Philanthropy Hour

  Vikki Spruill, President and CEO of Council on Foundations, speaks to the Philanthropy Hour on the work of the Council, how they represent all of various grantmakers across the country, and how they provide effective resources. Vikki addresses the impact and value of American philanthropy in general, as well as the importance of charitable giving. She discusses some of the emerging trends in philanthropy, and how Foundations are responding to these different charitable vehicles. She has a great understanding of the philanthropic climate, and what it will take to advocate on behalf of the sector.   

Dan Nigito   Dan joins the Philanthropy Hour to talk about how all Americans are philanthropists, but not necessarily in a good way. There is currently a "war on wealth," and we need to do a better job of understanding how the flow of money works in order to leverage our investments and protect our hard-earned money. By doing so, we all have more capacity to give, to be charitable, and to do more good. Because of our current tax laws and the structure of our government codes, Americans are well positioned to protect their finances and support charitable causes that they are passionate about. It is a perfect mix, but we must be better educated on how to leverage our current wealth. We can grow our nest egg while also creating a charitable legacy. It is time to become intentional philanthropists, not accidental ones. 

Mark Kramer is the co-Founder and Managing Director of FSG, as well as the co-Founder of Center for Effective Philanthropy. He is also an accomplished speaker and author, and has published extensively on topics in philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility.   On the show, Mark discusses his theories of Collective Impact, Shared Value, and the secret to truly impactful, catalytic philanthropy. This is not about inventing new business models, or recreating systems, but about aligning our values with our intentions, and opening lines of communications. There must also be an understanding that catalytic change can never occur without the collaboration of multiple organizations, working across sectors, with a common agenda. The true path to real philanthropy is a passion for the cause, and an understanding of the underlying issues. 

Margaret Hall is the Executive Director of The Greenlight Fund, a national venture philanthropy organization, which she co-founded with John Simon in Boston. In the past 10 years, they have scaled this venture philanthropy model to five other cities, most recently in Detroit. Margaret explains the GreenLight Fund model, the inspiration for bringing venture philanthropy to the nonprofit sector, and how they are creating a more connected and integrated network of service partners. This is a wonderful, innovative approach to involving communities and bringing the best social services to the people. 

David Greco is the head of Social Sector Partners. Social Sector Partners works to transform organizations working to achieve social impact through strategic adaptation, business model repositioning, and scaling programs. Healthy, vibrant, and just communities require a strong and sustainable social sector. David provides a continuum of consulting services to help build the capacity, financial strength and sustainability of community based organizations.   In this podcast, he discusses his experience working with funders and donors to develop more effective grantmaking strategies, build the skill and capacity of program staff, and improve grantmaking outcomes.

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors develops strategic plans, conducts research, manages foundations and trusts, structures major gifts, coordinates donor collaboratives, and provides re-granting and fiscal sponsorship services. Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors annually manages or facilitates about $200 million in giving to more than 20 countries. It has offices in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago.  On the show, Ms. Berman discusses a new framework for shaping, discussing and assessing the core beliefs and capabilities that underlie a foundation, or any giving program.  Explore how the “Theory of the Foundation” framework allows funders to look at their giving, the environments in which they operate, and their core competencies with fresh eyes and renewed commitment — potentially setting a new course and increasing impact for your organization. 

Antony Bugg-Levine is the CEO of Nonprofit Finance Fund, a national nonprofit and financial intermediary that unlocks the potential of mission-driven organizations. through tailored investment, strategic advice, and accessible insights. In this interview, Antony delves deeper into the outcomes-based approaches that NFF has been taking on lately, in partnership with government, private sector, and philanthropic organizations. He gives concrete examples of organizations and movements that NFF has supported through outcomes-based funding. This includes the recently announced partnership that NFF made with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco to provide a knowledge campaign around supporting outcomes-based approaches. Antony also discusses some of the bigger trends in the philanthropic sector, and how NFF is keeping pace with the constant growth and innovation. This is an insightful and illuminating conversation with one of the sector's brightest minds. 

