Level Up: Helping Funders Give More, Faster - with Jodeen Olguín-Tayler, CHANGE Philanthropy

Synopsis:In this episode, you’ll learn about a current organizing effort to get institutional funders to ‘level up’ their giving in response to attacks on nonprofits and communities. Host Rusty Stahl speaks with Jodeen Olguín-Tayler (CHANGE Philanthropy) about the Level Up campaign and its three-part pledge, in which funders agree to (1) increase giving for at least two years; (2) move money quickly and equitably to support 'frontline' communities; and (3) share how the commitments are put into practice.The conversation also explores why increased payout rates matter right now; the role of donor advised funds; protecting racial justice grantmaking; and how funders can learn from one another to overcome internal barriers and turn commitments into action. This Season 10 premiere is an installment of our Defend Nonprofits, Defend Democracy Series. In a companion episode (S10:E2) next week, Brenda Solarzano shares why The California Endowment signed the Level Up pledge, and how its moving money in response to the current crisis.Download transcript .pdf: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZpRvZ_zQQQkPSyX9t4FL0Uka0OcQgcAP/view?usp=sharingGuest Bio:Jodeen Olguín-Tayler (she/ella) is Director of Programs and Campaigns at CHANGE Philanthropy, where she supports the Level Up Campaign. Jodeen has served in executive roles in philanthropy, business, and nonprofits for over 20 years with a focus on democracy and an economy rooted in racial and gender equity. Her board service has included Movement Voter Fund, Poder Latinx, Chicana Empowerment Fund, Inclusive Democracy and Climate Equity Fund, and Movement Strategy Center. Her staff leadership has included the National Domestic and MoveOn. Full bio: https://changephilanthropy.org/about/team.Essential Links:Level Up Campaign: http://levelupphilanthropy.orgLevel Up Campaign email: [email protected] Philanthropy: https://changephilanthropy.org/Fund the People: http://fundthepeople.orgFund the People Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/fund-the-people  Fund the People Podcast Premium on Patreon: http://patreon.com/fundthepeople Key Resources from the Episode:Racial Equity Advancement and Defense Initiative: https://www.abfe.org/racial-equity-advancement-and-defense-initiative-readiFree Your Donor Advised Fund (DAF) website: http://freeyourdaf.orgCHANGE Philanthropy Member Organizations:Asian American Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP): https://aapip.orgABFE - A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities: https://www.abfe.orgEmerging Practitioners in Philanthropy: https://www.epip.orgFunders for LGBTQ Issues: https://lgbtfunders.orgHispanics in Philanthropy: https://hipfunds.orgNative Americans in Philanthropy: https://nativephilanthropy.orgNational Committee for Responsive Philanthropy: https://ncrp.orgNeighborhood Funders Group: https://nfg.orgPhilanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity: https://racialequity.org Women’s Funding Network: https://www.womensfundingnetwork.orgRelevant FTP Podcast Episodes:How Nonprofits Fight Back Against Today’s Biggest Federal Threats w/ Sarah Saadian, National Council of Nonprofits (S9 Summer Bonus, 07.08.26) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-nonprofits-fight-back-against-todays-biggest-federal/id1531813289?i=1000775935067‘Silence Isolates, Solidarity Shields’ w/ Tonya Allen, McKnight Foundation (S8:E07, 11.05.25) - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/silence-isolates-solidarity-shields-with-tonya-allen/id1531813289?i=100073541767Meet the Moment: A Call to Action for Funders w/ Shaady Salehi, Trust-Based Philanthropy Project (S7:E17, 04.02.25) - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-the-moment-a-call-to-action-for-funders/id1531813289?i=1000701886889Want additional relevant episodes? Add our Defend Nonprofits, Defend Democracy Playlist to your Spotify library: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/45UnbWYeqzDY9U2DVWDcHm?si=_KJDjjPpSIKNUdiUIhuDnA