Giving Ventures

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As the landscape of nonprofits continues to grow, trying to stay current on all the good work going on can be overwhelming--especially if you target your support to efforts that help reduce government's size and people's dependence on it. Giving Ventures is designed to help charitable givers discover new opportunities to change the world for the better. Twice a month, the Giving Ventures podcast will highlight several non-profit efforts, initiatives, and projects that leverage private philanthropy to solve public problems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    • Apr 22, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 36m AVG DURATION
    • 87 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Giving Ventures

    Ep. 84 - The Coolidge and Reagan Legacies

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 43:05


    There was a time in the not-too-distant past where every political candidate looking to tout his or her conservative principles trotted out connections to and affinities for Ronald Reagan. And in a certain subset, those who really wanted to signal they were committed to smaller or more limited government reached even farther back into history, preaching the wisdom of President Calvin Coolidge. So what do their legacies look like today in this interesting political moment we find ourselves in? This episode of Giving Ventures features the leaders of both the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute as well as the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation. First, Amity Shlaes, chair of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, discusses how Coolidge's ideals are being revived and instilled in new generations. Next, David Trulio, president and CEO of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, shares how Reagan's timeless principles are being adapted to modern challenges.

    Ep. 83 - Center for Practical Federalism

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 40:20


    In an era where federal overreach seems to be the norm, the concept of federalism stands as a beacon of hope for many seeking a return to localized power and decision-making. In this episode, Tony Woodlief of the State Policy Network's Center for Practical Federalism shares insights into how states can reclaim their autonomy from an ever-expanding federal government. This episode goes beyond American civics and history, diving deep into the practical tools and strategies available to state and local officials aiming to push back against federal encroachment and restore the balance of power envisioned by the framers of the Constitution. Tony Woodlief is a Senior Fellow at the State Policy Network's Center for Practical Federalism and author of I, Citizen: A Blueprint for Reclaiming American Self-Governance. His work focuses on empowering state and local governments to reclaim authority and push back against federal overreach.

    Ep. 82 - California Thinking

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 38:31


    California has long been a trendsetter...but not always for the right reasons. Known for its innovative spirit and sun-soaked coastline, the state grapples with a multitude of policy challenges, from housing costs to environmental regulations. California's decisions often ripple across the nation, influencing policies from coast to coast. This episode features interviews with leaders from two influential think tanks—Pacific Research Institute and California Policy Center—about their efforts to counteract detrimental policies and promote free-market solutions in the Golden State. These organizations are not only tackling local issues but are also providing a blueprint for other states to avoid California's pitfalls. Sally Pipes is the longtime president of the Pacific Research Institute, a healthcare expert, and author of several books. Rowena Itchon serves as the Chief Operating Officer at the Pacific Research Institute. Will Swaim is the president of the California Policy Center.

    Ep. 81 - Promoting Free Speech on Campus

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 52:51


    In recent years, the landscape of free speech on college campuses has become a battleground, with incidents of censorship and cancel culture making headlines. Yet, out of this challenge, a new wave of hope is rising—one led by passionate alumni who are taking action to restore open discourse. This episode features three leaders from organizations working tirelessly to promote free speech: Charles Mitchell from the Open Discourse Coalition, Todd Rulon-Miller from Princetonians for Free Speech, and Peter Bonilla from the MIT Free Speech Alliance. Each brings a unique perspective and strategy to this shared mission, showcasing how alumni can be pivotal in reshaping the academic environment.

    Ep. 80 - Making Housing More Abundant and More Affordable

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 34:43


    Affordable housing is a persistent challenge in American politics. Bad public policy leads to artificial housing supply restrictions which causes prices to rise. But stimulating housing supply to bring costs down is a thorny issue. The latest episode of Giving Ventures brings together Sonja Trauss from Yes in My Backyard and Charles Gardner from the Mercatus Center to explore how grassroots advocacy and deregulation can make housing more abundant and more affordable. Sonja is the Founder and Executive Director of Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY), a grassroots organization that aims to address the housing shortage by advocating for policies that promote affordable housing. Charles is a Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center, where he explores housing policy, zoning, and land use. He brings a legal background and experience as an elected official in Connecticut to his work on housing policy.

