What Donors Want

Philanthropy is changing — and donors are changing with it. In this episode of What Donors Want, we speak with Isabelle Hayhoe, Senior Philanthropy Adviser at Barclays Private Bank, about new research exploring how high-net-worth individuals in the UK are approaching giving today. Drawing on insights from their report The Modern Philanthropist, the conversation reveals a clear shift: today’s donors are becoming more intentional, more informed, and more engaged in the causes they support. Philanthropy is moving beyond transactions toward deeper partnerships between donors and the organisations they fund. We explore: - What today’s major donors are really looking for from charities - Why strategic advice and relationships matter more than ever - How donors are contributing more than money, and what this means for fundraisers and nonprofit leaders If philanthropy used to be about writing cheques, today it’s increasingly about participation, collaboration, and long-term change.

I.G.'s Chair, Alisha Fernandez Miranda, just published her second book and first novel, Someone's Gotta Give. How to describe it? Think Devil Wears Prada meets the world of high-value philanthropy. This relatable and heartwarming dramedy follows Lucia, a new mom and expat in London who lands a glamorous job as a philanthropic advisor to the ultra-wealthy. Caught between career ambitions, family needs, and personal growth, Lucia's story explores whether you can make a difference in the world while keeping it all together. This novel is Alisha's love letter and constructive challenge to the philanthropy and social impact sector - a fun, entertaining romp that tackles the real trade-offs we're willing to make to follow our purpose. In this special What Donors Want episode, she sits down with I.G.'s Founder, Carlos Miranda, to chat all things Someone's Gotta Give, and the power of exploring philanthropy through the lens of fiction. Get your copy here: https://bit.ly/4l9Z1tu

In this episode of Alisha and Emily interview Piyush Tantia, Chief Innovation Officer at Ideas42. Piyush shares insights on donor psychology, philanthropy trends, and the challenges of building effective giving platforms. They dive into: 🟡 The psychology behind charitable giving and why it's an interesting behaviour from an economic perspective. 🟡 How the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced giving patterns. 🟡 The different needs of high-net-worth donors and the importance of peer information in decision-making. 🟡 Challenges in creating digital platforms for philanthropy and the need for experimentation. 🟡 The importance of addressing unintuitive barriers to giving, such as bureaucratic details and financial complexities. **** This episode is sponsored by Segal Family Foundation, and our Media Partner is Alliance Magazine. Head to www.alliancemagazine.org and get 50% off your Alliance subscription with the code WhatDonorsWant at checkout.

In this episode, Rachel and Emily explore the concept of narrative ecosystems with Mandy Van Deven and Jody Myrum. Together, they dive into: 🟡 What is a narrative ecosystem, and why is this important? 🟡 How can philanthropy effectively support narratives of liberation, and fund the infrastructure for narrative power? 🟡 What is the case for supporting narrative ecosystems and what are the stakes? Mandy & Jody shared so many brilliant insights, and also have shared these resources for you if you want to learn more: 🟡 How to Fund Narrative Ecosystems (https://nonprofitquarterly.org/how-to-fund-narrative-ecosystems/) 🟡 Cultivating the Conditions: Philanthropy's Role in Fortifying the Infrastructure for Narrative Power (https://reader.giarts.org/read/cultivating-the-conditions) 🟡 Both/And Solutions (https://www.linkedin.com/company/bothandsolutions/) 🟡 Elemental (https://bit.ly/elemental5-24) 🟡 Our Collective Practice (https://www.ourcollectivepractice.org/) 🟡 Blank Noise Project (https://www.blanknoise.org/) 🟡 How Omidyar Network is working to shift beliefs about capitalism and our economy (https://medium.com/omidyar-network/how-omidyar-network-is-working-to-shift-beliefs-about-capitalism-and-our-economy-75edda791f9d) 🟡 To change the world, transform narrative oceans (https://popcollab.medium.com/to-change-the-world-transform-narrative-oceans-609c942d4d7a) **** This episode is sponsored by Segal Family Foundation, and our Media Partner is Alliance Magazine. Head to www.alliancemagazine.org and get 50% off your Alliance subscription with the code ‘WhatDonorsWant’ at checkout.

Rachel and Alisha speak with the incomparable Farah Mohamed - a leader with over 25 years of experience in the government, social-profit, and for-profit sectors. Currently, Farah is the CEO of The King's Trust Canada, a charity that creates pathways to employment for barriered youth across Canada, but you may also know her from her roles as CEO of the Malala Fund, founder & CEO of G(irls)20, or the decade she spent in the Canadian government, among many other preeminent leadership positions. Together they dive into Farah’s career, why she uses the term ‘social-profit’, what it takes to be a CEO, generational differences at work, and much more. **** This episode is sponsored by Segal Family Foundation, and our Media Partner is Alliance Magazine. Head to www.alliancemagazine.org and get 50% off your Alliance subscription with the code ‘WhatDonorsWant’ at checkout.