Meet the Grantmakers - Online!

July 12, 2023  11am Pacific

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Anne Aslett, Chief Executive Officer, Elton John AIDS Foundation, London/NYC

Anne is the global Chief Executive Officer of the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) which she has served for almost 20 years. As International Development Director to EJAF UK, she managed more than £60m in grants to programmes in Europe, Africa and Asia, before taking over the UK Foundation as its Executive Director in 2008.  When the US and UK Foundations merged their operations in 2018, Anne assumed her current role.

During Anne’s tenure, the Foundation has become the 6th largest AIDS funder globally; has saved the lives of over 5m of the most marginalized people in the world and raised awareness of HIV amongst more than 100m people. 

Anne joined the Foundation from the commercial sector, where she managed a news information service for the UK leading print and electronic media, following over 5 years in print journalism and documentary film making on health and current affairs issues.  She has served on a number of boards including for Comic Relief, the European Funders Group and most recently the UK’s HIV Commission.

 

Mark S. Lewis, President & Chief Executive Officer, POISE Foundation, Pittsburgh, PA

Mark has led the POISE Foundation since 2002, as its second president, continuing a legacy of community wealth building through philanthropy. The Foundation promotes equity, helping the Black community achieve self-sustaining practices through strategic leadership, collective giving, grantmaking and advocacy. 

Formally established in 1980, built upon visionary work begun in 1957, the Foundation promotes self-sufficiency and economic sustainability supporting organizations that provide mastery of life, business, social, and entrepreneurial skills, uplifting generations. The Foundation has grown from an initial capitalization of $164K to a present value in excess of $13M, returning more than $30M in grants and scholarships to its community. Grants address: Aging, Arts and Culture, Children and Youth, Education, Health and Human Services, and Urban Affairs/Economic Development. The Foundation’s unrestricted grants support organizations using a ‘family lens’ to develop more positive family interactions.

Mr. Lewis is co-founder of African American Funders Group, was instrumental in establishing the Sankofa Fund of Southwest PA, a giving circle comprised of African Americans, and has served on many boards including: Habitat for Humanity Greater Pittsburgh, The Heinz Endowments Advisory Board on Equity, Boy Scouts Laurel Valley,  August Wilson Center, Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management, and Grantmakers of Western PA. 

 

Randy Royster, President & CEO, Albuquerque Community Foundation, Albuquerque, NM

Since 2005, Randy has led the Albuquerque Community Foundation as President and CEO. The Foundation administers a permanent endowment of gifts, large and small, using earnings to make grants to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. The goal is to empower donations of all sizes to have a larger and longer impact than they would have on their own, creating a vibrant Albuquerque community.

Since 1981, the Foundation has awarded over $74 million to nonprofits serving Albuquerque. Under Randy’s leadership, the Foundation’s assets have surpassed $140M. The endowment is managed so it will continue in perpetuity, to support Albuquerque’s future forever. Working with donors, leadership groups and nonprofits, grantmaking is focused on: Animal Welfare, Arts & Culture, Economic & Workforce Development, Education, Environmental & Historic Preservation, Health, and Human Services. 

Randy has been instrumental in collaborative initiatives including “Healthy Neighborhoods Albuquerque,” a place-based, wealth initiative which brings area “anchor institutions” together for buying, hiring, and contracting locally to create significant economic benefit. Because of his work as a director of the Council on Foundations, which has a membership of more than 700 corporate, private, family, and community foundations, and his work as a director with CFLeads, Randy has positively impacted state, regional and national communities. 

 

MEET THE MODERATOR

Angela Richardson, Senior Trainer, The Grantsmanship Center

Angela brings more than 20 years' experience as a nonprofit program and fund developer, strategic planner, and organizational coach. As senior trainer, Angela has coached other trainers for The Grantsmanship Center and trained staff for nonprofit organizations, school districts, governments, faith-based organizations, and colleges and universities. She brings additional expertise in education and the arts, recently delivering a virtual workshop for Broward County Cultural Division, FL as part of the Business Skills for Creatives series. Angela has facilitated many in-person Meet-the-Grantmaker panels in Los Angeles for Project Grantsmanship and for the City of Los Angles, city council members. Recently, Angela trained faculty and community-based nonprofit leaders as part of a Research Proposal Workshop sponsored by UCLA Health Sciences.

May 10, 2023  11am Pacific

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Mark Wm. Johnson, Executive Director, Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC), St. Paul, MN

Mark Johnson is a native Minnesotan and has served as the Executive Director of Minnesota’s Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) since 2014. His prior employment included 24 years working with Conservation Nonprofit organizations and 8 years in his own business as an animal health and farm management consultant.

Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council​​​​​​ is a council of the Minnesota Legislature that makes recommendations for grant funding exceeding $100M annually for projects to restore, enhance, and protect habitat for fish, game, and wildlife in Minnesota. “This is a dream job,” said Mark. “I get to be part of restoring, enhancing and protecting Minnesota’s woods, waters, prairies, and wetland resources so 200 years from now they will be available for critters to live in and for people to enjoy. What could be better than that?”