    Ep. 79 - Addressing America's Mental Health Needs

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 42:55


    From the challenges posed by technology use to political biases creeping into the therapist's office, America is experiencing something of a mental health crisis. To help address this critical issue, the Philanthropy Roundtable recently compiled a Mental Health Playbook that provides philanthropists with an introduction to the most effective organizations working to solve this crisis while remaining faithful to the principles of liberty, opportunity, and personal responsibility. As the Roundtable explained in a recent article, private philanthropy is "essential to confronting our nation's mental health crisis" because "it's flexible and nimble, allowing the most effective, unique approaches to emerge." To learn more about the Playbook and to get a look at two of the organizations it highlights, Peter assembled a panel for this episode of Giving Ventures. Esther Larson is the Senior Director of Programs at the Philanthropy Roundtable. She spearheaded the creation of the Mental Health Playbook, a resource designed to guide donors through the complex landscape of mental health funding. Dr. Andrew Hartz is the Founder and President of the Open Therapy Institute. A clinical psychologist by training, he focuses on removing bias within the counseling space to improve mental health care. Carolyn Gorman serves as a policy analyst at the Manhattan Institute, one of the country's leading think tanks. Her work concentrates on the policy challenges and potential solutions in the mental health sector.

    Ep. 78 - Senator James Lankford on the State of Philanthropy in America

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 14:04


    This episode of Giving Ventures features a special interview with Senator James Lankford (R-OK), who provides a charitable-minded view from Capitol Hill. As one of the few U.S. Senators with extensive experience running a nonprofit, Lankford understands the needs and challenges of the charitable community and appreciates the role public policy can play in fostering a vibrant nonprofit sector. In this conversation, Peter and Senator Lankford discuss the state of charitable giving in America, the dangers posed to donor privacy, and how a new tax bill could incentivize more philanthropy. Senator Lankford has represented Oklahoma in the United States Senate since 2015 and, prior to his Senate service, represented the 5th District of Oklahoma in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015. Before entering public service, the Senator led the Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center in Oklahoma.

    Ep. 77 - Better School Boards Can Improve Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 35:48


    When conservatives discuss K-12 education, it can be tempting to cede public schools to their leftward drift and look to alternatives. And while Giving Ventures has featured some fantastic groups working in the school choice field, this episode is all about improving the public schools that educate 80% of our nation's school children. Giving our kids the best public education possible means engaging on the ground and at the local level, especially in our school boards. This episode features two impressive groups working to effect change at the school-board level. First, David Hoyt from School Boards for Academic Excellence describes his work equipping school board members to do their job effectively. SBAE has built an impressive network of state-based organizations and provides members with model policies, legal advice, and more. Then, Aiden Buzzetti from 1776 Project Foundation tells the story of how 1776 Project PAC was formed to help elect conservatives to local school boards before spinning out a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation to arm board members with the policy expertise and know-how they need to reverse pandemic learning loss.

    Ep. 76 - Ensuring Election Integrity

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 40:13


    It's important that our elections earn the confidence of American voters. In recent years fraud allegations, lawsuits, and elections rules changes have cast doubt on the integrity of our elections. Thankfully, groups like Public Interest Legal Foundation and the Foundation for Government Accountability are working hard to ensure elections are administered fairly. In this episode of Giving Ventures, Peter checks in with J. Christian Adams of PILF and Madeline Malisa of FGA for a post-election breakdown. Together, Christian and Madeline address issues like mandatory voter identification, ranked-choice voting, and the importance of holding elections for one day only rather than letting ballots trickle in for weeks after Election Day. J. Christian Adams is president and general counsel for Public Interest Legal Foundation. He also serves as commissioner of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity and previously served in the Voting Section at the United States Department of Justice. Madeline Malisa is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Government Accountability, where she is a policy and legal expert on election and initiative integrity. Prior to joining FGA, she served as chief counsel to Governor Paul LePage in the State of Maine.

