Business of Giving

When Marika Anthony-Shaw was touring with Arcade Fire, the band started adding a single dollar to every concert ticket—sending the proceeds to Partners in Health's work in Haiti. Night after night, that simple gesture grew from $3,000 to $10,000 per show. Over nine years, they contributed more than $2.5 million without asking anyone for money. The question became: Why isn't everybody doing this?That question launched PLUS1, an organization that's now embedded philanthropy into the architecture of live events. Today, Marika leads a movement that has raised over $32 million for more than a thousand nonprofits—not by disrupting the concert experience, but by making generosity a seamless part of it. As she puts it:Join us as Marika shares how PLUS1 is changing the way an entire industry thinks about giving—and how every dollar invested in their model unlocks $21 in grants to communities that need it most.It's Marika Anthony-Shaw on The Business of Giving.

Plinio Ayala didn't just leave the South Bronx of the 1970s and ‘80s—he returned to it with a blueprint for economic mobility that's now reshaping workforce development across America.As President and CEO of Per Scholas, Plinio leads a tech training nonprofit that's placed over 25,000 graduates into careers earning three times their previous income. But here's what sets him apart: while most nonprofits shrink from rigorous evaluation, Plinio embraces randomized controlled trials. While foundation funding tightens, he's building corporate investment as his primary growth engine. And while AI disrupts every sector, he's racing to future-proof America's workforce—one 15-week bootcamp at a time.Today, we explore how Per Scholas is creating more of those opportunities—and why Plinio won't scale without data, won't compromise performance for growth, and won't accept that talent development is someone else's problem—it's ours to solve together.

Anne Filipic is the CEO of  Share Our Strength and leads its No Kid Hungry campaign at a moment when childhood hunger in America has reached alarming new heights. With one in five children—nearly 14 million kids—now facing food insecurity, Anne brings both urgency and strategic clarity to a crisis that touches every community in the country.In this conversation, she reveals how recent policy rollbacks have reversed hard-won progress, why the cancellation of federal hunger data threatens our ability to learn and respond, and what it will take to make federal nutrition programs actually work for the families they're designed to serve.Join us for a conversation about practical solutions, innovative partnerships, and the political will required to ensure no child in America goes hungry.

Welcome to The Business of Giving. I'm Denver Frederick.Right now, in fields across dozens of countries, there's an invisible race happening. On one side: curious children wandering into what looks like empty farmland. On the other: teams of specialists working meter by painstaking meter to find what's buried there first.Today we're joined by Darren Cormack, CEO of the Mines Advisory Group—an organization born from witnessing the devastating aftermath of conflict in 1980s Afghanistan. MAG has since become a driving force behind the global movement to ban landmines, co-founding the International Campaign that earned the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize.With 80% of landmine casualties being civilians—nearly half of them children—Darren's teams operate in some of the world's most dangerous territories. Recently honored with the 2025 Hilton Humanitarian Prize, he brings hard-won insights about innovation, leadership, and what it takes to build hope in the shadow of war.Join us for this compelling conversation about courage, community, and the delicate art of clearing the path to peace.

Picture this: You're selling your old phone on eBay when a single click offers you the chance to send wildfire relief to LA. No forms, no guilt trip, no second-guessing—just pure impulse-to-impact conversion. You might do it without thinking twice.If you did, congratulations—you just participated in the $4 billion revolution Nick Aldridge has been quietly building for 18 years. While the nonprofit world obsesses over donor retention rates and capital campaign thermometers, Aldridge placed a different bet: What if generosity could be so frictionless that people do it almost by accident?The gamble paid off spectacularly. PayPal Giving Fund has moved money to 227,000 charities by embedding charitable giving into the mundane moments of digital life—not by creating new donors, but by catching generous impulses before they evaporate.Nick reveals why the gap between wanting to help and actually helping isn't about money or motivation—it's about the three extra clicks nobody wants to make.Join us to explore how removing friction unleashes generosity at unprecedented scale.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Edgar Sandoval arrived in the United States with just $50 in his pocket, unable to speak English, carrying only his American passport and an unshakeable determination. Today, he leads World Vision, one of the world's largest humanitarian organizations, serving 100 countries and reaching millions of the most vulnerable children globally. From corporate boardrooms at Procter & Gamble—where he helped transform the meaning of “like a girl” from insult to compliment—to the remote villages of Kenya, Edgar's journey reveals how divine calling can redirect a comfortable life toward extraordinary purpose. His leadership has revolutionized World Vision's approach, flipping traditional sponsorship models and launching the organization's most ambitious campaign yet: reaching 300 million people by 2030. In this conversation, Edgar shares how childhood memories of poverty, corporate innovation lessons, and unwavering faith converge to create massive humanitarian impact. It's Edgar Sandoval on The Business of Giving.