 

Jacquelyn Lendsey, Interim President and CEO, Washington Area Women's Foundation, Washington, D.C.

Washington Area Women’s Foundation is a community-supported foundation that invests in the power of women and girls of color in the Washington, DC region by opening doors to opportunity, safety and security through grantmaking and advocacy. 

Jackie has 25+ years’ experience leading nonprofit organizations. Since 2012, she’s served as an interim executive professional, guiding organizations through transition. Her expertise includes managing operations, communications and government and community relations, Board governance and education, grants management, program development and advocacy/public policy.

Ms. Lendsey served as Interim Executive Director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute; Interim Director of the Student National Medical Association, and, Interim President/CEO of Voices for America’s Children. She served as consultant/executive director for the Black Philanthropic Alliance, a network of African American professionals who strengthen the Black community in the Washington, DC region. As Vice President for Programs and Communications at the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation Jackie was responsible for leading all programs and communications including $18 million in annual grantmaking and special initiatives.

 

Jeff Yost, President and CEO, Nebraska Community Foundation, Lincoln, NE

Jeff Yost, President and CEO of Nebraska Community Foundation, and his talented team are unleashing abundant local assets, inspiring charitable giving, and connecting ambitious people in 275 hometowns in 83 of Nebraska’s 93 counties. Yost has dedicated the past 25 years of his career to NCF’s mission and asset-based philosophies. Since 1994 NCF and its affiliated funds have reinvested $463 million in Nebraska hometowns.

Prior to NCF, Jeff worked for the State of Nebraska in the governor’s office. Yost is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has served on many boards and advisory councils, including the University of Nebraska President's Advisory Council, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and the Council on Foundations. Yost has taught and provided consulting throughout the United States and internationally in 15 countries. Yost and NCF have been featured in numerous publications including Nonprofit Quarterly, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and The New York Times. He pens a monthly column that is published in newspapers across Nebraska. 

 

MEET THE MODERATOR

Angela Richardson, Senior Trainer, The Grantsmanship Center

Angela brings more than 20 years' experience as a nonprofit program and fund developer, strategic planner, and organizational coach. As senior trainer, Angela has coached other trainers for The Grantsmanship Center and trained staff for nonprofit organizations, school districts, governments, faith-based organizations, and colleges and universities. She brings additional expertise in education and the arts, recently delivering a virtual workshop for Broward County Cultural Division, FL as part of the Business Skills for Creatives series. Angela has facilitated many in-person Meet-the-Grantmaker panels in Los Angeles for PROJECT GRANTSMANSHIP and for the City of Los Angles, city council members. Recently, Angela trained faculty and community-based nonprofit leaders as part of a Research Proposal Workshop sponsored by UCLA Health Sciences.

January 18, 2023  11am Pacific

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Angelique Power, President & CEO, The Skillman Foundation, Detroit, MI 

Angelique leads The Skillman Foundation, a Detroit-based private independent foundation that puts all of its resources toward brilliant Detroit youth—their justice, their power, and their promise. 

With assets over $550 million, The Skillman Foundation provides approximately $22 million in grants annually. Under Angelique’s tenure, The Skillman Foundation has led a community-rooted strategic planning process to rethink its grantmaking, metrics, and partners. Power architected a racial equity audit internally of all grants, operations, and the endowment, allowing for transparency and accountability to community as well as mission-alignment in all policies and practices. 

Prior to The Skillman Foundation, Power was president of the Chicago-based Field Foundation and a program director at the Joyce Foundation. Additionally, she led communications and community engagement at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and community relations efforts across the nation for Target Corporation. 

Power chairs the board of 6018North and serves as a board member for CultureSource and Detroit Public Theatre. She serves on Mayor Duggan’s Workforce Development Board. Angelique has a BA from University of Michigan and both an MFA and an honorary doctorate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

 

Dorothy Fleisher, Ph.D., MPA, MSW, Senior Program Director, W.M. Keck Foundation, Los Angeles, CA

Dorothy leads the Southern California Program of the W. M. Keck Foundation, a national philanthropy focusing on pioneering research in science and medicine and programs that enrich the lives of children, youth and families in Southern California.  Her primary responsibility is overseeing grantmaking in the areas of arts and culture, civic and community services, health care, precollegiate education, and early childhood development.  She has been with the Foundation since 1999. 

Prior to joining the Foundation, Dr. Fleisher worked for the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, where she launched several major initiatives, including a network of school-based family centers. Currently, she is a founder and member of the L.A. Partnership for Early Childhood Investment, and a steering committee member of Southern California Grantmakers Foster Care Funders Collaborative.  

In 1996 she was honored by the California Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers as Social Worker of the Year, and in 1998 she was a recipient of the YWCA of Greater Los Angeles’ Incredible Woman Making History Award. She earned her doctorate in Social Work from the University of Southern California with a focus on social policy and administration. 