    Smarter Giving with Gideon Bernstein

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 26:04


    This episode of Giving Ventures is a rerun of an evergreen conversation between Peter and author Gideon Bernstein about the upside of giving. Learn how the tragedy of Gideon's son's murder changed the way he views the world and his philanthropy. You won't want to miss this poignant conversation, especially if you need a fresh outlook and roadmap for your giving.

    Ep. 75 - Taxes, Philanthropy, and Donor Intent in the Next Administration

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 49:41


    With the 2017 tax cuts about to expire and major leadership changes in the executive and legislative branches coming in January, now is a critical time for the future of philanthropy. Reforms to the tax code and IRS regulations about charitable giving will affect not only your tax bill and deductions but also the future of donor privacy, donor intent protection, and key considerations for estate planning. To think ahead about what's in store for conservative and libertarian charitable givers, DonorsTrust recently held a webinar conversation with three experts to explore coming policy changes. This episode of Giving Ventures brings that discussion to you. In the episode we hear from: Stephen Moore, an economist and advisor to President Trump. Steve was a key voice behind the scenes when Republican lawmakers drafted the 2017 Trump tax cuts and offers an inside look into what is likely to come in the second Trump administration.  Christie Herrera, President and CEO of Philanthropy Roundtable, the nation's leading network for conservative givers. Christie's work gives her a close-up view to the myriad proposals in Congress and the IRS that would significantly alter philanthropic giving.  Michael Whitty, a seasoned expert in estate tax law and planning and partner at Smith Gambrell & Russell LLP in Chicago. Michael gives a view to the estate planning tools we can use as we consider possible changes to the tax code.

    Ep. 74 - Understanding and Persuading Independents

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 44:30


    This Election Day, Giving Ventures brings you interviews with three groups working to expand the coalition of limited government, pro-liberty Americans by engaging independents who aren't already among the free-market fold. Scott Rasmussen is the founder of the Napolitan Institute, which was formed to deliver accurate, unbiased polling of the American people. Adam Brandon's work with the Independent Center advances the common-sense center of American politics and advocates for Americans who believe in genuine compromise. Christian Robey, president of Our America, which was established to unite a broad and diverse coalition of Americans around a shared sense of patriotism and advance principles like criminal justice reform, freedom of thought, and voter integrity.

    Ep. 73 - New Trends in Planned Giving

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 39:01


    Earlier this month, DonorsTrust partnered with the Goldwater Institute and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club for a special event in Phoenix, Arizona. At the event, Peter was joined by DonorsTrust philanthropic advisor Lukas Dwelly and Yellowstone Trust Administration executive vice president Randy Huston for a discussion about the powerful charitable tools you can employ in your planned giving. Lukas is a chartered philanthropic advisor, an accredited estate planner, and charted financial advisor. Randy is certified financial planner with expertise in charitable estate planning and has worked in the charitable trust field for nearly 40 years. In this episode, Lukas covers the basics of bequest gifts, life insurance, and leveraging the full power of your IRA. And Randy gives an excellent overview of charitable remainder trusts and charitable lead trusts. The panel discussion will help you think more strategically about the tools available to you, including donor-advised funds.

    Ep. 72 - The State of Strong-America Foreign Policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 48:43


    What is America's role in the world? It's a hotly contested question in American politics that cuts across the left-right divide. Whereas a Reaganite policy view of a strong and robust national defensive capability coupled with American-led diplomacy around the world used to be the norm, leaders on both the left and right can now be found on either side of this issue. This episode explores three groups that go along with John Bolton's view of strong American leadership. Michael Doran, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, explains the evolution of the think tank from its origins in the Cold War to today. From a newer group, Vandenberg Coalition, Carrie Filipetti delves into the organization's mission and the way it uses its powerhouse advisory board to advance a stronger America. Finally, Alexander Hamilton Society executive director Gabriel Scheinmann emphasizes the importance of cultivating future leaders in the space through AHS's programming.