What if the secret to changing the world isn't buried in your bank account, but hidden in talents you've never fully recognized?Today we welcome John Studzinski—a financier who survived a near-fatal car crash that killed nine others, a philanthropist who's discovered over 5,000 emerging artists, and author of the revolutionary new book A Talent for Giving: Creating a More Generous Society That Benefits Everyone.For six decades, John has shattered philanthropy's elitist barriers with a radical truth: every person possesses world-changing abilities, regardless of wealth or status. As founder of the Genesis Foundation, he's built a movement that rejects checkbook philanthropy for something far more powerful—authentic human connection and hidden talent unleashed.This conversation will revolutionize how you see giving—and yourself.It's John Studzinski on The Business of Giving.

What started as a solo trek through Nepal's earthquake-devastated Langtang Valley became a global movement connecting adventure with authentic impact. Today we're joined by Candice Young, founder of Trek Relief, an organization that transforms travelers into changemakers through community-led projects across the world's most remote regions.From installing solar panels in Peru to rebuilding schools in Nepal, Trek Relief has completed 28 trips across multiple countries, creating a unique model where participants don't just witness need—they actively address it alongside local communities. What makes their approach different? Every project emerges from what communities actually request, not what outsiders assume they need.Join us as Candice shares how one moment of witness became a decade of purposeful travel that's changing lives on both sides of the journey.

Few organizations have redefined what activism looks like in the 21st century more than Global Citizen—a movement that began with three high school friends in Australia and has now mobilized millions of people worldwide, leveraging over $49 billion in commitments that have impacted 1.3 billion lives. At the center of this extraordinary transformation is Hugh Evans, Co-Founder and CEO of Global Citizen.Hugh was inspired by Nelson Mandela's revolutionary declaration that overcoming poverty “is not a gesture of charity, but it's an act of justice.” From securing $250 million from Norway's Prime Minister through a strategic Twitter invasion to pioneering the use of music festivals as diplomatic summits, Global Citizen has cracked the code on making world leaders accountable to the world's most vulnerable.In today's conversation, Hugh reveals how technology, focus, and relentless innovation are reshaping the fight against extreme poverty.It's Hugh Evans on The Business of Giving.

Picture this: You're sitting in an empty Red Cross blood donation center, knowing that premium streaming content worth millions go unused while nonprofits everywhere struggle to afford basic advertising. That lightbulb moment launched Kris Johns from adtech executive to nonprofit revolutionary, founding AdGood—a 501(c)(3) that's rewriting the rules of television advertising for organizations changing the world.With partnerships spanning A+E Global Media to LG, AdGood has unlocked access to 1.5 billion monthly impressions across 1,000+ channels, offering nonprofits something unthinkable: premium Connected TV advertising at 70% off market rates. But here's the kicker—their AI-powered platform can create broadcast-quality 30-second video ads in under four minutes, democratizing professional creative for organizations with $250 budgets.Today, discover why Kris believes this isn't just about cheaper ads—it's about fundamentally transforming nonprofit marketing. And now for my conversation with Kris Johns, the CEO and Founder of AdGood.

Picture this:  A young lawyer with $3,500 from a church committee and an audacious dream to fix what seemed unfixable—the fact that when development projects failed in low-income communities, they left “a hole in the ground for the next 30 years.”That lawyer was Elyse Cherry, and today she's the CEO of BlueHub Capital, having turned that modest start into a staggering $20 billion in community transformation across 42 states. But here's what makes her story remarkable: she's never forgotten that first lesson about standing “at the intersection of downtown and community.”You'll hear how BlueHub's game-changing SUN initiative has prevented nearly 1,250 foreclosures while injecting $67 million back into communities.It's Elyse Cherry on The Business of Giving.

