Giving Done Right
Episodes
We Need Your Help
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We want to hear from you about how the conversations on this podcast are making a difference in your approach to philanthropy. If our show has helped ...
Ezra Klein on Philanthropy’s Role at a Precarious Time
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the current federal administration makes sweeping cuts to social safety net programs, political divisions deepen, and the guardrails of American de...
Lessons on Disaster Giving With Patty McIlreavy
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Effective disaster giving often begins before a disaster even occurs. So says Patty McIlreavy, president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthro...
Mounting Pressure on Nonprofits: What Donors Need to Know with Elisha Smith Arrillaga
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Federal funding cuts and increased demand for their services have left nonprofits across the country and issue areas reeling, with many questioning wh...
How to Get Boards to Help With Fundraising, From The Chronicle of Philanthropy
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Giving Done Right, we’re introducing you to another podcast we love: Nonprofits Now: Leading Today, from The Chronicle of Philanthropy....
Building Better Schools: David McKinney on Why Student Voice Matters
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when education reform takes place without the input or engagement of the young people who will experience its effects? Conversely, what h...
Beyond the Model Minority Myth: Ben Hires on Supporting AAPI Communities
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How does the "model minority myth" impact how funders view and support Asian immigrant communities? What role do disaggregated data play in ensuring t...
Defending the Freedom to Give with Tonya Allen and John Palfrey
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is the fundamental right to give according to one’s values under attack in America? Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette talk with two influential foun...
Faith, Generosity, and Justice: Dilnaz Waraich on Muslim American Giving
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it mean to tell the Muslim American story of generosity? Why is it important to talk about "religious justice" in philanthropy alongside oth...
An Anti-Authoritarian Playbook for Donors With Joe Goldman
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President of the Democracy Fund Joe Goldman offers both urgency and clarity for donors concerned about the U.S.’ democratic backslide into authorita...
A Defining Moment for Democracy: Angelica Salas on the Immigration Crisis
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As ICE raids and warrantless arrests by masked federal agents take place around the U.S., Angelica Salas, executive director of CHIRLA (Coalition for ...
Effecting Change at the Local Level: Wisdom from Community Foundation CEOs
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Donors looking to make a difference in their local communities can turn to community foundations — local philanthropic institutions driven by giving...
Happy Mwende Kinyili on Building a Global, Grassroots Feminist Movement
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when $2.83 billion disappears from women's rights funding globally? Conversely, what is possible when donors break out of traditional sil...
Federal Cuts, Local Food Banks, and what Donors Can Do With Julie Butner
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As federal funding cuts shift more responsibility for food insecurity to local communities, Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette talk with Julie Butner, ...
Mark Suzman on Funding Urgent Needs
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The dismantling of USAID has created the most profound crisis in international development in decades, threatening to reverse years of progress in pub...
Introducing: Season 5 of Giving Done Right
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As shifts to federal policy and funding profoundly impact domestic nonprofits and civil society as well as international aid, it has never been more v...
Giving Back to Your Hometown with Bean Path’s Nashlie Sephus
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nashlie Sephus, Ph.D. brought her passion for technology and experience as an entrepreneur back to her hometown of Jackson, Mississippi to bridge the ...
Taking on Philanthropy’s Toughest Critiques with Beth Breeze
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Philanthropy has been the subject of intensifying criticism, so how should donors think about their role in creating a better world? Beth Breeze, Ph.D...
Giving Cash to Those in Need with Paul Niehaus of GiveDirectly
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we begin a new year, we’re sharing a classic from the Giving Done Right archive in which Phil and Grace talk with Paul Niehaus, co-founder and ch...
Julián Castro on Supporting a Diverse Latino Community after Trump’s Win
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From his days as mayor of San Antonio, Texas to serving as a Cabinet Secretary under former President Barack Obama to leading the nation's largest Lat...
Get Curious and Stay the Course: Advice for Donors from Philanthropists Jeff and Tricia Raikes
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Tricia Raikes, co-founders of the Raikes Foundation, join Phil and Grace to share their path to philanthropy, their focus on creating support...