    Ep. 71 - Ending the Fragility Crisis Among Our Kids

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 53:17


    While curmudgeonly complaining about “kids these days” is nothing new, it's hard to deny that there's cause for genuine concern about America's youngest generations. The combination of radicalism and ignorance displayed in campus protests may be a variation on an old theme in higher education, but the fragility and emotional instability of these Gen Z students is notable. And even among their younger peers the effects of pandemic learning loss and years of screen addiction are evident in the aimlessness and prevalence of mental health issues in America's children. Underneath all of these trends are a set of ideas and attitudes toward parenting that have grown in their prevalence in recent decades. This episode features Lenore Skenazy and Andrea Keith from Let Grow, an organization dedicated to promoting childhood independence, along with John Tomasi, who leads Heterodox Academy in its mission to push back against troubling trends on campus and restore academic values like free inquiry and civil debate.

    Ep. 70 - Autocrats, Dissidents, and Global Freedom

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 45:25


    Autocracy is on the rise. There are only 34 liberal democracies – the lowest number in more than 25 years – and they are home to just 13 percent of the world population. How can we reverse that trend? Our guests today are at the vanguard of that work to reverse this decline in global freedom. First we will hear from World Liberty Congress, a newer group created and led by the very dissidents that the group aims to serve. Then, Human Rights Foundation, known for its important work highlighting the dangerous trend toward autocracy. Finally, Ideas Beyond Borders takes the fight to the Middle East region, and you'll enjoy hearing how it goes about its challenging work.

    Ep. 69 - Engaging Elected Officials

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 43:46


    American conservatives and libertarians can get really excited about ideas but aren't generally known for their enthusiasm about Congress. Among free marketers, “government” can almost sound like a bad word. Yet seeing the ideas of limited government, personal responsibility, and free enterprise put into action means engaging with the legislative process. Peter recently sat down with some of the folks doing this important work in the latest episode of Giving Ventures. First, Committee to Unleash Prosperity (CUP) co-founder Steve Moore, a Heritage Foundation scholar and former senior economist of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, outlines the importance of championing fiscal responsibility and pro-growth economic policy to elected officials. Next, Paul Winfree, a three-time Heritage alumnus with experience as an economist in the White House and U.S. Senate, tells Peter about his work as president of the Economic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC). Rounding out the lineup, Senator Jim DeMint, who has himself served as a legislator in both houses of the U.S. Congress and previously led the Heritage Foundation, shares about the powerhouse organization he founded in 2017, the Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI).

    Ep. 68 - The Power of Visual Storytelling

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 43:17


    Stories have incredible power to shape us. From the bedtime tales we tell our children to the latest installments of multi-billion-dollar film franchises, compelling characters and skillful storytelling grab our attention like nothing else. On the most recent episode of Giving Ventures, Peter is joined by guests from a trio of groups whose visual storytelling is capturing audiences with the message of freedom. First, Nick Reid and Lana Link from the Moving Picture Institute describe how their incubator and workshop programs cultivate the talents of young creatives with stories about human freedom. Then, Free the People president Matt Kibbe considers the power of video content to reach America's young and “liberty curious.” Finally, Jim Tusty of Sky Films draws on his extensive career to explain how compelling documentaries can persuade without telling the audience what to think.

    Ep. 67 - Is That Non-Profit Really Effective?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 33:40


    How do you know if an organization you support is really effective? What are the metrics you as a donor should be looking for? And are they hard metrics like numbers of policy wins, softer metrics like the amount of press coverage, or really amorphous metrics like a feeling that the organization is going in the right direction? Today, we talk with Leah Kral of the Mercatus Center about how donors should consider effectiveness of organizations they support. We also explore how we can go beyond looking at metrics to actually helping inspire groups we care for to innovate and grow.

    Ep. 66 - Challenging the New Title IX Rules

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 41:43


    Ep. 65 - Defending the 2nd Amendment

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 28:33


    With just 27 words, the 2nd Amendment of the Bill of Rights secures gun rights for millions of Americans—at least in theory. In practice, the text of the Second Amendment has been subject to legal, political, and cultural controversies, and Americans' gun rights are not always respected. In this episode of Giving Ventures, we hear from two of the most accomplished organizations in the gun rights space: Second Amendment Foundation and the Firearms Policy Coalition's FPC Action Foundation.