What happens when you realize your values guide only half a percent of your wealth while the other 99.5% operates by completely different principles? You become what Sharon Schneider calls an “Integrator.”As founder of Integrated Capital Strategies and author of “Handbook for an Integrated Life,” Sharon works with ultra-wealthy families who've grown tired of the schizophrenic dance between making money and doing good. Her journey began at Foundation Source, where she helped families perfect their charitable giving while watching their investment portfolios—often 20 times larger—fund the very industries their foundations were fighting against.Today's hyperconnected world has made this contradiction impossible to ignore. When your phone shows you exactly who made your t-shirt and your coastal property insurance rates explode due to climate disasters, the old two-pocket system stops making sense.Today, she reveals how Integrators are rewriting the rules of wealth. It's Sharon Schneider on the Business of Giving.

Welcome to The Business of Giving. I'm Denver Frederick, and today we're joined by Michele Jawando, President of the Omidyar Network. Michele's journey has taken her from Capitol Hill to Google to one of philanthropy's most forward-looking technology ventures, giving her a rare perspective as both builder and translator — connecting policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society.At a moment when AI is reshaping work, childhood, and connection itself, she's leading an ambitious effort to “hardwire humanity into technology,” ensuring that dignity, fairness, and inclusion are embedded in our digital future.We'll discuss AI companions and children, why 18-year-olds should help design the digital future, and how philanthropy can shift tech's incentives toward human flourishing. It's Michele Jawando on The Business of Giving.

The nonprofit sector is hemorrhaging talent—10,000 full-time jobs vanished in the first 70 days of 2025. While many leaders wait for the storm to pass, Nancy Murphy, CEO of CSR Communications, has a blunt reality check: the storm isn't passing. It's the new weather.Nancy has spent her career helping nonprofits navigate disruption and developed the sector's first objective measure of board change readiness. Her diagnosis is stark—leaders are clinging to outdated models while the ground shifts beneath their feet.For the past five years or so, we've been living in what a futurist calls the BANI world– brittle, anxious, non-linear, and incomprehensible. And we know that the pace and volume of change will never again be as slow or as small as it is today, if you can believe that.Today, discover why waiting for stability could be fatal—and what change-ready organizations do differently when crisis strikes.

Welcome to The Business of Giving. I'm Denver Frederick, and today we're joined by Ryan Dewey Smith, founder and leader of Inperium, one of the most expansive nonprofit networks in the country. Operating across 20 states, Inperium has pioneered a revolutionary affiliation model that's transforming how nonprofits achieve sustainability and scale. Ryan started Inperium nearly a decade ago when he recognized that traditional nonprofit structures were failing organizations serving our most vulnerable populations. Through innovative sole-member affiliations, tax-exempt municipal bond financing, and even nonprofit employee stock ownership programs, Inperium is rewriting the playbook for nonprofit collaboration. This is a conversation about the future of sustainability in the social sector.

What if the key to solving urban poverty isn't creating new programs, but matching proven solutions with communities that need them most? Ali Knight, CEO of GreenLight Fund, joins us to discuss a revolutionary approach that's quietly transformed cities across America for two decades. From his journey as a “latchkey kid” in New York City to leading a national organization that's invested over $40 million in community solutions, Ali reveals how patience and discipline created lasting change.  That ambitious vision is attracting mayors, nonprofit leaders, and funders nationwide who are hungry for solutions that actually work—and it's reshaping how philanthropy approaches urban poverty one city at a time. It's Ali Knight of the GreenLight Fund on The Business of Giving.