 

Eric Pearson, President and CEO, El Paso Community Foundation, El Paso, TX

Eric has led the El Paso Community Foundation since 2011. He is a native El Pasoan who came up through public schools and the University of Texas at El Paso, and worked for about 20 years in broadcast journalism and media prior to joining the El Paso Community Foundation in 2003. He has worked to engage the El Paso Community Foundation in solid leadership projects.

Grants, community convening, and leadership projects define the El Paso Community Foundation. The Foundation has grown since 1977 to approximately $195 million in assets, and in the process has given more than $249 million in charitable gifts and projects to West Texas, Southern New Mexico and northern Mexico.

 

MEET THE MODERATOR

Angela Richardson, Senior Trainer, The Grantsmanship Center

Angela brings more than 20 years' experience as a nonprofit program and fund developer, strategic planner, and organizational coach. As senior trainer, Angela has coached other trainers for The Grantsmanship Center and trained staff for nonprofit organizations, school districts, governments, faith-based organizations, and colleges and universities. She brings additional expertise in education and the arts, recently delivering a virtual workshop for Broward County Cultural Division, FL as part of the Business Skills for Creatives series. Angela has facilitated many in-person Meet-the-Grantmaker panels in Los Angeles for PROJECT GRANTSMANSHIP and for the City of Los Angles, city council members. Recently, Angela trained faculty and community-based nonprofit leaders as part of a Research Proposal Workshop sponsored by UCLA Health Sciences.

 

October 12, 2022  11am Pacific  

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Recording coming soon!

 

Marsha E. Bonner, Senior Director of Programs, Community Grantmaking, and Special Initiatives, Annenberg Foundation, Los Angeles, CA

Marsha joined the Annenberg Foundation in 2015 and has close to 40 years of grantmaking experience. At the Annenberg Foundation, she is responsible for oversight of Programs, Grants Administration, the Alchemy program – a capacity building and training initiative – and the impact investing program.

A graduate of Princeton University, she has served on the board of more than 20 philanthropic organizations.

 

Jennifer Killian, Program Officer, Dyson Foundation, Millbrook, NY

Jennifer is responsible for many of the Foundation’s grant making programs, including the Management Assistance Mini-Grant Program, which provides funding for Mid-Hudson Valley nonprofit organizations to strengthen infrastructure and find greater efficiencies in administration, operations, resource development, and programming.

Jennifer formerly served as Vice President of Programs at the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley where she was responsible for monitoring and assessing programs, grants and scholarship funds, as well as developing new initiatives and managing annual grantmaking of $3.5M. Previously, Jennifer served as the Hudson Valley Regional Manager for the New York Council of Nonprofits, providing a wide array of training and technical assistance services to nonprofits throughout Hudson Valley and New York State. In that position, she supported the Dutchess County Coalition of Nonprofits and managed the Interim Executive Leadership Program as well as the Federal ARRA Strengthening Communities Fund, a nonprofit capacity building program supporting NYC-based nonprofits with economic recovery services after the 2008 recession.

Jennifer received her Master of Public Administration degree from Marist College and a Bachelors’ Degree in Sociology from Rutgers University.

 

Richard (Ric) L. DeVore, President, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Detroit, MI

Ric became president of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan in April 2022. The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is one of the top 25 community foundations in the country. Since its inception, the organization has distributed more than $1.4 billion through approximately 85,000 grants, mostly to nonprofit organizations throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St. Clair, and Livingston counties. 

Previously, Ric was executive vice president and regional president of PNC Bank in Detroit and Southeast Michigan where he also served as PNC’s lead banker in the region and chaired the local PNC Foundation. He led PNC’s metro Detroit education and equity initiatives associated with the bank’s 2020 commitment to deploy $1 billion nationwide to combat systemic racism and support the economic empowerment of African Americans. In 2015, Ric was named a Detroit News Michiganian of the Year for his leadership of PNC’s Grow Up Great program, which focuses on pre-K education.

Ric holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in business from Wayne State University. 

 

MEET THE MODERATOR

Angela D. Richardson, Senior Trainer, The Grantsmanship Center

Angela brings more than 20 years' experience as a nonprofit program and fund developer, strategic planner, and organizational coach. As senior trainer, Angela has coached other trainers for The Grantsmanship Center and trained staff for nonprofit organizations, school districts, governments, faith-based organizations, and colleges and universities. She brings additional expertise in education and the arts, recently delivering a virtual workshop for Broward County Cultural Division, FL as part of the Business Skills for Creatives series. Angela has facilitated many in-person Meet-the-Grantmaker panels in Los Angeles for PROJECT GRANTSMANSHIP and for the City of Los Angles city council members. Recently, Angela trained faculty and community-based nonprofit leaders as part of a Research Proposal Workshop sponsored by UCLA Health Sciences.

