Amplifying Research
21. Philanthropic funding: A/Prof Nicholas Van Dam on raising $10M for a new research centre
26 Aug 2024
View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/21-nicholas-van-dam Today’s episode is a deep dive with Associate Professor Nicholas Van Dam on how he raised $10M in philanthropic funding for the University of Melbourne's Contemplative Studies Centre. Nicholas shares how he reframed his thinking to land that significant donation, and we discuss the importance of diversifying your funding portfolio, building connections with the right people, and effectively pitching your vision to potential donors. If you’re a researcher or part of a research organisation looking to tap into philanthropic funding, this episode is packed with practical advice and strategies you can apply to your own work. Our conversation covers: Strategies for reframing your thinking to attract significant donations. The importance of diversifying your funding sources and not relying solely on traditional grants. How to build and maintain connections with potential donors and key stakeholders. Listening and self-reflection — the importance of listening to potential donors and understanding their priorities while also reflecting on your own passions and long-term satisfaction before committing to funding agreements. The value of dedicating time to develop the necessary skills for securing funding and taking meetings, even when uncertain about the outcomes. Effective pitching techniques to communicate your vision and its impact compellingly. The role of media appearances in building your reputation and increasing your visibility to potential donors. The significance of surrounding yourself with the right people, seeking mentorship, and consciously building a strong, supportive team. Tips on leveraging your existing networks to open doors to new funding opportunities. Find A/Prof Nicholas Van Dam online: https://www.nicholastvandam.com UniMelb — https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/796489-nicholas-van-dam LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-van-dam-7784a85/
No persons identified in this episode.
This episode hasn't been transcribed yet
Help us prioritize this episode for transcription by upvoting it.
Popular episodes get transcribed faster
Other recent transcribed episodes
Transcribed and ready to explore now
#2425 - Ethan Hawke
11 Dec 2025
The Joe Rogan Experience
SpaceX Said to Pursue 2026 IPO
10 Dec 2025
Bloomberg Tech
Don’t Call It a Comeback
10 Dec 2025
Motley Fool Money
Japan Claims AGI, Pentagon Adopts Gemini, and MIT Designs New Medicines
10 Dec 2025
The Daily AI Show
Eric Larsen on the emergence and potential of AI in healthcare
10 Dec 2025
McKinsey on Healthcare
What it will take for AI to scale (energy, compute, talent)
10 Dec 2025
Azeem Azhar's Exponential View