Philanthropy is occurring at a greater scale, faster pace, and in more complex forms than ever before in California and the West, creating a dynamic backdrop and context for The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy. Established in 2000 with major grants from leading California foundations, The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy aims to promote more effective philanthropy and strengthen the nonprofit sector to advance public problem solving. Through its research projects, roundtables, forums, and seminars, the center produces and disseminates information and ideas to philanthropists, nonprofit leaders, policymakers and the public to stimulate public dialogue and foster a greater understanding of philanthropy and its relationships with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. CPPP's goals are: to increase understanding of philanthropy's role in society, to help philanthropic organizations and individuals be more effective, to encourage partnerships among philanthropic organizations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and business to address public problems, to examine how philanthropy and public policy can influence and strengthen each other.