BLOG
Unlocking Digital Donations: How Pat Duffy’s The Giving Block is Leading the Crypto Philanthropy Movement
To better understand where crypto philanthropy is headed, I recently sat down with Pat Duffy. Our conversation touched on The Giving Block’s origin story, the growing adoption of cryptocurrency in nonprofits, and the future of digital donations.
The Art of Fearless Fundraising: Masterclass Insights from Lydia Fenet
Lydia Fenet, the world’s leading charity auctioneer, shares her expertise on maximizing fundraising impact through effective auctioneering. She highlights the importance of confidence, timing, and audience engagement, advocating for personalized auctions tailored to the specific cause. Lydia also reveals how strategic use of silence can prompt bidding, emphasizing that careful planning and a wellexecuted approach are key to transforming a good auction into a successful one.
CodePath: Reshaping Tech Education and Workforce Diversity
As the CEO and co-founder of CodePath, Michael Ellison is on a mission to revolutionize higher education and create a more diverse generation of tech leaders. His journey to this point has been shaped by personal experiences and a deep understanding of the challenges facing underrepresented students in the tech industry.
Airbnb.org: Empowering Hosts to Provide Emergency Housing
Airbnb.org is a nonprofit that provides emergency housing for people displaced by crises worldwide. Founded after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, it has housed over 220,000 people in 134 countries. Executive Director Christoph Gorder discusses their challenges and successes, including housing 130,000 Ukrainian refugees. The organization partners with over 100 groups globally to assist vulnerable cases. Its funding combines host generosity and public donations, with Airbnb covering operating costs. Gorder aims for Airbnb.org to become the primary platform for temporary emergency housing, leveraging Airbnb’s community of 5 million hosts and 100 million guests for humanitarian purposes.
Navigating a CEO Transition: Insights from Josh Wright and Bridgette Gray of ideas42
The successful CEO transition at ideas42 from Josh Wright to Bridgette Gray highlights the importance of thoughtful planning, mutual trust, and shared organizational values. Josh’s timely decision ensured a smooth handover, aided by meticulous succession planning and clear stakeholder communication. Bridgette, drawn by the organization’s holistic approach and strong track record, embraces her role with plans for revenue diversification and innovation. Their collaboration underscores the need for humility, genuine care, and ego-free leadership, offering valuable lessons for other nonprofits.
The Transformative Power of Bicycles and Financial Literacy: A Conversation with Nigel Sylvester and Tasia McLeod
Nigel Sylvester and Tasia McLeod of the Nigel Sylvester Foundation focus on empowering underserved youth through bicycles and financial literacy. Nigel’s journey from discovering BMX in his grandmother’s driveway to becoming a global influencer through digital platforms illustrates his dedication and innovative spirit. The foundation, inspired by his mother’s example of community service, runs key programs like Switching Gears and Financial Literacy. Despite challenges like funding and finding instructors, their efforts continue to make significant impacts, with future plans to expand both domestically and internationally.
Revolutionizing Philanthropy with Adam Nash: How Daffy is Making Charitable Giving Accessible
Adam Nash, co-founder of Daffy (Donor-Advised Fund for You), is transforming philanthropy by making charitable giving accessible to everyone through an innovative app. Daffy simplifies the donoradvised fund (DAF) process, enabling users to set aside money for charity, receive immediate tax deductions, and donate easily to any U.S. legal charity. Nash counters criticisms of DAFs by showcasing their potential to boost regular giving and emphasizes the importance of technology in linking nonprofits with donors. Drawing on his extensive tech industry experience, Nash aims to build a community that promotes generosity and enhances donor engagement.
The Multifaceted Mission of LISC
Local Initiatives Support Corporation, or LISC, is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing distressed communities and fostering economic opportunity. Since its founding in 1979, LISC has invested some $30 billion to catalyze community development across the United States.
Leading LISC is Michael T. Pugh, who became the President and CEO in October of 2023. Pugh brings over 30 years of banking experience focused on expanding access to capital in underserved communities. Prior to LISC, he spent over a decade as CEO of Carver Federal Savings Bank, a major African American-operated bank in Harlem.
Putting People First: Leadership Lessons from Father Edward “Monk” Malloy
Father Edward “Monk” Malloy, President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing people in leadership roles. He highlights the necessity of supporting academic freedom while maintaining campus safety, the success of effective fundraising and strategic investments in growing Notre Dame’s endowment, and the critical role of clear and inclusive communication. His leadership philosophy, shaped by his global experiences and dedication to serving the broader community, underscores that valuing and investing in people is fundamental to achieving institutional success.
The Strategic Funding of Advocacy: Insights from Experts
A topic that’s gaining traction among philanthropists and changemakers alike is the strategic funding of advocacy efforts, and I’m excited to have with us today two distinguished experts to discuss it. William Foster is a managing partner at the Bridgespan Group and co-author of Betting on the Tortoise: Policy Incrementalism and How Philanthropy’s Support Can Turn Small Sustained Steps into Big Impact. His research provides a deep dive into how major policy victories are often not the result of sudden leaps, but rather the culmination of strategic incremental efforts backed by steadfast philanthropic support. And joining him is Deborah Bielak, a partner in the Bridgespan San Francisco office. She is the co-author of Using All the Tools in the Toolkit: Funding Advocacy for Social Change. It highlights the diverse strategies philanthropists can employ to drive policy and political changes that resonate with their objectives.