    Ep. 64 - Watchdogs, Attack Dogs, and Investigations

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 40:29


    Today, we're digging into the media landscape and talking to three groups helping people to make sense of the narratives that are out there as well as challenge those narratives when they stray from the truth. First up is our watch dog, the Media Research Center. Then we'll hear from a group that has become a watchdog with teeth, Accuracy in Media. We'll round things out digging into investigative journalism from a more free-market perspective with Real Clear Foundation. It's easy to be despondent about the state of media. These three groups will help you lift your chin a little higher and see that all is not lost.

    Ep. 63 - A Jewish Lens on Giving with Adam Milstein

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 35:55


    Ever since the terror attacks in Israel on Oct. 7 of last year, we have seen an increased focus on giving to causes related to Israel and Jewish life. Investor and venture philanthropist Adam Milstein joins us to offer his insights on how donors might think of challenging anti-Semitism, supporting Jewish culture, and the relationship between all of this to our own challenges in America.

    Ep. 62 - Using and Partnering with DAFs

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 35:02


    Donor-advised funds are a powerful charitable vehicle, and one that has grown rapidly in the past decade. However, just because the use of DAFs has grown doesn't mean everyone fully grasps the value and power that a fund can offer. Even less, there are lots of questions around what the role of the provider of DAFs can offer both to donors but also to the nonprofits who receive grants from those providers on behalf of its donors. In this episode, we explore the ins-and-outs of donor-advised funds.

    Ep. 61 — How to Implement True Charity

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2024 34:13


    In this interview with James Whitford, we explore a better way to do human-services charity. The word "charity" often leads people to think of the human-suffering side of giving, or rather efforts aimed to alleviate human suffering. Think homeless shelters, food banks, church-run thrift stores, and after-school programs in tough neighborhoods. All of these places have a role to play, but are they enough? Many listeners likely agree it's not. On the very first episode of Giving Ventures explored free-market approaches to alleviated poverty. We talked with groups trying to help individuals get over the welfare cliff and reclaim their dignity through work. Today, we'll expand on that theme and explore a concept called True Charity. The True Charity idea challenges the notion that kindness and giveaways to the poor are enough, and argues that true compassion comes by helping individuals in dire straights find a path toward self sufficiency and dignity. True Charity is both an idea and the name of an organization started by James Whitford. James originally founded Watered Gardens Ministry with his wife in Joplin, MO, which did many of those human-suffering alleviating things we mentioned at the start, but came to realize that wasn't enough and now is an evangelist for other human service organizations across the country to rethink how they do charity.

    Ep. 60 — Not Waiting for Government to Fund Kids' Schooling

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2024 43:18


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with Darla Romfo, president and CEO of Children's Scholarship Fund; Norton Rainey, CEO of ACE Scholarships; and Carol Liebau, president of Yankee Institute. The guests share what their nonprofits are doing to ensure every child gets a quality education no matter where they live. Tune in for this and more on the latest episode of Giving Ventures.

    Ep. 59 — What's Happening in Philanthropy Today

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2024 38:05


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with Lawson Bader, president and CEO of DonorsTrust, and Christie Herrera, president and CEO of PhilanthropyRoundtable. The two guests share insights and trends in philanthropy and discuss regulatory and legislative threats that, if approved, would chill giving. Tune in for this and more on the latest episode of Giving Ventures.

    Ep. 58 — Turning the Climate Debate On Its Head

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2024 41:18


    On the latest episode of the Giving Ventures podcast, DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with Rod Richardson, co-chair of the Climate & Freedom International Coalition and president of the Grace Richardson Foundation; Lord Daniel Hannan, former member of European Parliament, founding president of the Institute for Free Trade and a peer in the House of Lords; and Diego Sánchez de la Cruz, research coordinator at Instituto Juan de Mariana in Madrid. The three discuss ways free markets throughout the world can hasten the adoption of clean-energy alternatives.

    Ep. 57 — Where Fed-Up Higher-Ed Donors Can Still Give

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2024 29:10


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with Hans Zeiger, president of the Pennsylvania-based Jack Miller Center. Zeiger shares how he's sounding the alarm on government-funded universities and what conservatives can do to promote pluralism, defend American values and develop principled academic leaders.