Welcome to The Business of Giving. Today, we're examining America's animal welfare crisis with someone who's been fighting it for over a decade.Cathy Bissell founded the BISSELL Pet Foundation in 2011, evolving from local shelter fundraising into a national force. Their programs have found homes for 17,000 pets in a single event and performed over 120,000 spay and neuter procedures this year alone.But behind these numbers is a deeper crisis—rising costs and housing restrictions leaving shelters overcrowded and families heartbroken.Today, Cathy will share how systematic thinking can solve seemingly impossible problems—and why she believes the time to help animals is right now.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

What happens when you inherit billions to give away, but the weight of that responsibility threatens to define you more than your own dreams? And how do you honor a grandfather who was simultaneously the “father of fracking” and one of America's most passionate environmentalists?Welcome to The Business of Giving. I'm your host, Denver Frederick. Today we examine next-generation philanthropy with Katherine Lorenz, Executive Director of the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation and co-founder of the Giving Pledge Next Gen initiative.Katherine's family preserved decades of intimate conversations with her grandparents—a treasure trove of philanthropic wisdom. But her path wasn't predetermined. Working with indigenous farming communities in the mountains of Oaxaca, she experienced a revelation that would reshape everything.This is a conversation about wrestling with paradox, building authentic peer networks, and discovering that sometimes the most powerful philanthropy comes from embracing life's contradictions.

A child is drowning in a pond. You're wearing an expensive suit. Do you jump in and save them? Of course you do. But philosopher Peter Singer asks the uncomfortable follow-up: If you'll ruin a $300 suit to save that child, why won't you donate that same $300 to save a child dying from malaria in Africa?Welcome to The Business of Giving. I'm Denver Frederick. Today we're exploring one of the most challenging moral arguments of our time with Peter Singer, whose simple thought experiment has fundamentally changed how we think about our obligations to strangers.Singer's philosophy forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth: if helping distant strangers is moral obligation, not charity, then most of us might be living fundamentally unethical lives.Peter reveals the Oxford moment that transformed him from graduate student to moral revolutionary, explains how effective altruism survived its biggest scandal, and shares why he believes thinking people can literally change the world.Get ready for a conversation that might just change how you see your own moral choices. This is Peter Singer on The Business of Giving.

Today we're joined by David Coman-Hidy, who leads The Navigation Fund, a $100 million philanthropic organization tackling some of the world's most pressing challenges. From his punk rock roots to running a major foundation, David brings a unique do-it-yourself mentality to philanthropy that's shaking up how we think about creating change.David will share how The Navigation Fund is moving faster than traditional foundations, why they're funding everything from AI consciousness research to youth justice reform, and what the future of philanthropy might look like when the next generation takes the reins. Let's get started.

Today I'm thrilled to have Bertina Ceccarelli, CEO of NPower, joining us from their headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. What happens when you combine military-trained problem solvers with cutting-edge cybersecurity skills? Magic. Under Bertina's leadership since 2016, NPower has scaled from $6 million to $35 million while achieving something remarkable: many of their veteran graduates are earning three to four times their military salaries within months of completing the program. But here's what makes Bertina's approach revolutionary - she sees barriers as badges of resilience. Today, we'll discover how NPower is creating AI-resilient workforces, why their corporate partnerships go far beyond traditional funding, and what happens when you treat students as whole people rather than just future employees. This is a conversation about the future of economic mobility in America. So let's get started.

What if the secret to fixing America's democracy isn't in Washington, but in neighborhood meetings and local organizing? Emma Bloomberg believes that's exactly where our civic future lies.After seven years at Robin Hood Foundation, Emma saw a critical gap: while philanthropy addressed today's crises, it couldn't prevent tomorrow's. The community organizations working to create systemic change were stuck with yellow legal pads, lacking the data tools they needed.So she founded Murmuration – named after flocks of starlings that move as one while staying individual. Her nonprofit provides cutting-edge civic engagement tools to grassroots organizations across the country, helping neighbors drive change at the block level.Today we'll explore why Emma believes real systemic change happens between elections, how she's reimagining philanthropy, and why local conversations might be our path through national polarization.This is democracy from the ground up. Stay with us.

Welcome to The Business of Giving! Today, we're thrilled to have Dr. Russell James, a trailblazing professor at Texas Tech University, renowned for his groundbreaking work in charitable giving and planned giving. With a Ph.D. in consumer economics, experience as a tax attorney, and a passion for neuroimaging, Russell blends hard data with the art of storytelling to uncover what drives generosity. In this episode, we dive into how stories, not just numbers, ignite major gifts and how fundraisers can tap into donors' life narratives to inspire impactful philanthropy.Stay tuned for a fascinating conversation that will reshape how you think about giving!

