In the thirty-fifth episode, Lauren Gross chairs our launch event for The Mesa! (https://www.themesa.org)

The Mesa is the only digital platform designed to help you bring your philanthropic community online to connect, grow, and give better. Created by us at I.G. Advisors, in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Mesa is your completely customizable, private hub for members and clients to learn and explore how they can make a positive impact. 

Lauren is The Mesa's Managing Director, and an expert on technology and philanthropy. At the launch event, she tells you a little more about what the platform is, shares insights from our extensive design process, and moderates a conversation with three incredible next gen philanthropists + Emily Inslee, Program Officer for Philanthropic Partnerships at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. You can explore the learnings from our Mesa Pilot Period in our report (https://bit.ly/33GMybG) and please do get in touch if you want to learn more! (Contact details are on our website: https://www.themesa.org).

This episode is generously sponsored by Segal Family Foundation, and our Media Partner is Alliance Magazine. Head to alliancemagazine.org for lots of interesting philanthropic insights. Plus, you can get a 25% discount on an Alliance subscription by using the code ‘WhatDonorsWant’ at checkout.

P.S. Have any burning questions for a future What Donors Want guest? Submit them here and you’ll get a shout out on air! https://bit.ly/3cLYGea

What Donors Want

Introducing The Mesa

Welcome back to Season 4 of What Donors Want! In episode 36, Rachel Stephenson Sheff and Emily Collins-Ellis chat with the legendary Vu Le, founder of @NonprofitAF. 

We discuss:

🌟 Self care for non-profit professionals 
🌟 Vu’s brilliant #CrappyFundingPractices campaign on Twitter, and the ‘Tipping Points’ that can change bad donor behaviour 
🌟 The incredible Community Centric Fundraising Movement
🌟 Fundraiser and donor fragility
🌟 Racial justice in the non-profit sector
🌟 Vu’s favourite vegan food
🌟 And much more …

If you haven’t already, follow Vu immediately on Twitter (@NonprofitAF), and read through his many wonderful blogs (https://nonprofitaf.com/). 

A big thank you to our Season 4 sponsor, Segal Family Foundation (www.segalfamilyfoundation.org), for their continued support and generosity; and to our media partner, Alliance Magazine. Head to their website (www.alliancemagazine.org) for lots of great content, PLUS you can get 50% off an Alliance subscription by using the code ‘WhatDonorsWant’ at checkout.

Vu Le, Nonprofit AF

Emily Collins-Ellis and Rachel Stephenson Sheff speak with some of the Fellows from the very first cohort of I.G. Advisors’ #FixTheFlow Fellowship. 

One year ago, we added a bold, systems-change project to our work at I.G.: the #FixTheFlow Fellowship. Born out of frustration with the inequities and challenges of the funding system, we launched this fellowship for fundraisers who want to learn to thrive in the modern nonprofit world and lead the movement for change within the funding system so we can #FixTheFlow of resources for good. 

In this episode, we give a platform to a few of our current #FixTheFlow Fellows in Cohort 1 to speak about the challenges they face in their roles as fundraisers, and the change they want to create. 

The #FixTheFlow Fellowship is open to fundraisers of all levels, anywhere in the world. Applications for our next cohort are open until June 9th at www.fixtheflow.org, and we would love to see you join our movement. If you have any questions, get in touch!

This episode is generously sponsored by Segal Family Foundation, and our Media Partner is Alliance Magazine. Head to www.alliancemagazine.org and get 50% off your Alliance subscription by using the code ‘WhatDonorsWant’ at checkout.

What Fellows Want - Imagining the Funding System of the Future

Rachel Stephenson Sheff speaks with Nick Grono, CEO of The Freedom Fund, all about their new resource for donors and philanthropic advisors: #FundingFrontlineImpact (www.fundingfrontlineimpact.org). 