    Ep. 56 — Libertarians and Austrians

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2024 41:44


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with Norman Horn, founder and president of Libertarian Christian Institute; Nicholas Sarwark, executive director of the Libertarian Policy Foundation; and Tom DiLorenzo, president of the Mises Institute. The guests, among other things, make the Christian case for Austrian economics.

    Ep. 55 — Liberty Training Isn't Just for the Kids

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2024 42:54


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with Lindsay Craig, president of National Review Institute; David McIntosh, president of Club for Growth Foundation; and Rebecca Good, managing director of outreach for American Enterprise Institute. The leaders explain what they're doing to nurture people's love and knowledge of liberty long after graduation.

    Ep. 54 — How Charity Builds Social Mobility

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2024 34:56


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, host and DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with Archbridge Institute President and CEO Gonzalo Schwarz and Justin Callais, research fellow at Archbridge Institute and lead author of its Social Mobility Index project. Discover how the institute is mapping out state-by-state the ability of one to improve their economic situation.

    Ep. 53 — Preserving Donor Intent

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2023 44:51


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with Bill Simon, co-chair of the William E. Simon Foundation; Bob Rubin, founder and president of Rubin Wealth Advisors; and Lawson Bader, president and CEO of DonorsTrurst. The charitable-giving experts talk about ways to preserve one's charitable wishes even as organizations drift away from their original mission. This and more on the latest episode of Giving Ventures.

    Ep. 52 — Smart Ways to Support Our Veterans

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2023 32:56


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with Marcus Ruzek, senior program director at the Marcus Foundation. Ruzek shares ways givers can shrink the disconnect that exists between veterans and non-veterans as military service wanes, reviews the resources available for givers interested in helping military veterans and discusses strategies for overcoming the damaging narrative veterans are somehow “broken” because of their military service.

    smart ways support our veterans ruzek
    Ep. 51 — Activating Tomorrow's Free-Market Leaders

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2023 37:38


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with Adam Josefczyk, co-founder and president of Forge Leadership Network; Noah Sofio, director of alumni and careers programming at the David Network; and Yael Levin Hungerford, executive director of the Adam Smith Society, a project of Manhattan Institute. Tune in and discover the unique ways these nonprofit leaders are cultivating and connecting future free-market leaders on Main Street and Wall Street.

    Ep. 50 — Making History and Civics Fun (and Factual)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2023 51:03


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with Marissa Streit, CEO of PragerU, and Fred Fransen, CEO of Certell. The three talk about the need to create history and civics materials that are even-handed and rooted in historical accuracy. Tune in to discover how Streit and Fransen are preserving commonsense ideas through their educational materials.

    Spreading Objectivism

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023 29:52


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with Tal Tsfany of the Ayn Rand Institute and Jennifer Grossman of Atlas Society. The three talk about the life and philosophy of Ayn Rand, author of "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged." A libertarian icon, Rand was born under Soviet rule and saw first-hand the destructive influence of communism. Tune in to discover how Tsfany and Grossman are spreading the ideas Rand championed.

    Microschools and Other Education Revolutions

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 45:00


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, host and DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with three education experts working to expand school choice. His guests include Don and Ashley Soifer, CEO and chief innovation officer, respectively, of the National Microschooling Center; Jenny Clark, founder of Love Your School; and Denisha Allen, founder of Black Minds Matter.

    Making Big Charitable Bets with the Peterson Prize

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2023 32:16


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, host and DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with Nicole Hoplin, president of Hoplin Jackson Charitable Advisors and representative for the Gregor G. Peterson Prize in Venture Philanthropy. The one-time $250,000 grant is awarded annually to a trailblazing non-profit newer than five years old. Tune in to learn about the prize and its namesake, Greg Peterson, one of the first venture capitalists, a former Marine and a Stanford University alumnus, mentor and trustee.

