Foundation Source - Forward Thinking

Latest Episodes:

Next Gen Leads Family Foundation Transition Oct 27, 2015

Show notes

Katherine Lorenz represents the succeeding generation of The Giving Pledge signators. As such, she’ll be responsible for fulfilling the philanthropic intentions of her grandparents, Cynthia and George Mitchell. In this podcast, Katherine shares her journey in preparing to lead her family’s foundation. Our conversation explores how her grandfather’s legacy influenced her style of philanthropy, the importance of sharing and learning from philanthropic failures, and the power of peer networks. By the end of the podcast, listeners will understand why Forbes magazine named Katherine among “Ones to Watch,” as a notable emerging philanthropist using her resources to make change in distinctive and innovative ways.

Increase Your Impact by 95%! Oct 08, 2015

Show notes

While the 5% grantmaking payout certainly furthers your foundation’s philanthropic goals, what are you doing with the other 95%? Increasingly, private foundations are exploring the benefits of impact investing, aligning their investment portfolio with their missions to improve their impact. In this podcast, Kristin Hull shares her passion for impact investing, which inspired her to allocate 100% of her family foundation’s assets to mission-related investments. A signatory of the Divest Invest Philanthropy Pledge, Kristin also offers advice on how next-generation trustees can introduce impact investing to their family foundations.

The Secret to Passing on Your Philanthropic Legacy Sep 09, 2015

Show notes

The founders of private foundations often have a story—a formative experience or insight that inspired them to become active philanthropists. In this podcast, Sharna Goldseker discusses The Grandparent Legacy Project, a tool to help you share your narrative that informed your personal identity as well as your philanthropy. Although many founders take these stories for granted, assuming that they’re “ancient history” as far as the next generation is concerned, they’re anything but. Your personal narrative, and the act of passing it on, is actually critical to conveying your philanthropic legacy to your family and enlisting the next generation to carry it forward.

Turning Philanthropy Inside Out Aug 11, 2015

Show notes

David Callahan, founder and editor of Inside Philanthropy, a digital media site, discusses his quest to revolutionize philanthropy by taking a more critical look at the way it’s currently practiced by foundations, donors, and grantees. Viewed as an iconoclast by some, he’s earned that reputation by questioning the practices of everyone from well-intentioned neophytes to well-established (and often acclaimed) foundations. In this podcast, David analyzes current philanthropic trends and shares his recommendations for funders who want to achieve the greatest impact with their charitable dollars.

Raising Children amid Privilege & Wealth Jun 16, 2015

Show notes

Coventry Edwards-Pitt discusses her book, Raised Healthy, Wealthy & Wise, which features guidance and real-world examples to help parents of means bring up their children to be happy, healthy, and generous adults. Drawing on her many years of professional experience as a nationally recognized wealth advisors, Edwards-Pitt shares her research on successful heirs and uncovers what works – and what doesn’t – in raising wealthy children to lead fulfilling and productive lives.

Next Gen Donors: Respecting Legacy, Revolutionizing Philanthropy May 26, 2015

Show notes

#NextGenDonors – Who are the next generation donors, and how do they think about philanthropy? Michael Moody, Ph.D. discusses first-of-its-kind research Respecting Legacy, Revolutionizing Philanthropy conducted by The Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University and 21/64, a nonprofit consulting practice specializing in next gen and multigenerational engagement in philanthropy.