Most nonprofit boards treat technology as an operational afterthought—a cost center to manage rather than a strategic lever for mission achievement. But with AI reshaping everything, that approach isn't just outdated, it could be existential.My guest today is Alethea Hannemann, Co-founder and CEO of Board.Dev. Working alongside Aaron Hurst, she's helping nonprofit boards become more tech-fluent and values-aligned by placing senior technology leaders in governance roles and upleveling entire boards around strategic technology decision-making.In our conversation, we explore their Tech 28 framework for sparking the right conversations, how the pandemic exposed technology gaps that AI is now amplifying, and why technology choices are fundamentally about values—not just operations.Alethea also shares practical advice for nonprofit CEOs, tech executives, and funders on what each needs to do differently to build digitally fluent organizations.

When your consulting firm has guided nonprofits through a full century of giving, from the Great Depression to today's AI revolution, you develop some hard earned wisdom about what actually works. My guest, Doug Stewart, is the CEO of Marts & Lundy, the legendary fundraising consultancy celebrating its 100th anniversary next year. And after working with everyone from Ivy League universities to community arts organizations, Doug has a provocative take that challenges how most nonprofits think about fundraising. That mindset shift, from treating fundraising as a side function to making it central to everything you do, is just the beginning of our conversation.We'll dig into why Doug is telling clients to move forward with major campaigns despite unprecedented uncertainty. How the most successful nonprofits are sustaining momentum through eight year campaigns. Why he believes the middle of the donor pyramid holds untapped treasure. And his surprisingly skeptical view of AI taking over donor relationships. Plus, Doug shares the fundraising metric that most organizations completely miss and why it might be the difference between struggling with annual gifts and unlocking transformational support.Ready to discover what a century of fundraising wisdom looks like in practice? Here's my conversation with Doug Stewart.

My guest today is a bold and passionate leader guiding one of the country's most vital humanitarian organizations. Krish O'Mara Vignarajah is the President and CEO of Global Refuge, formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Under her leadership, the organization has scaled its operations dramatically while reshaping how we think about welcome, dignity, and the extraordinary resilience refugees bring to America. Today, we'll explore how Krish is transforming the refugee resettlement model, what she sees ahead in the climate migration era, and how Global Refuge is defending the soul of America—one family at a time.

My guest today is Aaron Hurst, founder of the Taproot Foundation and author of The Purpose Economy. He's spent decades helping people and organizations find deeper meaning in their work. Today, he's tackling two urgent issues: bridging the tech gap in nonprofits through Board.Dev, and strengthening civic life through the U.S. Chamber of Connection.He joins us now to reflect on the deeper threads that have guided his journey and to share what he's learning as he builds the next wave of impact.

Scott Brighton didn't set out to revolutionize charitable giving in America. But after witnessing his wife struggle to run a nonprofit with just three staff members—and discovering that charitable giving had remained stubbornly flat at 2.5% of GDP for half a century—he knew something had to change. As CEO of Bonterra, one of the social sector's most influential technology companies, Brighton is now pursuing an audacious goal: lifting charitable giving to 3% of GDP by 2033. That seemingly modest increase would double total giving, unlocking over $580 billion in new funding. But optimizing donation amounts is just one piece of Brighton's broader strategy. He's also transforming Bonterra into a “Tinder for nonprofits”—a platform that helps nonprofits and funders discover each other, then uses AI to amplify their capacity to build lasting relationships. Scott joins me now to discuss this bold vision, the surprising insights from Bonterra's latest data, and why he believes AI will be the great equalizer for resource-strapped nonprofits.

My guest today is one of Boston's most respected civic leaders and a nationally recognized voice in youth development. Robert Lewis, Jr. is the President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, where he leads a vibrant network of eight clubs and community sites serving more than 12,000 young people annually. A Club kid himself, Robert has spent his life investing in youth, building opportunity, and challenging outdated narratives about talent and potential.He brings a deeply personal, place-based approach to leadership—one grounded in love, grit, and high expectations. From health equity to workforce readiness, from cultural pride to redefining return on community, Robert Lewis is helping reshape what it means to grow up strong in Boston—and what it means to lead with heart.

When ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff was catastrophically injured in Iraq in 2006, his family made a vow: if he survived, they'd use their platform to support others returning from war without the same safety net. Nearly 20 years later, that promise lives on through the Bob Woodruff Foundation.Its CEO, Anne Marie Dougherty, has scaled that vision into a national force for connection, dignity, and service—reaching 98.5% of all U.S. veterans through a powerful network of partners.She joins us now to share the Foundation's remarkable journey—and the quiet acts of kindness that make it all work.

What does it mean to live—and lead—with clarity, restraint, and purpose? Robert Rosenkranz, a renowned investor, philanthropist, and author of The Stoic Capitalist, believes that ancient wisdom offers modern guidance—especially in how we respond to emotion. From founding a private equity firm by risking his entire net worth, to backing civil discourse through Open to Debate, to championing breakthroughs in healthspan science and immersive art, Robert offers a masterclass in rational decision-making and values-driven leadership. You'll hear why he rejects the idea of “giving back,” how he navigates risk, and why—when it comes to building a life of impact—being busy is no substitute for being thoughtful.

Few issues more urgent—or more misunderstood—than poverty in America. And even fewer solutions as bold as simply giving people cash. Jeff Atwood, the tech entrepreneur behind Stack Overflow, and his partner Betsy Burton, a trained scientist with a deep commitment to equity, are working to change that. Together, they've launched a $50 million guaranteed minimum income initiative across some of the poorest rural counties in the country—places that mirror their own family roots. In this episode, Jeff and Betsy share a story that is as personal as it is political. From the hills of West Virginia to their home in Alameda, California, they speak candidly about wealth, dignity, hope, and the American Dream. We'll explore how their own childhoods and their children have shaped their philanthropy, how storytelling is challenging tired myths about the poor, and why 2025 is the moment to rewrite the social contract in America. This is not your typical conversation about poverty—and it's not your typical couple trying to solve it. Here is Jeff Atwood and Betsy Burton on The Business of Giving.

My guest today leads an organization with one of the simplest and most powerful models in philanthropy. It's called 1% for the Planet, and the premise is this: businesses commit 1% of their annual revenue to environmental causes—and 1% for the Planet ensures those funds are directed with purpose and impact.With over 5,000 members in 60 countries and more than $750 million certified in giving, it's a movement built on clarity, trust, and community. And Kate, who found her leadership voice on a snowy mountain pass at age 18, has carried that spirit of joy, grit, and teamwork into everything she does.She joins us now to talk about movement-building, climate leadership, and the power of collective action.

This week on The Business of Giving, the focus is on one of the most distressing — and solvable — crises in America today: medical debt.Each year, millions of families are forced to choose between paying their bills and getting the care they need. But what if there were a way to erase that debt — not just for a few, but for thousands at a time?That's exactly what Undue Medical Debt does. Led by CEO Allison Sesso, the organization buys medical debt the way a for-profit company would — but instead of collecting it, they forgive it. The return on investment? For every $1 donated, $100 of medical debt is wiped away.Allison also shares how a nurse working during the pandemic found herself in medical debt at the very hospital where she worked — a stark example of how broken the system is, and why it must change.Here is my conversation with Allison Sesso, CEO of Undue Medical Debt.

My guest today believes that the greatest barrier to nonprofit fundraising success isn't money—it's clarity. Kevin L. Brown is the co-founder of Mighty Ally and the author of Fundable & Findable: The Brand-New Way to Fix Your Nonprofit Fundraising. In this conversation, Kevin explains why most organizations are stuck in a donor-chasing cycle and what it takes to become truly fundable and findable.If your organization has ever struggled to articulate why you exist or raise the resources you need, this episode may just shift your entire approach.

What if your supporters could step inside your story—feel it, not just hear it?In this episode of The Business of Giving, I speak with Chip Giller, co-founder of Agog, a groundbreaking philanthropic initiative helping nonprofits explore immersive storytelling through XR, or extended reality.  From Human Rights Watch to Harlem youth programs, Chip's work is proving that the future of nonprofit communication isn't just visual—it's emotional, embodied, and unforgettable.If you're rethinking how your organization moves hearts and drives action, this is a conversation you can't miss.

