Ann F. Cohen and Debra Fried Levin are co-founders of PhilanthropicSolutions. Their combined experience from the business and non-profit worlds brings a dynamic insight into the world of philanthropy in today’s changing economy. They use a straightforward, structured approach to transform your ideas into effective, strategic philanthropy. Together with their alliances they bring the full complement of talent to your giving strategy.
Ann F. Cohen
Ann
brings over 20 years of leadership experience in business development
and operations from her career as a Vice President at Electronic Data
Systems (EDS) and later as a business consultant. At EDS she
established several business units, including the financial markets,
law enforcement and aeronautics, developing and growing them to over
$3.5 billion in revenue.
Prior to her business career, Ann was a practicing attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice where she handled federal cases across the country and in the U.S. Supreme Court. She has also served on many non-profit boards in the areas of the arts, education, religion and human service.
Among the honors for which she is most proud are her selection as a "Federal 100" winner, an award naming the top information technology executives from government and industry and her appointment to the United States-Israel Science and Technology Commission.
Ann graduated cum laude from Clark University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and earned her juris doctor degree from Antioch School of Law. She is married to Jonathan Strum and they have two daughters.
Debra Fried Levin
Debra
has over twenty years of experience in the non-profit sector where she
worked with over a dozen institutions on a wide range of issues. Debra
has served as development director with both large scale,
well-established institutions including a major university, and small,
cutting-edge enterprises.
Integral to her success with these institutions has been her ability to involve donors in all aspects of these organizations and to engage them through leadership positions. She has directed programs for women’s, Jewish, community and environmental groups. She is an active member of her community, serving on the Boards of numerous organizations.
From 1990 to 1992, Debra served as Finance Director for then Senator and Vice Presidential nominee Al Gore, in addition to directing his inaugural office. As a presidential appointee to the United States Department of Education, Debra managed the implementation of the administration’s Goals 2000 education reform efforts.
Ms. Levin is a graduate of Cornell University. She and her family live in Washington, DC.
Our alliances with major firms and niche experts allow us to tailor our services to address your specific needs. We work with the best talent available. Depending on where you are in the philanthropic process - just beginning, fine-tuning your past giving, or overhauling your entire approach -- we'll organize the team, or work with your current advisors, to gets the results you want.
Legal Counsel
Determining the most appropriate structure for your giving often requires legal guidance. Whether you choose to establish and give through a foundation, make gifts from personal assets, direct corporate resources to charitable causes, our team of lawyers - with extensive charitable giving experience -- can steer you in the direction that works best for you. And our legal advisors can also guide you in integrating your philanthropic interests with your estate planning. We have alliances with New York and Washington, DC based law firms, and we will always work with your team.
Financial and Accounting
Charitable giving has significant financial implications. Tax and estate planning considerations are integral to an effective philanthropic strategy. We have formed alliances with experienced talent in the tax, accounting, financial management and insurance industries. These seasoned advisors will work within your legal framework and can guide you as you determine what kinds of gifts to give -- cash, stock, appreciated property, insurance; the timing of those gifts; and long-term planning that coordinates philanthropic and family interests.
Subject Matter Experts and Research Assistants
Targeting your giving to organizations or opportunities that are consistent with your interests requires thoughtful deliberation. Do you want to support direct service or advocacy organizations? Which is more effective, start-up entrepreneurial organizations or established groups with a proven track record? Should you provide general operating support or direct funds to specific programs? Our subject matter experts -- whether your interest is in education, the arts, health care, to mention only a few -- will provide you with in depth and focused information to enable you to make decisions about how to be most effective. We have alliances with many people in the arts, education, religion as well as the ability to reach into academia for the experts in many fields.
Public Relations
Philanthropic giving often provides the opportunity for leadership that further promotes your cause. Getting appropriate public recognition for a gift often motivates others to make significant gifts. Our team of public relations experts work with you to get the kind of publicity that is appropriate for you and your cause. And of course, if anonymity is your preference, we will support the issue and ensure the confidentiality desired.
Family Advisors
Our family advisors help navigate the challenging issues that often emerge when a wide range of opinions come to bear on priorities for and allocation of funds for philanthropic purposes.