New Milken Institute Report Calls for Greater Role for Philanthropic and Business Leaders in Fight against Gun Violence

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Milken Institute, a global nonpartisan think tank, today issued a new report outlining efforts to curb gun violence through a multipronged approach leveraging business and philanthropic communities. The Institute’s Gun Violence Prevention (GVP) Initiative, launched in 2022, addresses the pressing issue of gun violence in the United States and works collaboratively with communities, philanthropists, and corporate-sector leaders to motivate actionable steps in the response to this public health crisis.

By leveraging the Milken Institute’s expertise in finance, philanthropy, and health, and in partnership with the Joyce Foundation, Activating Philanthropic and Business Capital: Strategies to Advance Gun Violence Prevention in the US recommends partnerships with cross-sector leaders to address America’s insufficient research funding and data infrastructure, inspire new action from the business community, and explore available and new sustainable financing models to support intervention and prevention efforts.

“Gun violence devastates families and communities and compromises our country’s ability to attract investment and talent, key pillars of the American dream,” said Richard Ditizio, CEO, Milken Institute. “We don’t have to accept this status quo—there’s an opportunity for philanthropy and business to step up.”

Gun violence is one of the most pressing and urgent issues facing communities across the United States, affecting individuals across all demographics and geographic locations. Earlier this year, the surgeon general declared gun violence a public health crisis, recognizing that firearms have surpassed car crashes, cancer, and drug overdoses to become the leading cause of death for children and teens. Approximately 40 percent of American households have at least one firearm, and nearly half of US adults report having experienced a gun-related incident. Each year, gun violence takes over 40,000 lives, imposing a staggering economic burden estimated at $557 billion annually. Even further, traumatic exposure and fear of gun violence drives functional disability and depresses economic activity.

“Philanthropy has a long and important history of pushing forward progress on addressing the epidemic of gun violence in this country,” said Julie Morita, president and CEO of the Joyce Foundation. “Bringing more foundations and businesses to the table is critical to help build on these successes and save lives.”

The report, informed by extensive research and consultations with over 100 experts, including gun owners and survivors of gun violence, offers actionable principles and recommendations for both philanthropy and business. It highlights how philanthropic capital can unlock opportunities and promote the long-term investment needed to reduce gun violence. Corporations and financial institutions, previously untapped resources in GVP efforts, are also identified as key players in driving sustainable change. For more information, visit the Milken Institute's Gun Violence Prevention Initiative.

About the Milken Institute

The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental, and environmental health, we bring together the best ideas and innovative resourcing to develop blueprints for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what's pressing now and what's coming next. For more information, visit: https://milkeninstitute.org.