The Business of Giving

Welcome to The Business of Giving, where we explore the leaders and ideas shaping the future of social impact. Today, I’m delighted  to welcome Jennifer Sirangelo , President and CEO of Points of Light , the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. Jennifer is leading a movement to double volunteerism in the United States by 2035. But her vision goes beyond numbers—it’s about h...

Welcome to The Business of Giving, where we spotlight the people and ideas transforming philanthropy and social impact! Today, I’m thrilled to introduce Josh Birkholz , CEO of BWF , the powerhouse consultancy that’s been sparking transformative change since its iconic work on the Statue of Liberty restoration. Josh is a pioneer in data-driven fundraising strategy, co-author of BeneFactors, and one...

What if philanthropy had a profession—real credentials, ethical standards, and trusted training—just like law or finance? Right now, it doesn’t. But my guest today is changing that. Dien Yuen is the founder of Daylight Advisors , and she’s leading a bold effort to professionalize philanthropic advising by training 10,000 certified experts to guide donors through meaningful, values-aligned giving. ...

What happens when the aid system meant to protect the world’s most vulnerable……vanishes overnight? Earlier this year, the abrupt freeze in USAID funding sent shockwaves through the global nonprofit community. Refugee shelters closed, food distribution stopped, and hospitals ran out of medicine. But even before this crisis, one organization was quietly rewriting the rules of international philanthr...

What happens when the very institutions designed to serve the public are systematically dismantled? Max Stier , President and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service , has dedicated over two decades to strengthening the federal government. But recent events have posed unprecedented challenges to this mission.  In this episode, Max discusses the profound impacts of recent administrative changes o...

In a moment when critical global health programs are under threat due to sweeping USAID cuts, two organizations are stepping up. The Life You Can Save and Founders Pledge have teamed up to launch the Rapid Response Fund, directing urgent philanthropic capital to the highest-impact, evidence-based interventions. Joining us today are Jessica LaMesa , Co-CEO of The Life You Can Save, and David Goldbe...

At Goodwill Industries , the mission isn’t just about thrift stores—it’s about unlocking human potential through work and learning, especially for those society often overlooks. Today, I’m joined by Steve Preston , CEO of Goodwill Industries International, a leader who’s taken his experience from Wall Street to Washington and now to one of North America’s biggest nonprofits. In this episode, we’ll...

My next guest says that most people approach philanthropy with the right heart but the wrong map. They want to give—but don’t know where to start, how to make it matter, or how to ensure it’s truly meaningful. Alex Johnston is the Founding Partner of Building Impact Partners , a philanthropic advisory firm that helps high-capacity donors align their giving with values, strategy, and real impact. H...

If you’ve ever paused at the grocery store, looked at a Fair Trade label, and wondered what it really means—this episode is for you. Paul Rice , the founder and CEO of Fair Trade USA , has spent over two decades proving that ethical sourcing isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also good business. He shares how his time living in rural Nicaragua reshaped his understanding of dignity, aid, and the...

Today, I’m joined by Hali Lee. Her book   The Big We  rethinks philanthropy—shifting it from billionaires to regular folks at the kitchen table, pooling resources through giving circles. I love how she’s turned her Korean geh tradition into a spark for collective change. We’ll explore how she’s shaking up giving, building community, and imagining a future where ‘we’ and not “me” takes the lead. 

Today we're joined by Brenda Asare , chair of the Giving Institute and president and CEO of the Alford Group , a 45 year consultancy that's powered billions in nonprofit impact. With decades of experience, including leading major disaster fundraising efforts, she's tackling today's wild nonprofit landscape. We'll dive into the sector's strains, donor shifts, and how resilie...

Tomorrow, March 14, marks India Giving Day —a vibrant call to action led by the India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA) to unite communities in supporting impactful India-focused nonprofits. On a recent episode of The Business of Giving podcast , I had the privilege of sitting down with Alex Counts , IPA’s Executive Director, whose journey in social impact began with a film and a Fulbright scholarship a...