I.G. was thrilled to work with the Freedom Fund to create this resource, which shares advice, stories and tools to help donors of all kinds on their own frontline grantmaking journeys - no matter the cause or geography. Rachel & Nick discuss:

🟡 The importance of funding frontline organisations (and what this term actually means).
🟡 Why The Freedom Fund wanted to create this resource.
🟡 Why funders being transparent in their grant-making processes is necessary - and radical. 
🟡 Why sharing the specifics of how you operate as a funder is the most universally helpful thing you can do.
🟡 Why we need to lean into the nuance of what trust-based philanthropy can look like in practice.
🟡 Nick's upcoming book on non-profit leadership.

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.

And, of course, be sure to check out www.fundingfrontlineimpact.org and let us know what you think!

*Content warning: this episode briefly references sexual slavery, child soldiers and violent conflict, in relation to the Freedom Fund's work in modern slavery.

#FundingFrontlineImpact With Nick Grono, CEO of The Freedom Fund

Rachel Stephenson Sheff speaks with Jessamyn Shams-Lau and Jane Leu all about power dynamics in governance - particularly in family foundation structures, but also more broadly across the non-profit world. 

Following a decade of leading a family foundation, Jessamyn shares her powerful story of navigating these power dynamics during the #BlackLivesMatter protests of June 2020, when her foundation Board let go of the entire staff team overnight. Jane was with her through the experience, and while the particulars of this situation are shocking - the fundamentals are highly resonant across so many different governance contexts in the sector.

This is a hugely important story and episode you won’t want to miss, where we discuss:

🟡 Jessamyn’s experience when her entire staff team was let go overnight
🟡 Why it’s important not to overly blame individuals in situations like this - but rather the systems that enable problematic practices
🟡 Navigating Board collaboration when some people engage in philanthropy as a hobby, whilst others are full time career professionals 
🟡 Why it’s important for donors to engage in these conversations, too
🟡 What a ‘dream’ state of governance might look like in future

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.

Power Dynamics In Governance With Jessamyn Shams-Lau & Jane Leu

Rachel Stephenson Sheff speaks with two brilliant executives from the international fashion brand, Kurt Geiger: Neil Clifford, CEO, and Pascale Montaner, Vice President of Global Marketing & Executive Director of the Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation.

In this wonderfully transparent and energising conversation, they dive into all things corporate impact, including: 

🟡 Why Kurt Geiger decided to start a formal charitable Foundation, and the biggest surprises and learnings along the way
🟡 How Kurt Geiger took this one step further, and is now launching a bold and unique in-house flagship programme - Business By Design - which aims to support young professionals entering the creative industries, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds 
🟡 The practicalities of co-creating these visions alongside young people, in a true by-and-for model
🟡 The best advice Neil & Pascale have for professionals of all ages (it’s amazing)

At I.G., we’ve been thrilled to work directly with the Kurt Geiger team - and are particularly excited about Business By Design. The pilot launches soon, and is a completely free and subsidised programme for young people - particularly those from marginalised and underrepresented backgrounds. It’s aimed at training them up in all the core functions of a fashion business (from design to finance and marketing) so they can enter and thrive in the industry. 

If you want to learn more, or if you are a young person yourself who wants to apply (applications due 12th November!), visit their website https://www.kurtgeiger.com/business-by-design or get in touch with them directly (foundation@kurgeiger.com).

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.

Corporate Kindness With Kurt Geiger

Rachel Stephenson Sheff and Emily Collins-Ellis speak with the incomparable Roz Lee - a leader who has dedicated her life to advancing racial, gender, economic and LGBTQ justice through community organising, advocacy, political education and philanthropy. 

Roz has held leadership roles at the Equality Fund, Ms. Foundation for Women, and the Arcus Foundation. She is also the first-ever Professor of Practice at the Centre for Feminist, Queer and Transgender Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. 

While this episode is technically about fundraising - trust us when we say you will walk away a different person, and you’ll probably want to hire Roz as your life coach. Rachel, Emily, Roz - and I.G.’s community of #FixTheFlow Fellows - chat through:

🟡 What Roz has learned from working as both a grant maker and a fundraiser.
🟡 How Roz conceptualises the role of ‘fundraiser’ within the wider activist ecosystem.
🟡 How fundraisers can approach their role with a feminist mindset (both in terms of day to day ways of working, as well as in relationship with funders).
🟡 The incredible abundance mindset Roz brings into her work (and life!) and how this is the best anecdote to burnout. 

