From Both Sides of the Check, Featuring Debra Jacobs, President and CEO at The Patterson Foundation

"From Both Sides of the Check" is a podcast mini-series as part of The Patterson Foundation's Beyond The Blog podcast. In this week's episode, we interview Debra Jacobs, President and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. Through “From Both Sides of the Check,” we explore what it’s like to work in the philanthropic sector through conversations with people now working at foundations who have worked on both the funder and nonprofit sides. The goal of the podcast series is that these conversations are instructive for people on both sides of the check and helpful in illuminating a path forward for even stronger collaboration in the philanthropic sector so we can drive even more impact.Key Podcast ThemesPhilanthropic collaborationFunder-nonprofit relationshipsPower dynamicsTrust-based philanthropyFundraising“Hiring empathy”Timestamps - Debra Jacobs00:00 - 00:31 Introduction00:31 - 02:38 Debra’s Role and Defining Success in her Role02:38 - 05:16 Debra’s Previous Roles05:16 - 10:55 Nonprofit Experience Informing Foundation Perspective10:55 - 12:13 Favorite Part about her Role12:13 - 13:17 Least Favorite Part about her Role13:17 - 14:40 Focusing on Excellence and Shared Aspirations to Bridge Differences14:40 - 18:00 What Debra Wishes she Knew about Funders when she was at a Nonprofit18:00 - 20:12 What Debra Wishes Funders Knew about Nonprofits20:12 - 24:24 How to Build Trust and Break through the Power Dynamic24:24 - 26:41 What more Nonprofits should Know about Funders26:41 - 31:00 Dream Partnership31:00 - 32:11 Privilege to Serve, Take it Seriously, Joyful Stewardship32:11 - End ClosingSoundbite recommendation: Seeking alignment through fundraising and 3 questions to always ask prospective funders 14:58-16:38Join The Journey