Welcome to The Business of Giving. I’m your host, Denver Frederick. My guest today is  Grace Bonilla , President and CEO of the United Way of New York City . With a lifelong dedication to helping New Yorkers thrive, Grace leads the organization in addressing systemic poverty, promoting equity, and strengthening communities across the city. The mission of United Way has always been clear: helping N...

Welcome to The Business of Giving. I’m your host, Denver Frederick. Accessing social services in the United States can be a daunting and confusing process, often leaving those in need struggling to find the support they require. One Degree , a pioneering organization, is changing that narrative by creating a user-friendly platform that connects families with critical resources, empowering them to...

Welcome to The Business of Giving . I’m your host, Denver Frederick. Imagine a school where every child receives a hot, nutritious meal every day. For many in Kenya, this is now a reality, thanks to the innovative work of Food4Education . Joining us today is Wawira Njiru , the organization’s founder, whose work is transforming the lives of 450,000 children daily and reshaping how school feeding is...

I’m Denver Frederick , the host of The Business of Giving . My guest today is Christine Squires , CEO of Americares , a global health organization that has been improving health and saving lives for over 45 years. Under Christine’s leadership, Americares supports over 4,000 health centers in 85 countries, responding to an average of 35 emergencies each year while also addressing long-term health c...

I’m Denver Frederick, the host of The Business of Giving. My guest today is Peter Laugharn , CEO of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation , one of the largest family foundations in the United States. Under Peter’s leadership, the Foundation has doubled its grantmaking capacity and expanded its focus across seven core initiatives, tackling issues from homelessness and foster youth in the U.S. to safe dri...

I’m Denver Frederick, the host of The Business of Giving. My guest today is Michael Dowling , CEO of Northwell Health , New York’s largest healthcare provider.  Under his leadership, Northwell has grown from a single hospital into an integrated system, offering everything from ambulatory care to end-of-life services. Dowling is a visionary, redefining healthcare by addressing issues like gun viole...

Education is one of the most powerful tools for creating equity and opportunity, but for millions of children worldwide, access to quality education remains a challenge. One organization is working tirelessly to change that. Joining us today is Kailee Scales, CEO of Pencils of Promise, a global nonprofit dedicated to breaking down the barriers to education in rural communities across Ghana, Guatem...

Welcome to The Business of Giving. I’m your host, Denver Frederick, and today we have a guest who is transforming the landscape of employment around the globe. Dr. Mona Mourshed is the CEO of Generation.org , a nonprofit that has trained over 120,000 adults into new careers across 17 countries and 40 professions. Dr. Mourshed shares the powerful inspiration behind Generation: “Youth across the wor...

Welcome to The Business of Giving. I’m your host, Denver Frederick. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Susan Taylor Batten , President and CEO of ABFE : A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities. For over half a century, ABFE has been a driving force in promoting effective philanthropy within Black communities, striving to advance equity and justice in the philanthropic sector. S...

Welcome to The Business of Giving. I’m your host Denver Frederick. Today, we’re joined by Chris Helfrich , CEO of Eat. Learn. Play. , the foundation founded by Stephen and Ayesha Curry to support children in their adopted hometown of Oakland, California. Focused on three pillars—nutritious meals, education, and play—the foundation has had a transformative impact on thousands of children. One stand...

Welcome to The Business of Giving. I’m your host, Denver Frederick. Did you know that over one billion people worldwide lack access to affordable eyewear? Warby Parker set out to change that. In an industry dominated by high prices, Warby Parker has revolutionized eyewear, offering stylish, affordable options while making a profound social impact. Today, we’re joined by Neil Blumenthal , co-founde...

Welcome to The Business of Giving. I’m your host, Denver Frederick. America’s National Parks are some of the most iconic and cherished landscapes in the world, and their preservation requires constant care and innovative thinking. My guest today is someone who has played a pivotal role in protecting these treasures. Joining me is Will Shafroth , President and CEO of the National Park Foundation ....

I had the opportunity to speak with Bernice Romero, Executive Director of the Norwegian Refugee Council USA, at the Clinton Global Initiative about NRC’s groundbreaking new capital fund. The fund is designed to solarize operations in over 40 countries, significantly improving cost-efficiency and security for displaced communities. Bernice highlighted lessons from a successful pilot project in Suda...