Do Your Good

Denis Hayes, Chairman and President at Bullitt Foundation, returns to share the strategies he implemented for effective grantmaking. Denis explains the importance of legitimacy in philanthropic decision-making, the value of diverse board representation, and how focusing efforts geographically and strategically helped the foundation create a significant impact. Denis also provides insights on the decision to spend down and offers advice for future philanthropists on how to make meaningful, long-lasting contributions to causes they care about.{You can hear the full episode on Monday, November 4th}

Geneva Wiki, a Yurok Nation citizen and a Senior Program Manager at the California Endowment, joins Sybil to bring her extensive leadership experience in Tribal government, education, and philanthropy in rural and indigenous communities. She has many important tips and wisdom on being an effective philanthropist when giving to indigenous communities. {You can hear the full Episode on Monday, July 15th}

Dr. Bruce Lourie explains why the Ivy Foundation has chosen to spend down and how they are approaching climate change issues in Canada. He discusses strategies for creating maximum impact during a spend down. Episode Highlights:Bruce’s journey into philanthropyThe reasons why a foundation might decide to spend downKey strategies to use during a spend downDr. Bruce Lourie Bio:Dr. Lourie is one of Canada’s most influential leaders and experts on climate change and the transition to a net-zero economy. Best known for his ability to rethink climate problems and develop solutions that benefit both the economy and the environment, he has been instrumental in creating more than a dozen organizations that play a critical role in Canada’s transition to a net-zero economy, including Canadian Climate Institute, the Institute for Sustainable Finance, Farmers for Climate Solutions, Efficiency Canada and The Transition Accelerator. His focus at Ivey Foundation is the Economy and Environment program, which provides funding to these net-zero focused organizations, among others. He also liaises with government, industry, ENGOs and the business community to ensure Canada achieves net-zero by 2050 while remaining economically competitive.An engaging and lively spokesperson, Dr. Lourie has a unique ability to translate complex issues into timely and actionable information in both print and broadcast interviews alike and has been interviewed by most major Canadian news outlets. Dr. Lourie is also an experienced and in demand speaker, and has spoken at events such as Global Salmon Initiative’s COP26 Panel, The Trottier Symposium and the 2021 Calgary Climate Symposium, where he gave the keynote address.In addition to his influential role in pushing Canada towards net-zero by 2050, Dr. Lourie also initiated the largest climate action in North America, the phasing out of coal in Ontario, and helped shepherd the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement and establishment of the Ontario Greenbelt. He is also the co-author of two books, Toxin Toxout and Slow Death By Rubber Duck, an international bestseller. Dr. Lourie holds a Ph.D examining the intersection of risk, science and policy.Links:Ivey Foundation: https://www.ivey.orgCalifornia Endowment https://www.calendow.org/Report: Building Healthy Communities: A Decade in Review November 2020:   https://www.calendow.org/app/uploads/2021/04/The_California_Endowment_Decade_In_Review_2010_2020_Executive_Report.pdfIf you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:      https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/68-when-a-donor-is-inspired-to-end-injustice/id1556900518?i=1000579747934         https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/109-why-do-people-give-with-sybil-fred-ackerman-munson/id1556900518?i=1000591308554         https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/119-sybil-speaks-to-spend-down-or-not-to-spend-down/id1556900518?i=1000602925722Crack the Code: Sybil’s Successful Guide to PhilanthropyBecome even better at what you do as Sybil teaches you the strategies and tools you’ll need to avoid mistakes and make a career out of philanthropy.Sybil offers resources including free mini-course videos, templates, checklists, and words of advice summarized in easy to review pdfs.    https://www.doyourgood.com/funders Check out Sybil’s website with all the latest opportunities to learn from Sybil at https://www.doyourgood.comConnect with Do Your Goodhttps://www.facebook.com/doyourgoodhttps://www.instagram.com/doyourgoodWould you like to talk with Sybil directly?Send in your inquiries through her website https://www.doyourgood.com/ or you can email her directly at [email protected].

John Esterle joins us in this rerun episode to explore ways a foundation can incorporate elements of trust-based philanthropy within its giving strategy.{You can hear the full episode on Monday, May 27th}

This Sybil Speaks episode kicks off Season 4. Over the summer Sybil will be revisiting some of her favorite interviews from the past 150 plus episodes. She will be highlighting specific themes and issues based on your feedback. She will also add new ideas at the start of each episode to get you thinking even more deeply about how to be the best donors you can be, and to continue to make your money matter. {You can hear the full episode on Monday May 13th}

Tony DeFalco joins us to share his experience as a seasoned nonprofit professional with over thirty years of experience in grantmaking and fundraising. He shares his positive experiences with donors (what you all as donors do well) and the trends he notices in the nonprofit field. Tony shares his journey from working in environmental justice advocacy to his current role as Executive Director of Latino Network. {You can hear the full episode on Monday May 6th}

In this Sybil Speaks episode, Sybil answers the question of when donors should consider hiring an expert to help with their giving strategy, versus when to go it alone. Sybil draws from her experience and recent client interactions to help you decide if you would benefit from using an intermediary as a guide in your giving strategy. She highlights the role of intermediaries in facilitating effective communication, leveraging funds, and driving collaborative efforts among donors and nonprofits. {You can hear the full episode on Monday March 4th}

In this Sybil Speaks episode, Sybil shares lessons learned from nonprofit leaders about good giving strategies. Sybil talks about how to avoid the challenges brought about by donor-nonprofit power dynamics and common misunderstandings between both parties. Sybil also shares positive examples of Nonprofit-Donor relations. {You can hear the full episode on January 29th}

For Indigenous People’s Day, we are re-playing a conversation with Eric Stegman. Eric joins us to encourage donors to consider framing, ensuring we confidently approach talks from a place of strength. Cultural authority, hereditary knowledge, and other forms of wisdom are all on the table. Eric explains how to begin your relationship in such a way that Native communities will want to collaborate with you. {You can hear the full episode on Monday, November 6th}

Fred is excited to join Sybil today to discuss budgets and finances. Donors often do a good job at asking for very specific and detailed project proposals but then fail to be equally specific in their financial and budget requests. They discuss how to focus your request for the nonprofit’s financial information that aligns with your proposal request. This way you won’t have the nonprofit doing busywork. It is crucial to carefully consider the financial stability and potential of a nonprofit before donating, but unnecessary to ask for too much irrelevant financial information that you may not even use in your actual decision to fund the organization.{You can hear the full episode on Monday, August 21st}

Jim Enote joins Sybil for a Special Bonus Episode. He shares what he has been doing since his last appearance on the podcast, and then shares his wisdom for those who want to give to indigenous communities.  Jim explains how to give in a righteous way that  equality, fairness, and respect. {You can hear the full episode on Monday, May 22nd}

How can we successfully leverage public funds as private donors? Peter Stangel joins Sybil and explains how to distribute funds in the right places, and how donors can strategically use their dollars to strategically leverage public funds and maximize impact. {You can hear the full episode on Monday, May 15th}

This month's focus is on leveraging your private dollar with public funding and support. Today we are replaying an interview with Meta Loftsgaarden who shares her experience leveraging public funding with private donations to make the world a better place. In addition to the amazing work Meta does right now with the Mount Hood National Forest, Meta previously ran the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, which is a great example of a partnership between public and private partnerships that are essential for durable programs that do good in society. {You can hear the full episode on May 8th}