Philanthropy Hour

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. 

Pioneer and legend Jerr Boschee discusses the social enterprise field, the difference between social enterprise and social innovation, what constitutes a successful social entrepreneur. He touches on many different subjects that he has addressed throughout his career, including the problems with nonprofit organizations, innovations in the private sector, and why the millennial generation is so well equipped to become great social entrepreneurs. Jerr reflects on his career, the state of the sector as it now, and why he is excited for the future. This is a really wonderful conversation. 

Modern philanthropy is looking for different ways to diffuse capital into the markets, and how to make traditional investments in non-traditional settings, like 'social' enterprises. Here, Kevin discusses some of the capital vehicles, including the confusion that can occur by applying capital financing to inherently unprofitable structures, like nonprofit organizations. It is an interesting interview with an admittedly different viewpoint on the issues. Definitely worth listening to for a contrarian perspective of B Corporations and the B Corp designation. 

Glen Galaich, CEO, addresses the work of TPW, and how the workshop model is effective in forming thoughts and opinions, clarifying goals and objectives, and establishing a framework for giving, and a theory of change. Glen shares his thoughts on a broad spectrum of philanthropy, including the various issues facing philanthropy, and the proper tools to tackle different issues. This is a fascinating conversation, and Glen has keen insights into the problems and potential solutions for social change. 

In her book, Everyday Ambassador, Kate details how we can actively work to hold onto our social and community skills as we live in the digital age by practicing four core values: empathy, patience, focus, and humility. Through examples and exercises, Kate shows how these four values can bring us together, even when technology may try to force us apart. The book’s main goal? To inspire people to connect, to make a difference, and to act in service to create positive change every day, everywhere, with everyone.Kate’s experiences both in global and in local service has given her a breadth of knowledge and authority on a broad range of subjects. She is a great resource for the issues of the day, and how to address some of the world's most complex issues. In this interview, Kate discusses the Everyday Ambassador movement, the importance of human connection, and every individual's ability to express our own humanity and grace.

Dr. Sara Konrath directs the Interdisciplinary Program on Empathy and Altruism - or iPear - a research lab which focuses on empathy and related traits. In this interview, Dr. Konrath discusses her research, specifically on how empathy corresponds with philanthropy and charitable giving. It is an interesting look at how donors connect with organizations, and how we can increase giving in the future. 

Rusty Stahl is the Founder and CEO of Talent Philanthropy Project, a campaign to inspire Foundation and grantmakers to fund and nurture developing staff and leadership in grantee organizations and the nonprofit sector at large. He is helping to build a movement to maximize talent investing. Rusty joins us to talk about the deficit of talent investing, and how grantmakers can leverage the impact of their philanthropic dollars by supporting and nurturing the community of change makers in their grantee organizations and the wider social sector.  

Legendary impact investor Jed Emerson has a long and accomplished career in various sectors of investing and creating community impact. He was co-author on some of ther earliest books on Impact Investing, as well as the theory of Blended Value. Here he talks about his own career path and where it's leading, the state of social capitalism, the roots of blended value, and the future trends of impact investing. This is a highly informative and involving interview that shouldn't be missed!   

As the leader of Community Partners, Paul Vandeventer writes and speaks extensively on networks, partnerships, civic engagement, and promoting greater 'civic reach.' He passionately advocates for a more united and collaborative Los Angeles. He is a wonderful speaker and deep thinker, with knowledge on the region, and a passion for storytelling.  

Impact Makers, a management and IT consulting company in Richmond, VA, is truly creating impact on an unprecedented level. They have made a commitment to gift 100% of all profits and equity from the company back into the community, through a couple of community foundation organizations. That is correct. 100% of the company is owned by community nonprofits.  As one of the original certified B Corporations, the purpose of this company is to maximize community and social value.  It has been good for their bottom line as well, since Impact Makers is listed in Inc. magazine's Top 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies.  Profits, Purpose, and Passion. 

Katie Kerr, Director of Communications for B Lab, discusses exactly what a B Corporation is, how companies can gain certification through the B Impact Assessment, and how a generation of social entrepreneurs is using business as a force for good in the world. B Corp certification is to sustainable business what LEED certification is to green building or Fair Trade certification is to coffee. Today, there is a growing community of over 1,000 Certified B Corps from more than 30 countries and 60 industries working together toward 1 unifying goal: to use business as a force for social good.

Nell provides concrete examples from her 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She discusses how truly effective organizations always begin with a Theory of Change, getting to the core of why they exist, and being able to articulate that through a Message of Impact. From there, an org must focus on strong leadership, building an effective board of directors, and staying true to their core mission and strategic plan. This is an insightful interview full of great actionable tips.  

Cathy Clark is a professor, researcher, impact investor, and leader in the movement for social enterprises, B Corporations, impact investing, and social good.  She is a Director of CASE i3 at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, i3 standing for Initiative on Impact Investing.  In this episode she speaks about impact investing, social entrepreneurs, and the importance of this model in the world of business, and how it represents the future of fundraising for pro-social organizations.