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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Paul and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Photo by Kyle Samperton.

By Karin Tanabe

Now that the White House is inhabited by a very well-dressed first couple, is Capitol Hill following suit? Judging from our freshman congress, we have come a long way as far as chiseled features—Rep. Glenn Nye (D-VA), Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) (both single!) and Rep. Martin Heinrich (D-NM)—but what about debonair dressing? Have we have gone into decline, digging an Olympic size hole in the fashion well that reaches all the way to China? Or do we really have a legislative body full of Vogue, GQ and of course, Washington Life readers?

While Tom Ford is not yet camping out on the Capitol steps to scout his next muse, a handful of old guard politicians have been dressing well for decades and the new wave of freshmen is only upping the Hill style ante.

Congressman David Drier (R-CA), has been bringing style to the House since 1981. The sartorial chameleon has suits in grey, blue, black and even sand, so light in color they’re almost Gatsbyesque. Political power couple, Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) and Rep. Connie Mack (R-FL), win points for shirking helmet hair and rows of safe navy blue suits, choosing to look like they’re style world is not confined by the Beltway.

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Mel Estrin, Rep. Jane Harman, and Egyptian Amb. Nabil Fahmy

Location: The Source
Photos by Tony Powell

THE EVENT: Samia and Huda Farouki hosted a dinner in honor of departing Egyptian Ambassador Nabil Fahmy and his wife Nermin, who will return home this summer after nine years and many contributions to the city. THE GUESTS: Albert and Shirley Small, Rep. Ed Markey and Susan Blumenthal, Diane and John Rehm, Martin Indyk, Lucky Roosevelt, and Shannon Fairbanks.

Brian Dailey with Shela and Art Collins

Location: The Phillips Collection and Anderson House

WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton and Tony Powell

THE EVENT: A perennial favorite among Washington society figures, this year’s Phillips Gala was “Bal des Canotiers,” the Boater’s Ball, and the decadent French theme was on display in every gallery of the museum. The evening also served as an informal going-away party for museum Director Jay Gates, who will retire this year. Gates oversaw a five year, 30,000-foot expansion of the Phillips, including the construction of a garden and an auditorium. THE SCENE: Lobster and veal were served at tables topped with five foot-tall topiaries. Dessert and dancing were held at the Anderson House. THE GUESTS: Justice Alito and Martha Ann Alito, Mayor Adrian Fenty and Michelle Fenty, Linda Douglass, and Sidney and Rep. Jane Harman, David and Katherine Bradley, and Dan and Rhoda Glickman.

Who has it… and who gives it away.

By Beth Farnstrom

Robert and Marion Rosenthal

“I go to Washington – if only to be near my money,” comedian Bob Hope once quipped. But forget about taxes pouring into federal coffers: With cash to flash, members of Washington’s growing mega-millionaire’s club (50 Million Plus) like to show their green in perhaps, sometimes ritzy, but mainly philanthropic ways.

Buy a baseball team? No problem. Accessorize with megawatt Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes? Ditto. Underwrite productions at the Kennedy Center? Done.

Washington’s wealth – sparked by the dotcom boom of the ’90s and fueled by the ever-rising real estate and stock markets – has “put a lot of money in people’s pockets and created a new level of wealth in Washington,” says developer Ed Asher of the Chevy Chase Land Company. While ten Washingtonians made the latest Forbes 400 list with fortunes in the billions, wealth is spread far and wide these days. Fortunes have been built on the backs of new technology, media, sports, real estate, government contracts and, of course, Washington’s original industry: politics. In just three years, the number of Washington area families with liquid assets (that is, not counting residential property and 401Ks) grew a whopping 60 percent, from 88,000 in 2003 to 140,000 in 2006. Similarly, in a slightly higher stratosphere, those with $5 million plus in liquid assets grew 53 percent, from 15,000 to 23,000 families, according to Phoenix Marketing International.

Where the money goes, the charity flows and, yes, luxury follows, and how!

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