In reflecting on women’s history month, I have been thinking a lot about my grandmother. She was a guiding light for me and my sister. She personified grace, intellectual curiosity and selflessness. Her conversations with us revolved around current events and community needs. She encouraged me and my sister to think critically, to speak our […]

One thing is abundantly clear, we are living in the middle of major economic and policy disruption affecting the nonprofit sector which ties directly into the philanthropic community. Everyday, I look at the news and learn about new policy changes impacting our sector and corresponding legal action. How do you make sense of it all […]

Why does Due Diligence matter? Building a strategic nonprofit portfolio requires more than just selecting causes that resonate with personal values. To ensure long-term impact, donors must conduct thoughtful due diligence to assess whether organizations are well-governed, financially stable, and delivering meaningful results. A strong philanthropic strategy is built on informed decision-making—one that goes beyond […]

Philanthropy is most effective when guided by strategy, intentionality, and a deep understanding of the organizations being supported. For philanthropists looking to maximize their impact, curating a well-rounded nonprofit portfolio is essential. Imagine a funnel—there are thousands of local nonprofits working to make the world a better place. Creating a strategic philanthropic portfolio requires funders […]

As a philanthropist, you have the exhilarating opportunity to maximize your impact with your charitable dollars, your time and your connections. Early on in the planning phase, you may consider: Should I focus on a specific issue or a specific place to drive my philanthropic efforts? Or maybe it is a combination of the two. […]

When natural disasters like Hurricane Helene strike, the devastation can be overwhelming. Communities face displacement, businesses suffer losses, and infrastructure can be crippled. In times like these, companies have a unique opportunity to step up, providing crucial resources and leadership in disaster response and recovery efforts. An inspiring example is The Biltmore Estate’ response to […]

Regular connection with the nonprofit community is critical to being an effective philanthropist. One of the most immersive ways to be effective is to conduct site visits at nonprofit organizations. These visits provide a firsthand look at how nonprofits operate, the communities they serve, and the tangible outcomes of their programs.  Site visits can broaden […]