In this dandy episode of Let’s Hear It, Eric Brown sits down with Grace Nicolette from the Center for Effective Philanthropy to make sense of the phenomenon that is MacKenzie Scott’s revolutionary approach to giving.
Grace is the Vice President for Programming and External Relations at the Center for Effective Philanthropy and the co-host with Phil Buchanan of the really terrific (and we’re not just saying that!), Giving Done Right Podcast, which kicked off its fourth season on September 19.
Grace shares fascinating insights from CEP’s multi-year study of Scott’s “surprise philanthropy” – those headline-grabbing, unsolicited gifts that have sent shockwaves through the nonprofit world. We’re talking transformative levels of funding that have left many organizations asking, “Is this for real?”
But it’s not just about the numbers. Grace dives into the meaty questions this approach raises: How are nonprofits handling this sudden influx of cash? Is this the end of strategic philanthropy as we know it? And what can other funders learn from Scott’s bold experiment?
As a recipient of Scott’s generosity themselves, CEP offers a unique insider-outsider perspective. Grace candidly discusses how their own $10 million gift has shaped their work and thinking.
Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, a funder, or simply curious about how big money can create big change, this episode delivers. It’s a thoughtful exploration of a philanthropic shake-up that’s rewriting the rules of giving, delivered with CEP’s signature blend of data-driven insights and real-world experience.
Tune in for a conversation that’s sure to challenge your assumptions and maybe, just maybe, make you rethink everything you thought you knew about effective philanthropy.
LISTEN HERE
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