“Scott revived the Centre Pompidou Foundation, which had been inactive since the death of its founder, Dominique de Menil. During his tenure, the foundation acquired 500 major gifts worth $50 million and built a new American constituency for the museum.”
“Scott has spearheaded the creation of the Cahiers d’Art Institute, a 501(c)(3) based in NY and LA, with the mission to become the industry standard publishing platform for catalogues raisonnés of important artists and architects. During the year of its creation 2020-21, the Institute acquired two major gifts in excess of $10 million, and signed up several Founding Patrons.”
“I know you [Scott] have been absolutely central to bringing this significant undertaking to fruition. Given your expert knowledge of museums and philanthropy, I know you understand the significance of this partnership... with this Prize, you are also helping solidify one of the MCA’s principal ambitions, which is to be the most globally-minded contemporary art museum in the United States, and among the most cosmopolitan in the world. Thank you for understanding the importance of a Global Vision, precisely at a time when productive international relations are most needed. Your commitment to help others make a difference is deeply admirable and all of us at the MCA are thrilled to be in lockstep with you.”
About Scott Stover
As a Philanthropy Advisor specializing in arts, culture, and science, I focus on innovative approaches to sustainable systems building. Applying my background as an investment banker, I prioritize the development of financially robust venture philanthropy models designed for long-term impact.
Attitudes to philanthropic giving are rapidly changing; my work with cultural institutions, government agencies, private collectors, artists, and artist foundations is directly responsive to currents in contemporary culture, generating and implementing strategic plans grounded in financial viability, international collaboration, cross-sector growth, and measurable impact.
From establishing and managing private foundations for individuals and artists, to developing international donor support for institutions, I encourage clients to think holistically about the visionary potential of their philanthropic initiatives. Working with a network of international advisors, trusted powerbrokers, curators, and pioneers in institutional communications, I ensure that resources are strategically channeled to achieve maximum reach and impact. In today’s hyper-connected world, establishing a legacy is far more than simply “giving back.”
Background
Stover received his A.B. and M.B.A. from Columbia University in New York and did further graduate studies in semiology and art history at Ecole Pratique des Hautes-Etudes in Paris. As an investment banker at Continental Illinois Bank, Bank of America, and Westdeutsche Landesbank, Stover headed a team working on financing projects in North and sub-Saharan Africa. Beginning in 1990, Stover was at the forefront of adapting special situations investing in continental Europe for investors in the U.S. and around the world.
In 2005, Stover founded Global Art Development (now Scott Stover inc.), a philanthropy advisory firm. The firm’s approach to strategic planning is anchored in finance to develop sustainable non-profit and for-profit projects designed for long-term impact. Stover has led projects in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, and his clients include cultural institutions and private foundations, government organizations and civic agencies, private collectors and families, artists, and artists foundations. In addition to providing strategic planning services, Stover has launched and managed several private foundations, including Centre Pompidou Foundation, Shulamit Nazarian Foundation, and Cahiers d’Art Institute. In addition to establishing the financial and legal framework of private foundations, he manages the structuring of operations, board building, programming, and marketing, branding, and communications.
Stover advocates for a progressive venture philanthropy model which favors the sustainable philanthropy priorities of the millennial generation. This approach departs from traditional forms of financing institutions and favors impact-driven projects focused on building systems that support communities in the long term. Stover is a prominent public figure in the international art world, and he is regularly involved in public discussions about the future of arts and culture. His ideas have been quoted in Le Figaro, The Financial Times, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Art Newspaper, Sotheby’s Magazine, and HuffPost. Stover will be the host of a new podcast series interviewing prominent young philanthropists about the future of sustainable philanthropy.
Recognition and Awards
In 2013 Stover was named Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his contribution to French arts and culture. He has served as a member of the Fine Art Commission of the City of Beverly Hills and on the Advisory Board of BASMOCA. Stover has been a panelist for major international talks and conferences, and art fair events discussing the future of philanthropy and the arts. He has an award-winning garden in Provence.
Giving Back is Dead!
Giving Back is Dead! is a new podcast hosted by Scott Stover and produced by Michael Woodsmall that dismantles the framework of philanthropy as we understand it to date. Delving into the motivations and subsequent dedications of the next generation, each episode will explore how young scions, entrepreneurs, and artists are redefining what it means to support arts and culture, shifting their focus from simply "giving back" (primarily by donating to institutions/organizations where they receive a plaque or gala or award named after them in return) to, instead, using their resources to build out substantive mechanisms/systems to support the communities they're donating to/working with. With historical references and current news cycles to provide backstory for the conversation, Scott and his interviewee will get into the details surrounding the issues they're addressing, how they're building out these aforementioned mechanisms/systems, who is involved, and who still needs to get involved, and what the endgame is.