July 13, 2022  

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Michelle Kauhane, Senior Vice President & Chief Impact Officer, Hawai'i Community Foundation, Honolulu, HI

Michelle Kauhane is the Senior Vice President & Chief Impact Officer at Hawaii Community Foundation. Previously, she served as President and CEO of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement where she engaged in lending and investment services deploying capital in underserved communities statewide. Michelle has a strong background in non-profit management, community based economic development and public policy advocacy. She has served on numerous local and national boards and currently sits on the Community Advisory Council at the Federal Reserve of San Francisco to offer perspectives on the economic and financial service needs of low- and moderate- income populations. She is a graduate of Gonzaga University and Kamehemeha Schools Kapalama.

 

Anthony Richardson, President, The George Gund Foundation, Cleveland, OH

Anthony Richardson became president of The George Gund Foundation in 2022 following his role as executive director of The Nord Family Foundation in Amherst, OH, where he had also served as a program officer. 

In 2017, Anthony was appointed by Ohio’s Superintendent of Public Instruction to chair the Lorain Academic Distress Commission, a joint local and state committee established to turnaround the Lorain City School District. In 2012, as civic and political chair for the Lorain City Schools Levy Committee, he helped the school district pass its first new levy for operating dollars since 1992. Anthony was one of the youngest elected city officials when he became Councilman-At-Large for the City of Lorain in 2011. During his second term, as chair of the police, fire, and legislative standing committee, he sponsored legislation to increase hiring goal percentages for racial minorities and women on city projects. That same year, Anthony was invited by the Obama Administration to attend a “Working Meeting on Fiscal Cliff” at the White House.

Anthony serves as a board member for Funders Together to End Homelessness, The Center for Effective Philanthropy, and The Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation.

 

Sarah Roberts, Vice President of Programs, Inasmuch Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK

Sarah Roberts has worked with Inasmuch Foundation for more than 18 years and currently serves as Vice President of Programs.

Sarah is also Vice Chair of Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board of Directors, appointed by Governors Kevin Stitt and Mary Fallin. Sarah serves on the Board of Directors for: United Way of Central Oklahoma, Sunbeam Family Services (Chair 2020-21), The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools, Oklahoma City County Health Department Foundation, and Oklahoma City Police Athletic League (PAL). Previously, as Chair of the Board of ReMerge, Sarah co-chaired the ReMerge capital campaign which resulted in a $10 million state-of-the-art facility.

In 2020, Sarah was recognized by Pivot as Advocate of the Year for building collaborative efforts to address youth homelessness in Oklahoma City. In 2008, Sarah received the Forty under 40 Award from OKC Business Magazine. 

 

MEET THE MODERATOR

Angela D. Richardson, Senior Trainer, The Grantsmanship Center

Angela brings more than 20 years' experience as a nonprofit program and fund developer, strategic planner, and organizational coach. As senior trainer, Angela has coached other trainers for The Grantsmanship Center and trained staff for nonprofit organizations, school districts, governments, faith-based organizations, and colleges and universities. She brings additional expertise in education and the arts, recently delivering a virtual workshop for Broward County Cultural Division, FL as part of the Business Skills for Creatives series. Angela has facilitated many in-person Meet-the-Grantmaker panels in Los Angeles for PROJECT GRANTSMANSHIP and for the City of Los Angles, city council members. Recently, Angela trained faculty and community-based nonprofit leaders as part of a Research Proposal Workshop sponsored by UCLA Health Sciences.

APRIL 13, 2022

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Nicole Wynter, Senior Director of Community & Investment Operations, Waco Foundation, Waco, TX

After working in the nonprofit sector for more than a decade, Nicole Wynter joined Waco Foundation in late 2010 with the vision of improving quality of life for McLennan County residents. Today she serves as the Sr. Director of Community Investment and Operations. In that capacity, she facilitates the Foundation’s proactive and responsive capacity building and grantmaking programs, compliance with national standards for community foundations and lends support to the organization’s operational and HR responsibilities.

Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a Master in Public Policy and Administration, and a Master of Professional Studies in Community & Economic Development.

 

Rose Weahkee, Ph.D., Director, Office of Urban Indian Health Programs, Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD

Dr. Weahkee, a member of the Navajo Nation, is Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS) Office of Urban Indian Health Programs. The IHS is the principal federal health care advocate and provider of health care services for American Indians and Alaska Natives. She provides leadership in the administration of agreements with 41 urban Indian organizations. These 41 UIOs are 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that provide culturally appropriate and quality health care and referral services for urban Indians throughout the United States in 22 states. Previously, she served as director of field operations for the Phoenix Area IHS, helping to oversee the delivery of health care services to more than 170,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Before joining the IHS, Dr. Weahkee served for 8 years as the administrative clinical director for United American Indian Involvement, Inc. in Los Angeles. She has received the American Psychological Association’s Early Career Award in the Public Interest, the prestigious Luana Reyes Leadership Award and a Presidential Citation by the American Psychological Association for her lifelong commitment to multi- cultural issues and her work in psychology.

 

Julio Marcial, Vice President of Programs, Liberty Hill Foundation, Los Angeles, CA

Julio Marcial oversees foundation-relations and strategy; partnerships with government and other sectors; and oversees public policy, research and evaluation. In addition, Julio guides the Foundation’s youth and transformative justice portfolio, including the provision of grant-making, network building, public policy and capacity building supports. 