This is The Business of Giving. I'm your host, Denver Frederick. Today, we're joined by Jon Kane, President and CEO of CCS Fundraising, a global leader in strategic fundraising consulting. With a career spanning McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and his own advisory firm, Jon has tripled CCS's size since 2016, blending for-profit expertise with nonprofit impact. So let's get started with Jon Kane.

Welcome to The Business of Giving, where we explore the leaders and ideas shaping the future of social impact.Today, I'm delighted  to welcome Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO of Points of Light, the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service.Jennifer is leading a movement to double volunteerism in the United States by 2035. But her vision goes beyond numbers—it's about helping people rediscover meaning, connection, and purpose. Here's how she puts it:Get ready for a conversation about reimagining service as a cultural force that heals, unites, and transforms.

Welcome to The Business of Giving, where we spotlight the people and ideas transforming philanthropy and social impact! Today, I'm thrilled to introduce Josh Birkholz, CEO of BWF, the powerhouse consultancy that's been sparking transformative change since its iconic work on the Statue of Liberty restoration. Josh is a pioneer in data-driven fundraising strategy, co-author of BeneFactors, and one of the most influential voices championing bold, mission-first approaches in modern philanthropy.In this episode, you'll discover how to build momentum in uncertain times, leverage donor data effectively, and lead with courageous clarity—essential insights for navigating 2025's economic challenges. So Let's get started.

What if philanthropy had a profession—real credentials, ethical standards, and trusted training—just like law or finance? Right now, it doesn't. But my guest today is changing that.Dien Yuen is the founder of Daylight Advisors, and she's leading a bold effort to professionalize philanthropic advising by training 10,000 certified experts to guide donors through meaningful, values-aligned giving. In this episode Dien shares why this work is urgent—how shifting wealth, changing demographics, and donor expectations demand a new kind of advisor.We'll also explore how collaboration and coaching are unlocking the billions sitting idle in donor-advised funds. If you care about the future of giving, this conversation will open your eyes—and maybe your wallet.

What happens when the aid system meant to protect the world's most vulnerable……vanishes overnight?Earlier this year, the abrupt freeze in USAID funding sent shockwaves through the global nonprofit community. Refugee shelters closed, food distribution stopped, and hospitals ran out of medicine. But even before this crisis, one organization was quietly rewriting the rules of international philanthropy—putting power into the hands of local leaders and reimagining what aid could look like.That organization is GlobalGiving, and at its helm is Victoria Vrana, a veteran systems thinker and relentless advocate for community-led change. As the organization's CEO, she's navigating one of the most consequential disruptions to global aid in decades.I mean, shockwave is the right term. I mean, I think it's like tectonic plates in our sector have shifted really forever.In this episode, Victoria talks about the real-time impact of the funding collapse, what it reveals about the fragility of traditional aid systems, and why GlobalGiving's founding vision—connecting private capital directly to grassroots leaders—is more urgent than ever.It's a pivotal moment for the sector—and one that calls for bold leadership.

What happens when the very institutions designed to serve the public are systematically dismantled? Max Stier, President and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, has dedicated over two decades to strengthening the federal government. But recent events have posed unprecedented challenges to this mission. In this episode, Max discusses the profound impacts of recent administrative changes on federal agencies, the resilience of public servants, and the critical importance of maintaining a trustworthy and effective government. He also outlines the Partnership's adaptive strategies to continue supporting civil servants and engaging the public amidst these challenges.

In a moment when critical global health programs are under threat due to sweeping USAID cuts, two organizations are stepping up. The Life You Can Save and Founders Pledge have teamed up to launch the Rapid Response Fund, directing urgent philanthropic capital to the highest-impact, evidence-based interventions. Joining us today are Jessica LaMesa, Co-CEO of The Life You Can Save, and David Goldberg, Co-Founder and CEO of Founders Pledge.As David explains, “The heart shouldn't really decide how we give. It should bring us to give, but the head should be the one that helps us to figure out what to give to.”In this episode, we'll explore how these organizations are using evidence, speed, and collaboration to fill urgent funding gaps—and how their work might just reshape how philanthropy responds to a global crises.

