The Power of Philanthropy: Making a Difference Through Charitable Giving

Why This Episode Is a Must-Watch

Winston Churchill once said, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." Have you ever pondered the true impact of philanthropy and how you can make a difference beyond monetary donations? Whether you are a seasoned philanthropist or just starting to explore the power of giving, this episode of Inspired Money is essential viewing. Learn from top experts on how to give smarter, more meaningfully, and create a significant impact through collective and strategic philanthropy.

Meet the Expert Panelists

Sara Lomelin is the founding CEO of Philanthropy Together, where she’ss growing a global movement of collective giving to resource grassroots nonprofits, shift power dynamics, and diversify philanthropy. A philanthropy disruptor and expert in collective giving, Sara frequently speaks at high-profile events like TED and Netroots Nation, sharing her vision for democratizing philanthropy and empowering everyone to become a philanthropist.

Dr. Akhtar Badshah is the founder of Catalytic Innovators Group and former head of Microsoft’s global philanthropic efforts, where he oversaw community investments and employee contributions for over a decade. Currently a Distinguished Practitioner at the University of Washington, Dr. Badshah is the author of Purpose Mindset: How Microsoft Inspires Employees and Alumni to Change the World and a leading voice in leveraging corporate and philanthropic resources for global social impact.

Emily Rasmussen is the founder and CEO of Grapevine , the leading platform for giving circles, which empowers donors to pool resources and create greater impact together, helping to democratize and diversify philanthropy. With a background in social entrepreneurship and nonprofit strategy, Emily has pioneered innovative fundraising models, previously serving as the founding Executive Director of New York University’s Center for Ballet and the Arts and leading initiatives at Lincoln Center and Enterprise Solutions to Poverty.

Richard Marker is the faculty co-director for executive education programs at the Center for High Impact Philanthropy and a philanthropy advisor with Wise Philanthropy™, where he guides foundations and individual philanthropists on strategic decision-making. With decades of experience, Marker has served as CEO of a major foundation, taught globally, and coined the term "philanthro-ethics" to address ethical considerations in philanthropy.

Key Highlights 1. The Power of Collective Giving

Emily Rasmussen of Grapevine emphasized how giving circles can pool resources to create a significant impact. "Collaborative funds not only increase the amount of money donated, but they also direct funds to underfunded grassroots organizations," stated Emily. This democratizes philanthropy and ensures a diversified funding landscape for meaningful change.

2. Trust-Based Philanthropy

Dr. Akhtar Badshah passionately argued the need to move beyond traditional giving. "We need to rethink how we want young people to feel part of the community and show up with purpose," said Akhtar. He believes in rebuilding trust and focusing on showing up as part of the community beyond just financial contributions.

3. Transparent and Ethical Giving

Richard Marker's insights into ethical philanthropy revolved around transparency and the ethical use of power. "If a grantee can say no to a funder, that means there's a level of trust that can move the discussion along," remarked Richard. This underlines the importance of maintaining transparency and balancing the power dynamics in philanthropic relationships.

4. Leveraging Technology

Sara Lomelin and Emily Rasmussen both highlighted the transformative role of technology. From facilitating remote giving circles to equalizing access to information, tech enables broader participation and efficient, impactful giving. During the COVID-19 pandemic, platforms like Grapevine and Zoom ensured continuous support to nonprofits when they needed it the most.

Call-to-Action

Inspired by this discussion? Take a step towards purposeful philanthropy today. Find one step you can take to give more intentionally this week. Maybe it’s joining a giving circle (check out Grapevine if you’re curious!) or pooling resources with friends to support a local nonprofit. Or, simply take some time to reflect on the causes that matter most to you and make a donation—no matter the size. Small steps add up to big change, especially when we give together.

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Andy Wang, Host/Producer of Inspired Money