****

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.

Feminist Resource Mobilisation With Roz Lee

Imagine this - you get a call out of the blue from a consultant offering an unrestricted grant of $10 million that you can use however you like, spend on any time frame, and you never have to send a *single* update to the donor. You only have a couple of days to confirm whether or not you want to accept, and it turns out the donor is none other than MacKenzie Scott. 

In this episode, Rachel Stephenson Sheff and Emily Collins-Ellis speak with two MacKenzie Scott grantees to talk about their experience of receiving a phone call just like this: FRIDA The Young Feminist Fund (Clara Desalvo, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Manager), and Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders also known as SAGE (Michael Adams, CEO). They’re also joined by Gabrielle Fitzgerald, Founder & CEO of Panorama Global, who shares some fascinating research on the subject. 

They discuss:

🟡 What it was like to receive a call out of the blue offering $7 million and $10 million in unrestricted funding (!)
🟡 The ethical implications of accepting money from MacKenzie Scott, and FRIDA’s brilliant ‘Money Is Political’ response (https://bit.ly/3uqIXiz).
🟡 The benefits - and challenges - of accepting the donation. 
🟡 The research Panorama Global has done around MacKenzie Scott’s giving and how it isn’t (yet) leading to others following suit at scale (https://bit.ly/3SLrdsb). 
🟡 Advice they have for others looking to get on the radar of MacKenzie Scott. 

****

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.

▪️ FRIDA The Young Feminist Fund: https://youngfeministfund.org/
▪️ Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE): https://www.sageusa.org/
▪️ Panorama Global: https://www.panoramaglobal.org/

The Legacy of MacKenzie Scott With FRIDA, SAGE & Panorama Global

In this episode, Rachel Stephenson Sheff and Beatrice Onyango speak with three of Segal Family Foundation’s African Visionary Fellows - all about the power of unrestricted funding, and what it can unlock across the Continent and beyond:

🟡 Delphine Uwamahoro, Our Sisters Opportunity (OSO)
🟡 Abaas Mpindi, Media Challenge Initiative
🟡 Jackie Leonard Bomboma, Young Strong Mothers Foundation (YSMF)  

****

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.

The Power of Trust-Based Funding & The African Visionary Fellowship

In this episode, Rachel Stephenson Sheff and Emily Collins-Ellis speak with Cassie Robinson about the need to invest in ‘imagination infrastructure’ to support communities in developing practices around collective imagination to envision new futures beyond the status quo.

Cassie holds roles with Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Arising Quo, and Pro Bono Economics. 

****

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.

https://www.cassierobinson.work/

Imagination Infrastructure - What We All Need To Bring About The Future We Want

In this episode, Rachel Stephenson Sheff and Emily Collins-Ellis speak with three philanthropy experts on the debate around whether mandatory minimum payout rates should be introduced for charitable foundations in the UK. Drawing on Pro Bono Economics’ recent report on the potential of the UK’s ‘Hidden Dragon’ Foundations that are ‘sitting on assets’, we discuss the opportunity to increase funding for social causes whilst also balancing donor freedom and the long-term sustainability of foundations.

Our brilliant guests were: Charles Keidan, Executive Editor of Alliance Magazine; Nicole Sykes, Director of Policy at Pro Bono Economics; and Rhodri Davies, Founder and Director of Why Philanthropy Matters. 

****

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.

Should UK Foundations Have A Minimum Grant Payout?

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.

Leadership in the Social-Profit Sector With Farah Mohamed

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.

Resourcing Narrative Ecosystems With Mandy Van Deven & Jody Myrum

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.

Behavioural Science and What Donors (Actually) Want With Piyush Tantia of Ideas42

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

Someone's Gotta Give, A Novel by Alisha Fernandez Miranda (Where Philanthropy Meets Fiction)

In the first episode, I.G.'s Carlos Miranda and Rachel Stephenson Sheff chat with Alfonsina Peñaloza, a Programme Officer at the Hewlett Foundation. They discuss how best to approach major foundations for funding, how to talk about mistakes, and what goes into a fantastic grantee-programme officer relationship. You'll also learn what her favourite Beatle's song is, what Hogwarts house she would belong to, and much more.

