Doing Good Well: Navigating Ethical Tensions in Philanthropy

March 18, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (CDT)

Description

Philanthropy is built on values--but those values can be tested in moments of complexity, urgency, and imbalances of power. This moderated panel brings together ethics scholars to explore the ethical challenges facing grantmakers today, from decision-making under uncertainty and accountability to communities, to the responsibilities that come with institutional influence. The conversation will connect ethical theory to real-world philanthropic practice and invite reflection on how funders can act with integrity, humility, and transparency in a changing social landscape.

This panel is organized by the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE), which is based at DePauw University's Prindle Institute for Ethics. Panelists include Deborah S. Mower, Director of The Center for Practical Ethics at the University of Mississippi, and Alex Richardson, Associate Director of the Prindle Institute for Ethics. The panel will be moderated by Kristen Fuhs Wells, APPE Executive Director. 

Guest SPEAKERS

Deborah S. Mower, Director of The Center for Practical Ethics, University of Mississippi

Deborah S. Mower is the founding Director of The Center for Practical Ethics and the inaugural Professor of Ethics at the University of Mississippi. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE) and the Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization (PLATO), and is part of the Research Network for the National Institute for Civil Discourse. Specializing in moral psychology, applied ethics, public policy, and moral education, her work focuses on moral sensitivity, conviction, and civility.

Alex Richardson, Associate Director, Prindle Institute for Ethics

Alex Richardson, Ph.D. is Associate Director for Content Strategy and Engagement at the Prindle Institute for Ethics at DePauw University, where he leads the Institute’s digital strategy, educational platforms and services, and national partnerships and engagement. In this role, he shapes how ethics education reaches audiences across the country through innovative resources, tools, and unique collaborations. He also teaches as an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at DePauw. He is Chair of the American Philosophical Association Committee on Pre-College Philosophy and serves on the Board of Directors of the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics, as well as on the APPE Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl Council and Steering Committee and the National High School Ethics Bowl Advisory Board. He is also an affiliated Research Fellow with the Center for Practical Ethics at the University of Mississippi. Locally, he serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for Indy Pride. Working at the intersection of ethics, political philosophy, and philosophy of education, Richardson has been recognized for his work on civility, democratic deliberation, and civic education. A teacher at heart, he is a leading advocate for public philosophy and pre-college ethics education, with a particular focus on cultivating the moral and intellectual virtues necessary for healthy democratic life.

Kristen Fuhs Wells, Executive Director, Association for Practical and Professional Ethics

Kristen is the Executive Director of the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE), which is an international membership association based at The Prindle Institute for Ethics at DePauw University. Previously, she worked for Indiana Humanities, where she led communications and development strategies for 12 years and served as vice president. Kristen earned an undergraduate journalism degree in integrated communications and an MBA in marketing, both from Butler University. She is very active in her community, where she co-founded the Putnam County Mural Project, coaches middle school volleyball, and serves in leadership roles for the Greencastle Civic League and the Friends of the Park of Putnam County. She also serves as Faculty/Staff Advisor for the Lilly Scholars Network DePauw chapter.

Audience & Registration

Our colleagues at Indiana Philanthropy Alliance are hosting this Midwest Partnership webinar, which has been designed with all types of grantmakers in mind.

PhilMO Members may participate for free. If this is your first interaction with the new PhilMO website, choose “Create New Account” when registering. 

Non-Member Missouri grantmakers may participate for a fee of $75. Non-Members should choose “Non-Member Funder” to register and submit payment.

If you encounter any challenges registering for this program or otherwise navigating the new website, help is available by contacting info@philmo.org. 

What is the Midwest Partnership?

The Midwest Partnership is a collaboration between the Council of Michigan Foundations, Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, Philanthropy Missouri, and Philanthropy Ohio. 

The Midwest Partnership publishes an annual Midwest Grantmaker Salary Report and hosts joint programs, including monthly webinars connecting funders across the four states. Webinars are typically designed for community foundations, corporate foundations and giving programs, and/or family foundations. Occasionally, a program -- like this one! -- will be relevant to all foundation types. Regardless of focus, all foundation types may register for any program. 

Participation in webinars and access to the annual Salary Report is free for Member organizations. Non-Member Missouri grantmakers may not access the report but occasionally may register for webinars by contributing a $75 fee.