Giving Done Right

From his days as mayor of San Antonio, Texas to serving as a Cabinet Secretary under former President Barack Obama to leading the nation's largest Latino-serving foundation, Julián Castro has always sought to create positive change in people's lives. As CEO of the Latino Community Foundation, Julián joins Phil and Grace to discuss his vision for a thriving Latino community in the U.S., sharing how philanthropy can enhance civic engagement and improve educational, health, and employment outcomes for Latinos. They also delve into the implications of the 2024 election results, including the shift rightward among at least a segment of Latino voters, the incoming Trump administration’s potential implementation of mass deportations, and challenges to the nonprofit sector broadly including proposed legislation in Congress. Additional Resources Latino Community Foundation UnidosUS  H.R.9495 - Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act

Jeff and Tricia Raikes, co-founders of the Raikes Foundation, join Phil and Grace to share their path to philanthropy, their focus on creating supportive systems and fostering belonging for youth, and their belief in proximity and partnership with both nonprofits and beneficiaries of their funding. They discuss what they learned as they transitioned to full-time philanthropy and how donors can avoid common pitfalls. Phil and Jeff also debate the merits of comparing giving to investing. Additional Resources Raikes Foundation CEP’s Grantee Perception Report YouthTruth Giving Compass’ Learning Center CEP’s Resources for Individual Donors Solidaire Network Women Donors Network Find your local community foundation

Stephen Heintz, president and CEO of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, joins Phil and Grace to discuss the results of the 2024 presidential election, whether there is merit to the argument of journalist Ezra Klein and others that certain nonprofit organizations are having an outsized impact on the Democratic party, the role of nonprofits in a functioning democracy, and what it will take to rebuild trust across ideological divides. Stephen offers insight into the long-term, community-based work he believes will help nurture civic engagement and bolster democracy, suggesting both where donors can give as well as actions they can take. He also shares the story behind the Rockefeller Brothers Fund decision to be a leader in the movement to divest from fossil fuels, and the unexpected ripple effects that created. Additional Resources When Will Democrats Learn to Say No? by Adam Jentleson in the New York Times The End of the Obama Coalition - Michael Lind on The Ezra Klein Show “The New Class War: Saving Democracy from the Managerial Elite” by Michael Lind Ezra Klein on Where Democrats Go From Here - Pod Save America  Our Common Purpose: Reinventing American Democracy for the 21st Century American Academy of Arts and Sciences Brennan Center for Justice Dēmos Eric Liu on Revitalizing Faith in American Democracy - The Giving Done Right Podcast Citizen University Habits of the Heart and Mind: How to Fortify Civic Culture Trust for Civic Life

Father-daughter duo Mike Bontrager and Stephanie Almanza join Phil and Grace to share their approach to building both for-profit and nonprofit ventures in their local community that are rooted in trust, partnership, and shared goals. Mike offers insight into how he found success in the financial industry by putting trust ahead of profit and how that principle has informed his philanthropic and entrepreneurial ventures in his hometown of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. The two also discuss how they chose to invest locally and the way they work in partnership with other community nonprofits, city government, and their neighbors to help build a thriving community. Additional Resources Square Roots Collective Voices Underground Project Praxis Labs The War Before the War: Fugitive Slaves and the Struggle for America’s Soul From the Revolution to the Civil War by Andrew Delbanco The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith

What can donors do to address the seemingly intractable problem of homelessness? Susan Thomas, president of the Melville Charitable Trust, joins Phil and Grace to discuss the systems and barriers in place in the U.S. that result in well over a half million unhoused Americans. Susan draws on her own personal and familial story as well as decades of experience, arguing that homelessness and structural racism are intrinsically linked, both historically and today. Additional Resources Melville Charitable Trust The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap by Mehrsa Baradaran The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee Listen to “Heather McGhee on the Zero Sum Lie” on the Giving Done Right podcast

Phil and Grace invite their CEP colleagues Elisha Smith Arrillaga and Kevin Bolduc to the recording studio for a candid and lively conversation that covers nonprofit-donor relationships, big gifts, trust in philanthropy, and the challenges facing nonprofits right now. The four bring their considerable collective experience and CEP’s data-based insights to bear on crucial questions like how donors can best support the causes they believe in, what everyday donors can learn from MacKenzie Scott’s approach to giving, how to think about trust in donor-nonprofit relationships, how to be an effective nonprofit board member, and more. For donors looking to embrace nuance and up their giving ‘game,’ this episode is a must-listen. Additional Resources State of Nonprofits 2024: What Funders Need to Know CEP’s research on the impact of MacKenzie Scott’s giving: “Giving Big: The Impacts of Large, Unrestricted Gifts on Nonprofits” and “Emerging Impacts: The Effects of MacKenzie Scott’s Large, Unrestricted Gifts” More CEP research Trust-Based Philanthropy Project Candid’s insights on nonprofit leadership demographics Resources on board effectiveness from BoardSource CEP’s Grantee Perception Report and other assessments

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.