Julio has significant philanthropy experience, beginning his grant-making career in 1998 at The California Wellness Foundation, a $1 billion health equity-focused foundation in Los Angeles. Most recently, Julio served as a Program Director, where he managed a combined grants portfolio of more than $60 million focused on criminal justice, public safety, and other public health issue areas.

 

MEET THE MODERATOR

Angela Richardson, Senior Trainer, The Grantsmanship Center

Angela brings more than 20 years' experience as a nonprofit program and fund developer, strategic planner, and organizational coach. As senior trainer, Angela has coached other trainers for The Grantsmanship Center and trained staff for nonprofit organizations, school districts, governments, faith-based organizations, and colleges and universities. She brings additional expertise in education and the arts, recently delivering a virtual workshop for Broward County Cultural Division, FL as part of the Business Skills for Creatives series. Angela has facilitated many in-person Meet-the-Grantmaker panels in Los Angeles for PROJECT GRANTSMANSHIP and for the City of Los Angles, city council members. Recently, Angela trained faculty and community-based nonprofit leaders as part of a Research Proposal Workshop sponsored by UCLA Health Sciences.

JANUARY 19, 2022

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Sol Anderson, President and CEO, Evanston Community Foundation, Evanston, IL

Sol directs all ECF operations, acting as the Foundation's steward; demonstrating strategic leadership; and, overseeing the organization’s management, operations, and communications. Sol joined ECF in June 2021. Most recently, he served as Executive Director for I Grow Chicago, a nonprofit in the Englewood community that works to eradicate the roots of violence. Previously, Sol served as the Chicago Executive Director of LIFT Incorporated, an organization that partners with parents to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and to build prosperity. Earlier in his extensive career, Sol served in a variety of leadership roles for the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing, Cristo Rey Community Center and SCORE! Educational Centers. Sol has been a contributing member of the Evanston community for 15 years where he is thrilled to be raising his family. He holds a BA and an MBA from Michigan State University.

 

Gina Stilp, Executive Director, Zilber Family Foundation, Milwaukee, WI

Gina is executive director of the Zilber Family Foundation, a private grantmaking institution dedicated to increasing access to social and economic opportunity and improving the quality of life in neighborhoods. Gina collaborates with the board of directors to guide the Foundation’s strategic planning and grantmaking, and oversees its programs, community affairs, and operations. She joined the Foundation in 2010 as a program officer to support the implementation of the Zilber Neighborhood Initiative, a $50 million initiative to support local leaders and neighborhood revitalization efforts in three Milwaukee neighborhoods. Gina began her career at New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity where she helped facilitate the construction of hundreds of affordable housing units in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Gina has a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Chicago and an MBA from Marquette University. She lives in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood with her husband and son.  

 

Tim Greseth, Executive Director, Oregon Wildlife Foundation, Portland, OR

Tim has led Oregon Wildlife Foundation since 2008. The Foundation has been an important force in conserving and preserving fish, wildlife, and their natural habitat in Oregon for over forty years. Through partnerships with other nonprofits, private industry, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the foundation has directed millions of dollars in funding to fish, wildlife and habitat projects throughout Oregon. Notable campaigns include purchase of 17 miles of the lower Deschutes River, restoration of salmon habitat in coastal and Willamette Valley streams, and restoration of two of Oregon's iconic lakes. Tim has also spearheaded education and outreach programs along with increasingly effective social media to engage and inspire Oregon residents.

MEET THE MODERATOR

Angela Richardson, Senior Trainer, The Grantsmanship Center

Angela brings more than 20 years' experience as a nonprofit program and fund developer, strategic planner, and organizational coach. As senior trainer, Angela has coached other trainers for The Grantsmanship Center and trained staff for nonprofit organizations, school districts, governments, faith-based organizations, and colleges and universities. She brings additional expertise in education and the arts, recently delivering a virtual workshop for Broward County Cultural Division, FL as part of the Business Skills for Creatives series. Angela has facilitated many in-person Meet-the-Grantmaker panels in Los Angeles for PROJECT GRANTSMANSHIP and for the City of Los Angles, city council members. Recently, Angela trained faculty and community-based nonprofit leaders as part of a Research Proposal Workshop sponsored by UCLA Health Sciences.

OCTOBER 27, 2021

PDF of Grantmaker Profiles

 

Ivye L. Allen, Ph.D., President, Foundation for the Mid South, Jackson, MS

Dr. Allen leads this regional foundation serving Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The Foundation funds programs and initiatives that focus on community development, education, health and wellness, and wealth building. Since its inception in 1990, the Foundation has leveraged more than $750 million to the region. Ivye’s prior work includes serving as Chief Operating Officer for MDC Inc. and Director of Fellowship Programs for the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Before working in the nonprofit arena, Ivye’s early experience was in finance and marketing for fortune 100 corporations. Her education includes a Ph.D. in public policy from Columbia University; an M.S. in Urban Affairs from Hunter College; an M.B.A. in marketing and international business from New York University; and a bachelor’s in economics from Howard University. 

