48. Sitting in the gray with Elisha Smith Arrillaga

What does it mean to sit in the gray areas of change? How can philanthropy better support nonprofit leaders and staff in these challenging times?In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti speaks with Elisha Smith Arrillaga, a thought leader in philanthropy and the leader of the research team at the Center for Effective Philanthropy. Elisha shares her journey from a childhood deeply influenced by civil rights activism to her role in shaping effective philanthropic practices. The conversation covers critical topics, including the findings from the 2024 State of Nonprofits report, which highlights the ongoing burnout crisis among nonprofit leaders, and the transformative impact of large, unrestricted gifts as seen in Mackenzie Scott’s philanthropy.Elisha also provides a sneak peek into their upcoming research, exploring the differences in grantee experiences when receiving funds directly from foundations versus intermediaries. This episode is packed with insights for anyone passionate about the future of philanthropy and nonprofit well-being.Today’s GuestElisha Smith Arrillaga is the Director of Research at the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP). She has dedicated her career to ensuring that philanthropic practices are grounded in research and focused on maximizing their positive impact on nonprofits and the communities they serve.Website: Center for Effective PhilanthropySocial Media: LinkedInYou’ll  hear:What embodying change means in the context of philanthropyElisha’s journey from a childhood rooted in social justice to leading research at CEPInsights from the 2024 State of Nonprofits report on burnout and staff well-beingThe impact of Mackenzie Scott’s large, unrestricted gifts on nonprofit organizationsHow funders perceive nonprofits' capacity to manage large gifts and what this says about the systemResources mentionedThe Big Gifts Report: The Impact of Large, Unsrestricted GiftsState of Nonprofits 2024: What Funders Need to KnowTrust-Based Philanthropy: Trust-Based Philanthropy ProjectHaas Fund Case Study: SSIR article on operationalizing trustWellbeing Project: The Wellbeing ProjectQuotes“Embodying change means being able to sit in the gray areas and take the best of all kinds of solutions.” – Elisha Smith Arrillaga“Supporting nonprofit leaders and staff is crucial to achieving their missions—burnout can't be ignored.” – Elisha Smith Arrillaga“Receiving large, unrestricted gifts boosts leadership confidence and allows for greater innovation and impact.” – Elisha Smith Arrillaga“Flexibility in funding allows organizations to plan effectively and respond creatively to challenges.” – Elisha Smith Arrillaga“There are assumptions about nonprofits’ ability to manage large gifts, but our research shows they can, and they do amazing things with those funds.” – Elisha Smith ArrillagaCall to ActionSubscribe to the Embodying Change podcast for more inspiring conversations.Visit cep.org to learn more about the Center for Effective Philanthropy and their research.Join or listen to the replay of the CEP’s webinar on October 15th to dive deeper into their latest report on intermediaries in philanthropy.

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