Connecting Family Philanthropists Across Generations

There’s a danger in making generalizations about any group of people, however, this podcast aims to share trends within the “NextGen” (Millennials and Gen z) demographic and to offer some tips on how to bridge the generation gap between the old(er) and young around philanthropic giving. This is for parents who are looking to incorporate in their adult children in a cohesive family philanthropy program and for professional advisors in financial or legal service who are looking for ways to have the conversation. It’s crucial that if multi-generational philanthropy is to be successful, we must know how to connect with each other effectively in order to harness our passion and resources, for this is the only way to make a true impact on the issues that animate us.   Guest Speaker: Stephanie Ellis-Smith is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) and has nearly 30 years experience in leading and advising high-impact individuals and organizations. She works with ultra-high net wealth and high-profile individuals and families, foundations, and corporations to enhance their giving in light of their goals and incorporate best practices in the field. Stephanie has served in multiple capacities in the social sector. She has been a non-profit founder and CEO twice, the COO of a tech-platformed B-Corp focused on employee engagement, and a foundation and non-profit trustee. She is a co-founder of Giving Gap (formerly Give Blck) and the founder and former Executive Director of the Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas (CD Forum), an organization that presents and produces lectures, readings, and performing arts events rooted in African-American culture. Prior to the CD Forum, she worked with the Jacob Lawrence Catalogue Raisonné Project, a prestigious endeavor that located, catalogued, re-photographed, and published the entire 1,100 work oeuvre of the artist in a two-volume publication.  Stephanie has a BA from UCLA and has served on numerous boards and commissions including the Washington State Arts Commission, appointed by Governor Gary Locke; the Seattle Arts Commission, appointed by Mayor Greg Nickels; and the Central Waterfront Committee, appointed by Mayor Ed Murray. She currently serves on the Seattle Art Museum’s Museum Development Authority Board (appointed by Mayor Jenny Durkan) and is on the board of the National Center for Family Philanthropy. She was appointed a Dean of Philanthropy in 2022 by The Purposeful Planning Institute. She has two young-adult children and lives in Seattle with her husband and a silly Doberman named Heidi. Host: John A. Warnick, Esq., Founder, Purposeful Planning Institute