    Activating the Grassroots

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2023 39:12


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, host and DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with three policy experts working to activate the grassroots. Those experts are Adam Brandon, president of FreedomWorks Foundation; Akash Chougule, vice president of Americans for Prosperity Foundation; and Tina Descovich, co-founder of Moms for Liberty Foundation.

    Pro-Life Beyond Policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2023 40:35


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, host and DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with three policy experts working to make abortion unthinkable. Those experts are Jeanne Mancini, president of March for Life; Jeff Bradford, president of Human Coalition; and Ryan Hanlon, president and CEO of the National Council for Adoption.

    A New Era of Equal Opportunity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2023 38:31


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, host and DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with three policy experts working to expand diversity of thought and equal opportunity for all. Those experts are Edward Blum, founder of Students for Fair Admissions; Devon Westhill, president and general counsel of the Center for Equal Opportunity; and Kenny Xu, president and primary spokesperson for Color Us United.

    Taming the Unions 5 Years After Janus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2023 40:12


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, host and DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with three policy experts working to expand worker freedom. Those experts are Aaron Withe, president and CEO of Freedom Foundation; Joseph G. Lehman, CEO of Mackinac Center; and Elisabeth Messenger, Americans for Fair Treatment.

    The Religious Liberty Defenders

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2023 42:15


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, host and DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with Mark Rienzi, president and CEO of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty; Kelly Shackelford, president and CEO of First Liberty; and Eric Patterson, president of Religious Freedom Institute. Listen in to hear what their groups are doing to advance religious liberty at home and abroad.

    Donors Survey the Economic and Political Landscape

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2023 28:30


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, Peter talks with two donors: David Thayer and Tom Beach. They share their expert insights into the markets and offer thoughts on how donors and organizations might respond to economic and political uncertainty. The episode, taken from a conversation originally aired as a webinar for nonprofit leaders, starts on a pessimistic note. David explains why we are likely in a recession and unlikely to see a great reduction in the inflationary environment. As he says, "It's already worse than it seems."

    Growing Tech and Innovation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2023 41:22


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, Peter talks with leaders tackling tough tech topics like artificial-intelligence programs threatening to remake industry as we know it. His guests include George Gilder, co-founder of the Discovery Institute; Zach Graves, executive director of the Foundation for American Innovation; and Chris Koopman, executive director of the Center for Growth and Opportunity at Utah State.

    Preserving Our History

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2023 30:11


    Thomas Hand, a graduate of West Point and a successful businessman, joins DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett on the latest episode of Giving Ventures to talk about the unique grant program he created using DonorsTrust. The program, facilitated by DonorsTrust, awards grants to those preserving historic sites across the country — sites that tell the story of America and her founders.

    Reimagining Higher Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2023 40:28


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, host and DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with Pano Kanelos, president of the University of Austin, and Stephen Blackwood, founding president of Ralston College in Savannah, Georgia. Both gentleman are working hard to offer a higher-education alternative that is more open to intellectual curiosity and openness. Listen in to hear what they have to say about their hopes for the future of higher education in America.

    A Classical Take on Teaching

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2023 40:24


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, DonorsTrust Vice President and host Peter Lipsett talks with three nonprofit executives working to revive and expand classical education. His guests include Robert Jackson, executive director of Great Hearts Institute; Bob Luddy, founder of Thales Academy; and Kathleen O'Toole, director of Barney Schools at Hillsdale College. Brew a cup of tea and throw your feet up as you listen to the latest episode.

    Sparking Entrepreneurship

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2023 26:16


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, host and DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks with Connor Boyack, founder and president of Libertas Institute and Nicole Cassier-Mason, CEO of Lemonade Day. Both guests talk about the importance of helping kids build their entrepreneurial skills, something that will serve them throughout their life and skills they likely won't learn in public school.

    Make the Most of a Wealth Event

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2023 44:55


    On the latest episode of Giving Ventures, host and DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett moderates a conversation with featured guest Chris Cousins, an experienced financial advisor who has helped many folks navigate wealth events like the sale of a business and windfalls like inheritance. DonorsTrust President & CEO Lawson Bader and DonorsTrust Chief Financial Officer Jeff Zysik also have helpful cameos on the episode.

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