Giving Done Right

Nearly everyone will age or be in a caregiving role for aging relatives at some point in their life, yet relatively few major donors or foundations make aging an explicit priority. In this episode, Phil and Grace discuss the importance of enabling everyone to age with dignity with Ramsey Alwin, president and CEO of the National Council on Aging, and Chad Federwitz, manager of Pitkin County Senior Services in Aspen, Colorado. Ramsey and Chad offer insight into the numerous opportunities for donors to support aging programs, from research and advocacy to local community efforts and discuss the vital role that senior centers and community programs play.  Additional Resources National Council on Aging (NCOA) Grantmakers in Aging Information on the Older Americans Act for advocates Eldercare Locator - find services for older adults and their families

What role do leaders play in the success of nonprofits and how can donors better support effective nonprofit leaders? Phil and Grace chat with Yolanda Coentro, president and CEO of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice about her own journey to leadership and the unique set of challenges that nonprofit leaders face. They also discuss funding dynamics that prioritize programs over people, burnout, and the role of identity as a leader. Additional Resources Institute for Nonprofit Practice (INP) The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros Fund the People CEP’s State of Nonprofits 2024: What Funders Need to Know Find CEP’s reports on grantmaker responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and greater focus on racial equity here.  Trust-Based Philanthropy Project

What happens when you give cash to those in need? In this episode, Phil and Grace discuss direct cash transfers in conversation with Jesús Gerena, president and CEO of UpTogether. Jesús shares insight into how individuals who receive cash transfers invest in themselves, their families, and their communities. Jesús, Grace, and Phil consider attitudes of paternalism and mistrust of the poor among donors. They also discuss related concepts and ideas such as basic income movements and effective altruism. Additional Resources UpTogether The Urban Institute’s evaluation of the Austin Guaranteed Income Pilot Center for Guaranteed Income Research at the University of Pennsylvania GiveDirectly CEP’s research on the impact of MacKenzie Scott’s giving

Could AI help us tackle intractable social problems and create a more just and equitable world? Vilas Dhar, president and trustee of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, believes so. In this episode, Phil and Grace ask Vilas about his vision for how AI can play a pivotal role in promoting equity. Vilas makes the case that now is the time for philanthropy and donors to step in, ensuring that the technology is built ethically. Phil and Grace address many of the fears and hesitations donors may have about AI with Vilas, and learn about the McGovern Foundation’s work to equip nonprofits with AI tools to magnify their impact. Additional Resources Patrick J McGovern Foundation Vilas Dhar on the CEP blog: Consumers to Creators: Philanthropy and Nonprofits Can Build AI for Impact

How can donors support a revitalization of civic engagement and a renewed commitment to democratic citizenship? Eric Liu, co-founder CEO of Citizen University, joins Phil and Grace to discuss the crisis in civic faith, our individual power to effect positive change in our communities, and the importance of supporting literacy in power. He also exhorts donors to recognize that democracy and citizenship go beyond electoral politics, addresses the difficult question of when to engage in bridging and when it may be unproductive, and speaks to the importance of inviting youth into the conversation. Additional Resources Citizen University You’re More Powerful Than You Think: A Citizen’s Guide to Making Change Happen by Eric Liu Whitney Kimball Coe, Director of National Programs, Center for Rural Strategies, The Aspen Institute  Report: Our Common Purpose: Reinventing American Democracy for the 21st Century Report: Youth Civic Empowerment: Insights from the Student Experience Report: Habits of Heart and Mind: How to Fortify Civic Culture

Long Family Foundation Executive Director Vivian Long joins Phil and Grace to discuss her family’s approach to giving together, navigating intergenerational philanthropic priorities, and the long-term commitment from funders that true transformation requires. Vivian also addresses the Long Family Foundation’s approach to building close relationships with grantees and their focus on the “how” of giving. She also shares her family’s story of humble beginnings and her own path to leadership at the family foundation, and the surprises that came with it.  Additional Resources The Long Family Foundation CEP’s Overlooked reports on the experience of AAPI nonprofit leaders and Native American nonprofit leaders with funders: Overlooked, Part One and Overlooked, Part Two The Science of Productive Conflict | WorkLife with Adam Grant Starfish Project

President of the Ford Foundation Darren Walker joins Phil and Grace for a conversation about bold philanthropic leadership, inequality, and the importance of investing in institutions that fight for justice. On the heels of his announcement that he will be stepping down, Darren also reflects on accomplishments and regrets from his tenure. In addition, Phil and Darren offer their different takes on whether “philanthropic pluralism” is really under threat. Additional Resources: Ford Foundation “We Disagree on Many Things, but We Speak with One Voice in Support of Philanthropic Pluralism,” op-ed in The Chronicle of Philanthropy by Darren Walker and others “Who Is Threatening ‘Philanthropic Freedom’” by Phil Buchanan, a response to the above op-ed “Finding Philanthropy’s Forgotten Founder” by Darren Walker

Climate scientist, author, and climate policy expert Ayana Elizabeth Johnson joins Giving Done Right hosts Phil and Grace to discuss “what if we get it right” on climate – and the role philanthropy can play in implementing climate solutions. Ayana discusses the opportunities for individuals to take climate action through philanthropy as well as the importance of choosing where and how we invest our wealth. In this wide-ranging discussion on the possibilities of climate action, Ayana offers guidance for finding your niche in climate action both as individuals and as philanthropists. Additional Resources: “What if We Get it Right: Visions of Climate Futures” by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson CEP’s Report Much Alarm, Less Action: Foundations and Climate Change Climate Action Venn Diagram TED Talk: How to Find Joy in Climate Action More writing, talks, and resources from Ayana Elizabeth Johnson The Crucial Years: Writing by Bill McKibben EarthJustice LeadLocally.org Environmental Voter Project The All We Can Save Project Urban Ocean Lab