Alfonsina Peñaloza, The Hewlett Foundation

In the second episode, I.G.‘s Alisha Miranda and Rachel Stephenson Sheff chat with Lynne and Peter Smitham, Co-Founders of The Kiawah Trust. They discuss how best to approach private trusts for funding, how to deliver a compelling pitch, and how to unlock flexible six-figure support. They also deep dive into coffee, music and superpower preferences - among much more.

Lynne & Peter Smitham, The Kiawah Trust

In the third episode, I.G.'s Emily Collins-Ellis and Rachel Stephenson Sheff chat with Adam Askew from Comic Relief. They discuss how to stand out in the written application process, what makes a programme officer's life easy, and how to tell brilliant impact stories. They also deep dive into coffee vs. tea, and Britney vs. Christina (among other important questions).

Adam Askew, Comic Relief

In the fourth episode, I.G.'s Juliet Cockram Agnew and Rachel Stephenson Sheff chat with Nick Jenkins - Founder of Moonpig.com and former Dragons' Den judge. They discuss how strategic philanthropists want to really understand the issues and expect approaches to be well researched, as well as what fundraising charities can learn from entrepreneurs on Dragons' Den. They also uncover some of Nick's surprising language skills (which you won't want to miss).

Nick Jenkins of Dragons' Den

In the fifth episode, I.G.'s Carlos Miranda and Rachel Stephenson Sheff chat with Jennifer Alcorn and Emily Inslee of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. They discuss the internal decision-making structures at Gates, the qualities of a dream fundraiser, the importance of complete honesty in a donor partnership, and so much more. This episode is an exclusive deep dive into the world's largest Foundation: from unrestricted vs. restricted support to Britney vs. Christina - it's the conversation no fundraiser should miss.

Jennifer Alcorn and Emily Inslee, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

In the ninth episode - recorded live with a studio audience - I.G.'s Carlos Miranda and Rachel Stephenson Sheff chat with Andy Bryant, Executive Director of the Segal Family Foundation. They discuss how to stand out when submitting to an open portal, fundraising from American donors, the unique characteristics of family foundations, and so much more. With a live Q&A from fundraisers (alongside our usual, irreverent questions) - this conversation is a brilliant behind-the-scenes view into the philanthropic philosophy of one of the most generous and influential international development funders.

Andy Bryant, Segal Family Foundation

In the fourteenth episode, Rachel Stephenson Sheff sits down with social justice philanthropy expert, Edgar Villanueva, to discuss 'Decolonizing Wealth' - his book that offers hopeful and compelling alternatives to the dynamics of colonisation in the philanthropic and social finance sectors. They delve into Edgar's advice on fundraising as a grant-maker and non-profit leader, explore considerations around ethical fundraising, and discuss the unique role of non-profits in decolonisation. Edgar has undoubtedly shaken up the social impact space on both sides of the pond, and has given us all a lot to think about. Have a listen and let us know what you think!

Edgar Villanueva, Decolonizing Wealth

In the seventeenth episode, Alisha Miranda and Rachel Stephenson Sheff chat with Sara Elisa Miller, Director of Philanthropy and Special Projects at 5000 Broadway Productions – production company of the one and only Lin-Manuel Miranda. We’re often asked by our charity and non-profit clients about the role of celebrity talent in fundraising and advocacy, and how organisations can strategically engage high-profile people in their work. We were thrilled to explore this topic with Sara on the show – trusted collaborator and philanthropic advisor to one of the most A-list, philanthropically engaged celebrities in the world. Let us know your thoughts (and also your favourite Hamilton song)!

Sara Elisa Miller, Miranda Family Fund

In the nineteenth episode, Rachel Stephenson Sheff and Jasmine Awad chat with Philippa Charles (Director) and Flora Craig (Head of Grants) from the Garfield Weston Foundation. No stranger to UK fundraisers, Garfield Weston is a family-founded, charitable grant-making Foundation, which supports a wide range of causes across the country, donating over £70 million annually - and this is episode is an exclusive, behind-the-scenes view into its grant-making processes. Philippa and Flora share tangible recommendations for anyone applying - including what they look for in a written proposal, what makes a successful in-person meeting, and how the team works with the Board to make decisions. Listen to find out more (including Philippa and Flora's superpowers, favourite movies and other important insights)!