 

Sara Montrose, Program Officer, Weingart Foundation, Los Angeles, CA

Sara Montrose manages a portfolio of grants through the Foundation's responsive grantmaking program. Prior to coming to the Foundation in 2007, Ms. Montrose spent seven years as a Program Manager at Voices for Children, the San Diego affiliate of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Associate advocating for children in foster care. Ms. Montrose was also an elementary school teacher for several years in New York City and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Currently, Ms. Montrose serves as the Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of Heritage Square Museum, a collection of eight historic structures in Northeast LA. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, she holds a bachelor's degree with a major in psychology and a minor in Latin American studies. 

 

Mark D. Constantine, Ph.D., President & CEO, Richmond Memorial Health Foundation, Richmond, VA

Richmond Memorial Health Foundation works to foster an equitable and healthy Richmond region through grant making, research, convenings, and impact investing.  Prior to joining RMHF, he served as senior vice president at the Jessie Ball duPont Fund in Jacksonville, Florida, where he directed the Program-Related Investment and affordable housing activities of the Fund.  Dr. Constantine served for more than a decade as a consultant to foundations and national nonprofit organizations on issues related to governance, strategy, and learning. His clients included First Nations Development Institute, Ford Foundation, the Lilly Endowment, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Dr. Constantine has authored two books, Wit and Wisdom: Unleashing the Philanthropic Imagination (2009) and Travelers on the Journey: Pastors Talk about Their Lives and Commitments (2005). Dr. Constantine holds a PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business (Duke University) and a Master of Theological Studies degree from Duke Divinity School.

MEET THE MODERATOR

Angela Richardson, Senior Trainer, The Grantsmanship Center

Angela brings more than 20 years' experience as a nonprofit program and fund developer, strategic planner, and organizational coach. As senior trainer, Angela has coached other trainers for The Grantsmanship Center and trained staff for nonprofit organizations, school districts, governments, faith-based organizations, and colleges and universities. She brings additional expertise in education and the arts, recently delivering a virtual workshop for Broward County Cultural Division, FL as part of the Business Skills for Creatives series. Angela has facilitated many in-person Meet-the-Grantmaker panels in Los Angeles for PROJECT GRANTSMANSHIP and for the City of Los Angles, city council members. Recently, Angela trained faculty and community-based nonprofit leaders as part of a Research Proposal Workshop sponsored by UCLA Health Sciences.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021 PDF of Grantmaker Profiles   August 18, 2021 Zoom Event Captioning FAQ    MEET THE PANEL

Isaiah M. Oliver, President and CEO, Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Flint MI

Isaiah advocates for an inclusive approach to philanthropy that listens to and works with the people of the community. He focuses on developing true partnerships which honor relationships and people. He leads the Foundation’s strategic priorities around improving literacy, increasing access to healthy food, strengthening resident-led neighborhood improvements, and providing critical resources to the children affected by the Flint Water Crisis. Previously, he also led the foundation’s grantmaking operations. Currently, he serves on the board of directors of Uptown Reinvestment Corporation and Flint Cultural Center Corporation, as Advisor to the Michigan Forum for African Americans in Philanthropy, and on the board of CFLeads which helps U.S. community foundations galvanize action on the critical issues of our time.

Rachel Roth, Executive Director, Crail-Johnson Foundation, San Pedro, CA

Rachel served as Program Officer for the foundation beginning in 2013. In 2019, she became Executive Director, responsible for all aspects of the Foundation, with the exception of investment management. Rachel attended the University of California, Irvine and Lewis & Clark College receiving a B.A. in Philosophy and Otis College of Art & Design, Los Angeles receiving a Certificate in Graphic Design. From 2003 until 2012, after working as a freelance designer, Rachel served as Executive Director for Roth Family Foundation and remains an active trustee/board member. Currently, Rachel is Chair of the Executive Committee of the LA Partnership for Early Childhood Investment, Co-chair of a Liberty Hill Foundation donor-advised fund, and serves on the Family Philanthropy Advisory Council for Southern CA Grantmakers.

Thomas Hilbink, Director, Grant Making Support Group, Open Society Foundations, New York, NY

Tom leads efforts to foster a shared culture of grant making across the Open Society's global network of programs and foundations through policy, training, and knowledge development. Previously, Tom was senior program officer with Open Society U.S. Programs, overseeing portfolios on constitutional and legal advocacy, political corruption, transparency, and LGBTI rights. He also developed and led a portfolio on civic engagement and government reform in New Orleans and was assistant professor of legal studies University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Hilbink's work with government and civil society includes positions at the U.S. Court of Appeals (10th Circuit), the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the UN International Law Commission, the American Civil Liberties Union, and SOS Racisme-Catalunya..