Paul Shoemaker is the Founding President of Social Venture Partners International, and he led SVP Seattle as the Executive Director for 17 years. He is fresh off of his recent book, 'Can't Not Do,' which is a call to action of sorts for the social sector, rich with personal stories and actionable advice. In this interview, Paul discusses certain trends in the social sector. He talks about his experiences with Social Venture Partners, why the venture philanthropy model works, and how these ideas are manifesting themselves in different parts of the country, as well as spreading globally. As an author and frequent speaker, Paul is concerned with helping people focus on their commitment to social good, and overcoming the obstacles that stand in their way. Here he stresses getting back to the basics when it comes to philanthropy, and how we all play a part in strengthening the social sector. 

Jen Ratay is the Executive Director of the Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund, or SV2, where she manages a network of more than 200 Partners and philanthropists, and helps guide their philanthropic investments to the most effective outcomes. SV2's pool of investments helps support promising nonprofits and social enterprises in the Silicon Valley community, as well as throughout the world. SV2 is on the cutting edge of a lot of philanthropic trends. They pioneered Venture Philanthropy in its earliest days. A decade and a half later, they remain committed to longer term investments and capacity building grants, while introducing additional initiatives to achieve social impact, such as impact investing. Jen has helped to guide the organization through a recent strategic planning initiative, where Partners reassessed their philanthropic practices and reaffirmed their shared values and commitment to strengthening the social sector. Jen joins the Philanthropy Hour today to discuss some of the exciting new things SV2 is working on, as well as broader trends in the philanthropic sector. Her energy and passion are infectious. 

As the CEO of Mission Measurement, Jason Saul has focused relentlessly on cracking the code of measuring social impact. For as long as the social sector has existed, funders and nonprofits alike have remained in the dark when it comes to measuring real performance and impact. How do we crack create a real, mainstream economic currency for the value of social change, a sort of marketplace for social outcomes? Today, Jason gives us a more detailed look into the metrics and algorithms that drive Mission Measurement, and why it is such a crucial component of lifting the social sector, and improving organizations. Jason and his team have worked relentless on this question, and the result has been the Impact Genome Project, a revolutionary new system that can predict social outcomes before an investment. Partnering with the same engineer that developed the Music Genome Project for Pandora, This is a comprehensive evidence-base of what works in social change.  This is truly a groundbreaking and transformational moment for the social sector. Jason Saul and his colleagues are on the forefront of this movement, and this interview is a must-listen. 

Andrew Wolk is a pioneer in the social enterprise movement. He designed and taught one of the first courses on social entrepreneurship in this country. He is the founder of several social venture including Root Cause, a nonprofit consulting firm and pragmatic partner to nonprofits, social entrepreneurs, foundations, and government.  In this podcast, Andrew discusses the Root Cause model, their relentless focus on impact and outcomes, and how measuring and understanding impact is of vital interest to nonprofits striving to improve lives. He also explains the use of data and evidence for driving higher performance, and why it is necessary to focus on the right data. Andrew also provides some exclusive insights into Root Cause, and how the organization is evolving with the times, and responding to the issues of our country. 

Gregg Behr is the Executive Director of the Grable Foundation, based in Pittsburgh, PA, helping to advance high-quality early childhood education, improved teaching and learning in public schools, and robust out-of-school time support. In this podcast, Gregg discusses this family foundation's grantmaking practices, the importance of being very present in the community, and responsive to community leaders, and the need to get back to the basics with respect to effective grantmaking. We discuss the unique characteristics of the Pittsburgh community, and how philanthrophy has been a true driver of change in the city over the past few decades. The Grable Foundation is demonstrating place-based grantmaking, and a model of excellence. 

Third Sector Capital leads governments, high-performing nonprofits, and private funders in building evidence-based initiatives that address society’s most persistent challenges. As experts in innovative public-private contracting and financing strategies, Third Sector is an architect and builder of the nation’s most promising Pay for Success projects including those in Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and Santa Clara County, California.  As a co-Founder, Caroline provides a clear and in-depth look at the Pay For Success field, what they have achieved thus far, and what can be accomplished in the future. This is a helpful primer for anyone who is trying to learn more on the PFS subject. Caroline's energy and passion about Pay for Success is infectious! 