At Goodwill Industries, the mission isn't just about thrift stores—it's about unlocking human potential through work and learning, especially for those society often overlooks. Today, I'm joined by Steve Preston, CEO of Goodwill Industries International, a leader who's taken his experience from Wall Street to Washington and now to one of North America's biggest nonprofits.In this episode, we'll dive into how Goodwill walks alongside people facing barriers, adapts to a changing job landscape, and redefines impact—one life at a time. Stay tuned for a conversation that's as inspiring as it is insightful.

My next guest says that most people approach philanthropy with the right heart but the wrong map. They want to give—but don't know where to start, how to make it matter, or how to ensure it's truly meaningful. Alex Johnston is the Founding Partner of Building Impact Partners, a philanthropic advisory firm that helps high-capacity donors align their giving with values, strategy, and real impact. He's also the author of Money with Meaning: How to Create Joy and Impact through Philanthropy.

If you've ever paused at the grocery store, looked at a Fair Trade label, and wondered what it really means—this episode is for you. Paul Rice, the founder and CEO of Fair Trade USA, has spent over two decades proving that ethical sourcing isn't just the right thing to do—it's also good business. He shares how his time living in rural Nicaragua reshaped his understanding of dignity, aid, and the power of markets. He takes us inside the early criticisms Fair Trade faced, how farmers themselves responded, and why he believes we're at a pivotal moment in the evolution of conscious capitalism. We'll also discuss his new book, Every Purchase Matters, and how businesses, consumers, and policymakers alike can create meaningful change—starting with the choices we make every day.

Today, I'm joined by Hali Lee. Her book The Big We rethinks philanthropy—shifting it from billionaires to regular folks at the kitchen table, pooling resources through giving circles. I love how she's turned her Korean geh tradition into a spark for collective change. We'll explore how she's shaking up giving, building community, and imagining a future where ‘we' and not “me” takes the lead. 

Today we're joined by Brenda Asare, chair of the Giving Institute and president and CEO of the Alford Group, a 45 year consultancy that's powered billions in nonprofit impact. With decades of experience, including leading major disaster fundraising efforts, she's tackling today's wild nonprofit landscape. We'll dive into the sector's strains, donor shifts, and how resilience is rising to meet the moment.

Tomorrow, March 14, marks India Giving Day—a vibrant call to action led by the India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA) to unite communities in supporting impactful India-focused nonprofits. On a recent episode of The Business of Giving podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Alex Counts, IPA's Executive Director, whose journey in social impact began with a film and a Fulbright scholarship and now fuels a movement to redefine philanthropy for India. With a career spanning microfinance innovation and nonprofit leadership, Alex shared how IPA is fostering collaboration over competition— and why tomorrow's event could be a turning point for collective giving.

Welcome to The Business of Giving. I'm your host, Denver Frederick. My guest today is Grace Bonilla, President and CEO of the United Way of New York City. With a lifelong dedication to helping New Yorkers thrive, Grace leads the organization in addressing systemic poverty, promoting equity, and strengthening communities across the city. The mission of United Way has always been clear: helping New Yorkers thrive. But as Grace explains: “What has changed is the needs of New Yorkers, and we have really been at the forefront of answering both emerging needs and long-lasting policy needs to really make sure that New Yorkers are thriving.” We'll talk about how United Way is meeting the challenges of a post-COVID world, creating innovative partnerships, and driving solutions that impact the lives of millions across New York City.

Welcome to The Business of Giving. I'm your host, Denver Frederick. Accessing social services in the United States can be a daunting and confusing process, often leaving those in need struggling to find the support they require. One Degree, a pioneering organization, is changing that narrative by creating a user-friendly platform that connects families with critical resources, empowering them to achieve stability and mobility. Joining us today is Rey Faustino, founder and CEO of One Degree. Inspired by his own journey as an immigrant, Rey is on a mission to simplify how individuals navigate essential services. In this episode, we'll delve into how One Degree is transforming lives through technology, its unique approach to addressing systemic barriers, and the innovative ways it builds community trust. Stay with us for a fascinating conversation about reshaping the social services ecosystem.