What Does a Trump Victory Mean for Nonprofits and Donors Focused on Democracy? With Stephen Heintz
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Heintz, president and CEO of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, joins Phil and Grace to discuss the results of the 2024 presidential election, whe...
Giving Locally with Mike Bontrager and Stephanie Almanza
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Father-daughter duo Mike Bontrager and Stephanie Almanza join Phil and Grace to share their approach to building both for-profit and nonprofit venture...
Tackling the Root Causes of Homelessness with Susan Thomas
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What can donors do to address the seemingly intractable problem of homelessness? Susan Thomas, president of the Melville Charitable Trust, joins Phil ...
Avoid the Myths and Give Smarter with Elisha Smith Arrillaga and Kevin Bolduc
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Phil and Grace invite their CEP colleagues Elisha Smith Arrillaga and Kevin Bolduc to the recording studio for a candid and lively conversation that c...
Who Gets to Age with Dignity? Featuring Ramsey Alwin and Chad Federwitz
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nearly everyone will age or be in a caregiving role for aging relatives at some point in their life, yet relatively few major donors or foundations ma...
Investing in Nonprofit Leaders with Yolanda Coentro
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What role do leaders play in the success of nonprofits and how can donors better support effective nonprofit leaders? Phil and Grace chat with Yoland...
Fighting Poverty with Direct Cash Transfers, Featuring Jesús Gerena
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when you give cash to those in need? In this episode, Phil and Grace discuss direct cash transfers in conversation with Jesús Gerena, pr...
Harnessing AI for a Better World with Vilas Dhar
10 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Could AI help us tackle intractable social problems and create a more just and equitable world? Vilas Dhar, president and trustee of the Patrick J. Mc...
Eric Liu on Revitalizing Faith in American Democracy
03 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How can donors support a revitalization of civic engagement and a renewed commitment to democratic citizenship? Eric Liu, co-founder CEO of Citizen Un...
One Family’s Quest for Lasting Impact with Vivian Long
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Long Family Foundation Executive Director Vivian Long joins Phil and Grace to discuss her family’s approach to giving together, navigating intergene...
Funding the Fight for Justice with Darren Walker
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
President of the Ford Foundation Darren Walker joins Phil and Grace for a conversation about bold philanthropic leadership, inequality, and the import...
What if We Get it Right? Ayana Elizabeth Johnson on Collective Climate Action
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Climate scientist, author, and climate policy expert Ayana Elizabeth Johnson joins Giving Done Right hosts Phil and Grace to discuss “what if we get...
Introducing: Season 4 of Giving Done Right
05 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hosts Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette are excited to bring you season four of the Giving Done Right podcast, the show on everything you need to know...
MacKenzie Scott's Lessons on Giving with Phil and Grace
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the season three finale of the Giving Done Right podcast, hosts Phil and Grace pull back the curtain on new Center for Effective Philanthropy resea...
Family Philanthropy and Big Business with Arthur Blank and Fay Twersky
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Home Depot co-founder and owner of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United teams, Arthur Blank joins episode seven of season 3, alongside President and...
How Our Stories Shape Our Giving with Vinh and Leisle Chung
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the sixth episode of season 3, philanthropists Vinh and Leisle Chung share their remarkable stories of coming to the U.S. as a refugee and an immig...
Heather McGhee on the Zero Sum Lie
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Author and activist Heather McGhee joins hosts Phil and Grace for the fifth episode of season three. Heather provides keen insight into ‘drained poo...
Canceling Debt with Allison Sesso
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the fourth episode of season 3, hosts Phil and Grace are joined by Allison Sesso, president and CEO of RIP Medical Debt. Allison discusses the enor...
Radical Generosity with April Tam Smith
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Philanthropist and restaurateur April Tam Smith joins Grace on the Giving Done Right podcast to discuss her unique approach to giving, balancing phila...