Rick Williams is the CEO of the Sobrato Family Foundation, based in Cupertino, CA, which is focused on building a thriving Silicon Valley, through its business and philanthropic leadership. It is a place-based grant maker that invests in organizations seeking to make a social impact in the tri-county area of Silicon Valley. Today, Rick joins us to discuss the strategic grantmaking of the Sobrato Family Foundation, the challenges specific to the Silicon Valley region, how they are responding to the community, and how they are using philanthropy as a tool for change. This is a great and inspirational conversation, from a man with a lot of industry experience.

Dr. Emily Gustafsson-Wright is a fellow at the Brookings Institution. She helped publish a report in summer 2015 with some of her colleagues entitled "The Potential and Limitations of Social Impact Bonds: Lessons From The First 5 Years of Experience Worldwide." Here we discuss exactly what a Social Impact Bond is, how it functions, and its potential ramifications for funding social service projects in the future. SIBs have only been around for 5 years, but they are already gaining a lot of attention, with potential investors ready to get involved in the game. So it is important to analyze what is working and what needs to be improved for the future. 

As Vice President of The Morgridge Family Foundation, Carrie Morgridge has learned what works and what doesn't when it comes to giving. She argues that in order to ensure meaningful and lasting change, a gift must be more than simply a grant of money. The giver must assess whether the program is the right fit, work hand-in-hand with the key leaders on strategy, develop a plan for making the endeavor sustainable, and ensure that their gift can be leveraged to have a bigger impact on the community. By sharing real-life stories of how this hands-on approach to giving has transformed lives including her own, Morgridge inspires others to believe that they can also make a difference in their community, no matter the size of their gift. The most important message is that we all can get involved in some way. This is an inspirational and informative conversation

Kathy LeMay is the founder, President, and CEO of Raising Change, an organization that raises capital to advance social change agendas and increase philanthropic Participation.  Today she joins Philanthropy Hour to discuss the movement of humanity in philanthropy. She shares how her Generosity Plan helps steer individual givers towards finding their inner-inspiration and purpose. Everybody has the power to become a philanthropist. We must all "do what we can, with what we have, where we are." Kathy shares her own experiences of working with the victims of rape and genocide in war-torn Yugoslavia. She uses that experience to teach others that we all have an issue that motivates and drives us, and we can all put our talents to good use to make a difference. The act of philanthropy is more than just giving money, it is about becoming a more humane and connected person.  It is a powerful message. 

Lisa Duran is the Executive Director of Grassroots Grantmakers in Denver, CO. Erin Barnes is a co-founder of ioby (In Our Backyard) in NYC. Together, they discuss models for community grantmaking, and empowering local citizens to take action within their own communities. This hyper-local philanthropy is sparking a movement across the country, where the best model for making change happen is on the streets. Listen to these leaders discuss the dynamics of community grantmaking, as well as the upcoming On The Ground event that they are co-sponsoring in Brooklyn in October 2015. 

Carl Terzian has run Carl Terzian Associates PR for over 46 years. He is a lion of the Los Angeles business community, and the Dean of networking. Today he reflects on his own life and successful career. He explains the networking model that makes them unique, the front and backside of the business card concept, the value of service to others, and the importance of creating meaningful relationships. He discusses leadership, philanthropy, and supporting the nonprofit community. He demonstrates that a person's career is more than just a resume or a business card, it is a reflection of their values and belief system. Carl is truly an embodiment of the phrase "doing well by doing good." This interview is a good summary of Carl's work and mission. 

T.J. Cook discusses the CauseLabs model as a true partnership of working with social entrepreneurs to design platforms which not only provide a service, but also increase our interactions with one another, and our humanity. Technology can enhance our interactions and improve our lives, but the core of all technology is still relationships. T.J. also discusses the social enterprise model, and the B Corp structure. CauseLabs became a B Corp a couple of years ago, and he said it has really opened doors and connected them to a full community of changemakers.