MEET THE PANEL MODERATOR

Angela Richardson, Senior Trainer, The Grantsmanship Center

Angela brings more than 20 years' experience as a nonprofit program and ;fund developer, strategic planner, and organizational coach. As senior trainer, Angela has coached other trainers for The Grantsmanship Center and trained staff for nonprofit organizations, school districts, governments, faith-based organizations, and colleges and universities. She brings additional expertise in education and the arts, recently delivering a virtual workshop for Broward County Cultural Division, FL as part of the Business Skills for Creatives series. Angela has facilitated many in-person Meet-the-Grantmaker panels in Los Angeles for PROJECT GRANTSMANSHIP and for the City of Los Angles, city council members. Recently, Angela trained faculty and community-based nonprofit leaders as part of a Research Proposal Workshop sponsored by UCLA Health Sciences.

MEET THE PANEL

WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2021 Audio Recording of Event Automated Transcript Created by Zoom Software PDF of Grantmaker Profiles   May 26, 2021 Zoom Event Captioning FAQ

Jackie Statum Allen, Education Portfolio Director, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, MN

Jackie joined the Bush Foundation as the Education Portfolio Director in 2018. She manages the strategy, programs, and partnerships for the Foundation’s education initiative, which focuses on making education more relevant for students in terms of who they are, how they learn, and where they want to go.

Previously, Jackie worked for more than a decade in public school district administration which included leading the Office of Strategic Planning, Policy and Grants Development for Saint Paul Public Schools and working in operations and budget management with Chicago Public Schools. Jackie, originally from St. Louis, Missouri, has advanced degrees from Stanford University and Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management. 

Paul Moore, Director of Programs, David Bohnett Foundation, Los Angeles, CA

Paul has worked for more than a decade at the David Bohnett Foundation. As Director of Programs, every aspect of the Foundation’s grant-making process comes under his purview, including monitoring grant requests and grantee reports, conducting site visits, making funding recommendations, and representing the David Bohnett Foundation at community and industry events. Paul also serves on the Board of Directors of CenterLink, the national association of LGBTQ Community Centers, the Friends of Runyon Canyon, and an Advisory Board Member of the USC Marshall School of Business Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab.

Tory Irgang, Executive Director, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Jamestown, NY

Tory has served as Executive Director for the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation since 2017. With the help of a dynamic team of seven employees, Ms. Irgang maintains oversight of a $122 million endowment portfolio that makes more than $3.2 million in local grants each year. She is committed to building a future for the Chautauqua region that honors its past and embraces opportunities for growth and renaissance. Previously, she served for seven years as Executive Director for the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County and worked in both the government and not-for-profit sectors securing and managing state and federal grants for the health and human service sector in Chautauqua County.  

MEET THE PANEL MODERATOR

Angela Richardson, Senior Trainer, The Grantsmanship Center

Angela brings more than 20 years' experience as a nonprofit program & fund developer, strategic planner, and organizational coach. Angela has trained other trainers and trained staff for nonprofit organizations, school districts, governments, faith-based organizations, and colleges and universities. And she brings additional expertise in education and the arts. Angela has facilitated many Meet-the-Grantmaker panels in Los Angeles for Project Grantsmanship and for the City of Los Angles, city council members.

MEET THE PANEL

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 Audio Recording of Event Automated Transcript Created by Zoom Software PDF of Grantmaker Profiles   Feb 24, 2021 Zoom Event Captioning FAQ

Wendy Garen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, Los Angeles, CA

Wendy became President and CEO of the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation in 2008 after working for the Foundation for more than twenty years. Previously, Wendy was Executive Director of the Los Angeles Child Care and Development Council, Program Manager at Children’s Home Society of Orange County, Chair of Southern California Grantmakers, and founding staff member of the children’s nonprofit Crystal Stairs. As a member of the Women’s Leadership Board at the Harvard Kennedy School, she traveled with delegations to Egypt and South Africa. Wendy also currently serves on the advisory board of the Center for Philanthropy and Public Policy at USC.

Maurice "Mo" Green,  Executive Director, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, Winston-Salem, NC

The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation is a private, family foundation that has been a catalyst for positive change in North Carolina for 80 years and invested $608 million into NC. Soon after Mo joined ZSR in 2016, the Foundation launched a statewide listening and learning tour called “Mo Wants To Know,” where Mo, Trustees, staff and ZSR’s Community Leadership Council traveled across the state hearing directly from leaders and community members about trends, challenges, opportunities, successes and ideas for making North Carolina better. Previously, as superintendent of Guilford County Schools, Mo completed the district's first-ever strategic plan which resulted in increased graduation rates and other impressive academic and non-academic student achievements. Mo began his career as a lawyer in private practice.

Kevin Wiberg, Philanthropic Advisor for Community Engagement, The Vermont Community Foundation, Middlebury, VT

Kevin brings perspectives as both a grantmaker, in his current position as Philanthropic Advisor for Community Engagement at the Vermont Community Foundation, and as a grantseeker who previously worked as program development director for a community action agency where he raised millions of dollars in grant funding. As a community activist, Kevin has led collaborations with community partners to conceptualize, research, and finance a multitude of projects from the arts to more pragmatic needs such as low-income home weatherization. Kevin also served as Senior Trainer for The Grantsmanship Center.