Philippa Charles & Flora Craig, Garfield Weston Foundation

In the twenty-seventh episode, Rachel Stephenson Sheff and Jasmine Awad dive into the world of corporate impact with Katy Goodrich, Customer Success Director and Social Impact Team Lead at Adobe UK. 

Adobe, of course, is the American multinational computer software company responsible for Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere and Illustrator, among many other things. Adobe gives back in several different ways, and Katy provides an illuminating behind-the-scenes view into Adobe's impactful approach. On the show, we explore shared-value partnerships, employee volunteering and the dos and don'ts of partnership working - debunking the many misconceptions around corporate fundraising for charities of all sizes. 

P.S. Have any burning questions for a future What Donors Want guest? Submit them here and you’ll get a shout out on air! https://bit.ly/3cLYGea

Katy Goodrich, Adobe

In the twenty-eighth episode, Alisha Miranda and Emily Collins-Ellis chat with the legendary Richard Curtis. He is, of course, the BAFTA and Emmy award winning film writer and director, responsible for classics such as Notting Hill, Bridget Jones’ Diary and Love Actually - but films are just one part of his life. In the other half, Richard is a philanthropic leader, responsible for co-founding Comic Relief, leading the SDG-focused Project Everyone, and launching the ethical pension investment campaign Make My Money Matter. Richard has done so much for the social impact space, and is a passionate advocate for many causes. We dive into all of this with him on show and more (+ the ultimate speed round question: Hugh Grant or Colin Firth)?
P.S. Have any burning questions for a future What Donors Want guest? Submit them here and you’ll get a shout out on air! https://bit.ly/3cLYGea

Richard Curtis, Filmmaker & Comic Relief

In the twenty-ninth episode, Rachel Stephenson Sheff and Gaby Cervera chat with Hannah Paterson, a Senior Portfolio Manager at the UK's National Lottery Community Fund. The Community Fund is one of the largest funders in the UK and distributes £600m+ a year to communities across the country, raised by players of The National Lottery itself. Our conversation with Hannah dives into all of this and more - including Hannah's passion for, and expertise in, participatory grant-making. 

Part of Hannah's role is to iterate and test participatory approaches across the National Lottery, and share best practices on how to operationalise this theory across the sector. Last year she was also the recipient of a Churchill Fellowship from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, which enabled her to explore participatory grant-making in South Africa and the US. This episode is a must listen for fundraisers who are curious about how to navigate this new model - and for funders who are curious about how to implement it.

If you have any questions for Hannah, you can reach out to her directly (Hannah.Paterson@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk). We also recommend reading her brilliant Medium blog (https://hannah-paterson.medium.com/) and listening to What Donors Want episode #21 featuring the With and For Girls Collective.

As well, we're thrilled to announce our new Media Partner, Alliance Magazine! Head to their website https://www.alliancemagazine.org/ for lots of really interesting, progressive philanthropic insights. Plus, you can get a 25% discount on an Alliance subscription by using the code ‘WhatDonorsWant’ at checkout. 

P.S. Have any burning questions for a future What Donors Want guest? Submit them here and you’ll get a shout out on air! https://bit.ly/3cLYGea

Hannah Paterson, Participatory Grant-Making at the National Lottery Community Fund

In the thirtieth episode, Carlos Miranda and Rachel Stephenson Sheff speak with David Simas – CEO of the Obama Foundation – about all things related to philanthropy, politics and democracy. 

The Obama Foundation, of course, is the philanthropic legacy of former US President and former First Lady, Barack and Michelle Obama – and its mission is to inspire, empower and connect people to change their world. David leads the Foundation's core programmes, and works closely with the Obamas on strategy and vision. 