Donors and Disasters with Patty McIlreavy
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the second episode of season three, hosts Phil and Grace are joined by Patty McIlreavy, president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (...
Rooted in Community with Gladys Vega
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the season 3 premiere of Giving Done Right, hosts Phil and Grace talk with Gladys Vega about her remarkable work leading Boston-area nonprofit La ...
Introducing: A new season of Giving Done Right
08 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Being a wise and effective donor isn’t easy. That’s where Giving Done Right comes in — the podcast with everything you need to know to be a mor...
Giving Cash to Those in Need
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the season finale of Giving Done Right season two, CEP’s Phil and Grace talk with Paul Niehaus, co-founder and chairman of GiveDirectly. Paul di...
Climate Change and Racial Justice
10 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the penultimate episode of Giving Done Right season two, CEP’s Phil and Grace with Gloria Walton, president and CEO of The Solutions Project. Gl...
Investing for Impact
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode of Giving Done Right, Phil and Grace talk with Liesel Pritzker Simmons, major donor and co-founder of impact investing firm ...
The Heart and the Head
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the seventh episode of Giving Done Right season two, CEP’s Phil and Grace talk with Rohini Nilekani, philanthropist and Giving Pledge sign...
The Arts and a Just World
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the sixth episode of Giving Done Right season two, CEP’s Phil and Grace talk with Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, poet and president of The Andr...
Unleashing Potential
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the fifth episode of Giving Done Right season two, Phil and Grace talk with Stephanie Hull, president and CEO of Girls Inc. Stephanie provides ...
Finding Your Lane
07 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the fourth episode of season two, Phil and Grace talk with Jeremy Lin, professional basketball player of 'Linsanity' fame, and Patricia Sun, CEO o...
The Unifier
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the third episode of season two, Phil and Grace talk with Tony Richardson, executive director of the Nord Family Foundation. Tony discusses how adv...
Giving as a Family Affair
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the second episode of Giving Done Right season two, Phil and Grace talk with Julie Aleman, philanthropist and executive director of the Younger Fam...
Small but Mighty
16 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the debut episode of season two, hosts Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette talk with Cathy Moore, executive director of Epiphany Community Health Out...
Introducing: Season 2 of Giving Done Right
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join hosts Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette from the Center for Effective Philanthropy as they welcome major donors and nonprofit leaders to answer p...
Bonus Episode — Taking Stock: Philanthropy’s Role in Supporting Racial Equity
16 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this special bonus episode of Giving Done Right, we share a recent conversation on philanthropy’s role in supporting racial equity and the moveme...
No Easy Answers: The Hard Work of Giving Done Right
19 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 7 — the Season 1 finale! — hosts Phil and Grace are joined by Melinda Tuan, a trusted adviser to foundations and major donors around th...
Changing Lives: The Power of Relationships
12 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 6, Phil and Grace are joined by David Shapiro, CEO of MENTOR, a national nonprofit that works to drive equity through expanding quality m...
In Community, By Community, For Community
29 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 5, hosts Phil and Grace are joined by Chitra Hanstad, executive director of World Relief Seattle, Washington state’s largest refugee rese...
Making and Measuring Impact
22 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 4, hosts Phil and Grace are joined by Tiffany Cooper Gueye, COO at Blue Meridian Partners and former CEO of the national nonprofit, BellXce...
Holding up the Roof: How Philanthropy Can Bolster Democracy
15 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 3, hosts Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette are joined by LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, an organization working to fight...
Giving Until it Hurts: Faith, Pain, and Purpose
08 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode two, hosts Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette welcome Jason Hackmann, an entrepreneur and major donor whose name you won’t find in headlin...
Change, Not Charity
01 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In episode one, hosts Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette talk with a powerhouse leader in philanthropy: Jacqueline Martinez Garcel, CEO of the Latino...
Introducing: The Giving Done Right Podcast
08 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Join hosts Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette from the Center for Effective Philanthropy as they welcome leaders from the nonprofit sector to answer ph...