Baby Boom era; the Bushes at its very beginning), and, most relevant of all, are the first African-Americans to occupy the White House.

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The 13th annual record of notably social personalities from the worlds of politics, diplomacy, business, philanthropy, and the arts.

By Kevin Chaffee

John Pyles and Barbara Harrison

This roster is neither the first, nor will it (inevitably) be the last to single out certain individuals, who, by virtue of birth, rank, wealth or accomplishment, take part in the social life of the nation’s capital. Estimable precursors – drumroll here – include The Green Book,” so-called for its faux green suede cover, which has appeared continuously since 1930; and the Blue Book of Washington, D.C., which ceased publication around 1990 after a century in print. The Social Register, sometimes called the “Black Book,” also contains the names of numerous prominent local figures, many hailing from so-called “blue blood” families, although it merged its thin Washington volume into a much larger 12-city national version back in the 1980s.

A major difference separating Washington Life’s list from the others – apart from having no discernible color – is that we do not publish a “phone book” containing addresses and contact information, much less schools attended, club memberships and yacht listings. Ours is merely an alphabetical nomenclature of people who make a difference by adding immeasurably to their city, and by extension, their country and the world. Another point of contrast is size. Compared to the many thousands of entries contained in other directories past and present, WL’s Social List, currently about 700 names and counting, is relatively small. We do not see the need to include every member of the Congress, Cabinet or Court (i.e., Supreme), much less all those with top jobs listed in the “Plum Book” of political appointments.

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WL tips its hat to the areas biggest philanthropists and donors.

While charity famously depends on left hands not knowing what their right-side partners do, we’ve nonetheless chosen to pay tribute to some of the more generously-handed givers in Washington. There are different reasons for inclusion on this (by no means comprehensive) rundown of big-time donors: some, like the Rockefellers and Mellons, are notable for amounts given over a long period of time; others leave lasting legacies in the form of museums, concert halls, and other university buildings. The men and women on this list are notable for their commitment to causes, involvement on multiple levels of local charity, and largeness of spirit.

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