Hosts Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette are excited to bring you season four of the Giving Done Right podcast, the show on everything you need to know to make an impact with your charitable giving. This season, Phil and Grace cover a range of topics, including what donors can do about climate change, the power of direct cash transfers, the potential risks and opportunities associated with the use of AI, and the importance of investing in nonprofit leadership. Tune in to hear from leaders like climate scientist and author Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Ford Foundation President Darren Walker, CEO and co-founder of Citizen University Eric Liu, and president and CEO of UpTogether Jesús Gerena.  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In the season three finale of the Giving Done Right podcast, hosts Phil and Grace pull back the curtain on new Center for Effective Philanthropy research: Giving Big: The Impact of Large, Unrestricted Gifts on Nonprofits. Phil and Grace discuss how the idea to study the impact of MacKenzie Scott’s gifts on their recipients came about, the approach to the research, the key findings of the study about the experiences of the nonprofit leaders who have received these gifts, and implications for other donors.

Home Depot co-founder and owner of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United teams, Arthur Blank joins episode seven of season 3, alongside President and Director of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Fay Twersky. Arthur and Fay discuss the values-driven approach of the Blank Family Foundation with hosts Phil and Grace. Arthur also shares insight into how he and his family take a collaborative approach to decision-making within the foundation and how he identified the right leader in Fay to lead the work forward. Fay speaks to finding fit and values-alignment when choosing to work with a family foundation, and both speak of the impact of their Jewish faith on their giving and vocations.

In the sixth episode of season 3, philanthropists Vinh and Leisle Chung share their remarkable stories of coming to the U.S. as a refugee and an immigrant, respectively, and how early experiences being on the receiving end of generosity have deeply shaped their own giving. They also discuss the way that generosity is passed down through generations by example, the intangible and invaluable benefits that philanthropy brings the giver, and their journey to orienting the mission of their medical practice around giving both locally and internationally.

Author and activist Heather McGhee joins hosts Phil and Grace for the fifth episode of season three. Heather provides keen insight into ‘drained pool’ politics, a core metaphor in her book, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, that reveals how the racial zero sum mindset hurts everyone. She presents a compelling picture of how racial inequality cuts across any number of issues that donors may care about, and therefore needs to be deeply considered and addressed in order to be effective in giving. She also describes “the solidarity dividend,” the significant benefits that result when people come together across differences, and she shares her reasons for feeling optimistic about the future.

In the fourth episode of season 3, hosts Phil and Grace are joined by Allison Sesso, president and CEO of RIP Medical Debt. Allison discusses the enormous stigma and burden of medical debt in the U.S. healthcare system and provides insight into the organization’s innovative model of canceling that debt. She also pushes back on the idea that the nonprofit sector is stagnant and uninventive and shares about her organization’s experience receiving a $50 million gift from MacKenzie Scott.

Philanthropist and restaurateur April Tam Smith joins Grace on the Giving Done Right podcast to discuss her unique approach to giving, balancing philanthropic pursuits with a career in finance, and finding both purpose and friendship – as well as retaining humility – as a donor. April and her husband have taken a radically generous approach to giving; in specific chapters of their lives, they’ve done a “reverse tithe,” contributing up to 90 percent of their income to charitable causes. She discusses her philanthropic journey as well as running a nonprofit vegan restaurant in the heart of Times Square in New York City.

In the second episode of season three, hosts Phil and Grace are joined by Patty McIlreavy, president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), to discuss disasters, philanthropy’s responsibility for both prevention and recovery, and the most common pitfalls for donors responding to disasters. Patty shares her deep expertise on what can make a disaster response successful (or unsuccessful), discusses examples like the natural disasters in Haiti and Houston, and delves into issues of equity in disaster prevention and response. We love making this show, and we’re always trying to make it better for you. With that in mind, we've got a quick survey. Fill it out and you'll be entered for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Bookshop. https://givingdoneright.org/survey/

In the season 3 premiere of Giving Done Right, hosts Phil and Grace talk with Gladys Vega about her remarkable work leading Boston-area nonprofit La Colaborativa. In the first of eight episodes this season, Gladys takes us deep into her community and her organization’s work. She discusses the strengths of La Colaborativa’s approach, which is deeply integrated into the community it serves, revisits both the most difficult moments of the pandemic and the positive changes that emerged, and discusses how to make sustainable change through both direct service and advocacy work.

Being a wise and effective donor isn’t easy. That’s where Giving Done Right comes in — the podcast with everything you need to know to be a more effective giver. Join hosts Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette from the Center for Effective Philanthropy as they welcome major donors and nonprofit leaders to answer philanthropy’s burning questions and bust some myths about giving that have long plagued donors and nonprofits alike. Subscribe now for updates.

In the season finale of Giving Done Right season two, CEP’s Phil and Grace talk with Paul Niehaus, co-founder and chairman of GiveDirectly. Paul discusses the power of direct cash transfers – how they work, why trusting those in need with cash can be extremely effective, and when certain issue areas might warrant a different philanthropic approach.

In the penultimate episode of Giving Done Right season two, CEP’s Phil and Grace with Gloria Walton, president and CEO of The Solutions Project. Gloria focuses on the intersection of climate change and racial justice, the value of grassroots organizing and advocacy in moving an issue forward, and what it will take to move philanthropy toward truly transformative grantmaking.