David has had an incredible career prior to leading the Foundation – he joined the Obama Administration in 2009 as a Deputy Assistant to the President, served as Director of Opinion Research for President Obama’s re-election in 2012, and following the re-election, returned to the White House as Assistant to the President, and Director of the Office of Political Strategy and Outreach. As you'll quickly hear, David is a brilliant storyteller and partnership-building expert (and 70s pop culture fan), and there are so many gems of advice you won't want to miss.

This episode is generously sponsored by Segal Family Foundation, and our Media Partner is Alliance Magazine. Head to https://www.alliancemagazine.org/ for lots of interesting, progressive philanthropic insights. Plus, you can get a 25% discount on an Alliance subscription by using the code ‘WhatDonorsWant’ at checkout.

P.S. Have any burning questions for a future What Donors Want guest? Submit them here and you’ll get a shout out on air! https://bit.ly/3cLYGea

David Simas, The Obama Foundation

In the thirty-first episode, Emily Collins-Ellis and Rachel Stephenson Sheff speak with zohra moosa - Executive Director of Mama Cash - about all things related to feminism, fundraising and activism.

In 1983, Mama Cash became the first international women’s fund; what began as a small-scale - but incredibly visionary - initiative of five lesbian feminists around a kitchen table in Amsterdam, has since grown into one of the largest public funds that supports the rights of women, girls, trans people and intersex people around the world. Their slogan “Because Feminist Activism Works” says it all - Mama Cash mobilises resources from individuals and institutions, and makes grants to self-led, feminist organisations around the world. Mama Cash also helps to build the partnerships and networks needed to successfully defend and advance their rights.

zohra is a passionate feminist activist who has been working with Mama Cash since 2013, and she is also the co-host of Mama Cash’s brilliant podcast, Tea With Mama Cash, which we highly recommend. She shares so much brilliant advice on this episode, and it must be said - gives the best answer to the ultimate speed round question: Beyoncé or Destiny's Child?

This episode is generously sponsored by Segal Family Foundation, and our Media Partner is Alliance Magazine. Head to https://www.alliancemagazine.org/ for lots of interesting, progressive philanthropic insights. Plus, you can get a 25% discount on an Alliance subscription by using the code ‘WhatDonorsWant’ at checkout.

P.S. Have any burning questions for a future What Donors Want guest? Submit them here and you’ll get a shout out on air! https://bit.ly/3cLYGea

zohra moosa, Mama Cash

In the thirty-fourth episode, Rachel Stephenson Sheff and Jasmine Awad speak with Ximena Andión Ibañez, Programme Officer for Mexico and Central America at the Ford Foundation. Today’s episode is a special one because not only did we have a fantastic conversation with Ximena about all things fundraising and philanthropy, but we also announced the release of I.G.’s latest free sector resource: the Field Guide to Relationship-Based Fundraising. 

The Ford Foundation is of course the well-known US-based private foundation with the mission of advancing human welfare and supporting diversity, equality, and inclusion globally. It stewards a $13.7 billion endowment – one of the wealthiest private endowments in the world - and makes $500 million in global grants each year. 

In 2020, I.G. partnered with the Foundation to develop the Field Guide to Relationship-Based Fundraising: a completely free, interactive resource aimed at organisations of every size wanting to create a realistic, bespoke fundraising strategy that leverages existing assets to grow and diversify their income. The Guide is available for free download at https://www.fundraisingfieldguide.org/.

This episode is generously sponsored by Segal Family Foundation, and our Media Partner is Alliance Magazine. Head to https://www.alliancemagazine.org/ for lots of interesting, progressive philanthropic insights. Plus, you can get a 25% discount on an Alliance subscription by using the code ‘WhatDonorsWant’ at checkout.

P.S. Have any burning questions for a future What Donors Want guest? Submit them here and you’ll get a shout out on air! https://bit.ly/3cLYGea

Ximena Andión Ibañez, The Ford Foundation

What Donors Want - a podcast by I.G. Advisors - features a series of thought-provoking conversations on the state of our beautiful, yet in many ways broken,  non-profit sector. We want to collectively imagine solutions to the things that keep us up at night, and inspire more progressive practices and ways of collaborating. This podcast is part of I.G.'s mission to #FixTheFlow of resources for good.

I.G. Advisors

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