MEET THE PANEL MODERATOR

Angela Richardson, Senior Trainer, The Grantsmanship Center

Angela brings more than 20 years' experience as a nonprofit program & fund developer, strategic planner, and organizational coach. Angela has trained other trainers and trained staff for nonprofit organizations, school districts, governments, faith-based organizations, and colleges and universities. And she brings additional expertise in education and the arts. Angela has facilitated many Meet-the-Grantmaker panels in Los Angeles for Project Grantsmanship and for the City of Los Angles, city council members.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020
 PDF of Grantmaker Profiles Oct 14, 2020

 

Roland Palencia, Community Benefits Director, L.A. Care Health Plan

Roland Palencia is the Community Benefits Director and a corporate trainer at L.A. Care Health Plan, the largest public health plan in the nation. He's the former Executive Director of Clinica Monseñor Oscar A. Romero and Equality California. Prior executive roles ;include Regional Director at The California Endowment, and Chief of Operations and Vice-President at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Numerous awards honor Roland's decades of activism and advocacy on behalf of marginalized and under resourced populations. In the 1980s, Roland was an early founder of the LGBTQ Latin@ movement in the greater Los Angeles area.

 

Jennifer Leonard, President & CEO, Rochester Area Community Foundation

Jennifer Leonard has overseen the growth of one of New York State’s most significant foundations, which distributed $37M in 2019. Rochester Area Community Foundation and its ACTRochester.org affiliate help drive and inform the conversation about equity and vitality in their upstate New York region. Jennifer led implementation of the first national standards for community foundations and chaired their leadership group from 2004-2006. She served as California Community Foundation’s grants vice president and worked nationally for the American Heart Association, The Grantsmanship Center, and as a writer and consultant.

 

Michael Renner, Strategist, Missouri Foundation for Health

Michael stumbled into the grantmaking world three decades ago and has seen firsthand its evolution from simply dispensing funds for good work to investing in good work designed for lasting impact. During his 15 years with Missouri Foundation for Health, Michael has championed using the power of philanthropy to accelerate positive change.

As an independent philanthropic foundation, MFH works to eliminate the underlying causes of health inequities, transform systems, and enable individuals and communities to thrive through its partnership, experience, knowledge, and funding.

 

Angela Richardson, Senior Trainer, The Grantsmanship Center

Angela brings more than 20 years' experience as a nonprofit program & fund developer, strategic planner, and organizational coach. Angela has trained other trainers and trained staff for nonprofit organizations, school districts, governments, faith-based organizations, and colleges and universities. And she brings additional expertise in education and the arts. Angela has facilitated many Meet-the-Grantmaker panels in Los Angeles for Project Grantsmanship and for the City of Los Angles, city council members.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2020

Audio Recording of Event<

Automated Transcript Created by Zoom Software

PDF of Grantmaker Profiles

Watch Recording

 

Darrin Goss Sr., President & Chief Executive Officer, Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina

Darrin is a leader across sectors, including government, nonprofits, higher education and private industry. Previously, Darrin worked as President & CEO of Capital Area United Way in Baton Rouge, LA..

Coastal Community Foundation serves nine counties along South Carolina’s coast, driven by the values of stewardship, integrity, inclusion with equity, and courage. Recent services include disaster response efforts for major storms such as Hurricane Florence, and the creation of the Lowcountry Unity Fund in the wake of the Mother Emanuel AME Church massacre to support causes addressing systemic racism.

Julie Voyles, Senior Program Officer, The Denver Foundation

Julie brings 29 years' of experience in philanthropy and nonprofits, including social work and advocacy. Julie’s focus is on strategically tackling broad societal issues for cultural, systemic and policy change.

The Denver Foundation works with donors, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders fueling philanthropy with community grants focusing on: Basic Human Needs, Economic Opportunity, Education, and Leadership & Equity. Special Programs include Strengthening Neighborhoods, Social Venture Partners Denver, and The Colorado Nonprofit Loan Fund.

Dallas Dishman, Executive Director, David Geffen Foundation

Dallas has served as executive director since 2002, and currently oversees more than $30M in annual, domestic grants. Dallas also serves as Arts & Cultural Affairs Commissioner the City of West Hollywood.

The David Geffen Foundation has a very strong preference for projects located in Los Angeles and New York City prompted by the interests of its very active benefactor, Mr. David Geffen. The foundation's five principal funding areas are: 1) AIDS/HIV; 2) civil liberties; 3) the arts; 4) issues of concern to the Jewish community; and 5) healthcare. 

MEET THE PANEL MODERATOR

Angela Richardson, Senior Trainer, The Grantsmanship Center

Angela brings more than 20 years' experience as a nonprofit program & fund developer, strategic planner, and organizational coach. Angela has trained other trainers and trained staff for nonprofit organizations, school districts, governments, faith-based organizations, and colleges and universities. And she brings additional expertise in education and the arts. Angela has facilitated many Meet-the-Grantmaker panels in Los Angeles for Project Grantsmanship and for the City of Los Angles, city council members.