The Business of Giving

When ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff was catastrophically injured in Iraq in 2006, his family made a vow: if he survived, they’d use their platform to support others returning from war without the same safety net. Nearly 20 years later, that promise lives on through the Bob Woodruff Foundation. Its CEO, Anne Marie Dougherty, has scaled that vision into a national force for connection, dignity, and service—reaching 98.5% of all U.S. veterans through a powerful network of partners. She joins us now to share the Foundation’s remarkable journey—and the quiet acts of kindness that make it all work.

What does it mean to live—and lead—with clarity, restraint, and purpose? Robert Rosenkranz, a renowned investor, philanthropist, and author of The Stoic Capitalist, believes that ancient wisdom offers modern guidance—especially in how we respond to emotion. From founding a private equity firm by risking his entire net worth, to backing civil discourse through Open to Debate, to championing breakthroughs in healthspan science and immersive art, Robert offers a masterclass in rational decision-making and values-driven leadership. You’ll hear why he rejects the idea of “giving back,” how he navigates risk, and why—when it comes to building a life of impact—being busy is no substitute for being thoughtful.

Few issues more urgent—or more misunderstood—than poverty in America. And even fewer solutions as bold as simply giving people cash. Jeff Atwood, the tech entrepreneur behind Stack Overflow, and his partner Betsy Burton, a trained scientist with a deep commitment to equity, are working to change that. Together, they’ve launched a $50 million guaranteed minimum income initiative across some of the poorest rural counties in the country—places that mirror their own family roots. In this episode, Jeff and Betsy share a story that is as personal as it is political. From the hills of West Virginia to their home in Alameda, California, they speak candidly about wealth, dignity, hope, and the American Dream. We’ll explore how their own childhoods and their children have shaped their philanthropy, how storytelling is challenging tired myths about the poor, and why 2025 is the moment to rewrite the social contract in America. This is not your typical conversation about poverty—and it’s not your typical couple trying to solve it. Here is Jeff Atwood and Betsy Burton on The Business of Giving.

My guest today leads an organization with one of the simplest and most powerful models in philanthropy. It’s called 1% for the Planet, and the premise is this: businesses commit 1% of their annual revenue to environmental causes—and 1% for the Planet ensures those funds are directed with purpose and impact. With over 5,000 members in 60 countries and more than $750 million certified in giving, it’s a movement built on clarity, trust, and community. And Kate, who found her leadership voice on a snowy mountain pass at age 18, has carried that spirit of joy, grit, and teamwork into everything she does. She joins us now to talk about movement-building, climate leadership, and the power of collective action.

This week on The Business of Giving, the focus is on one of the most distressing — and solvable — crises in America today: medical debt. Each year, millions of families are forced to choose between paying their bills and getting the care they need. But what if there were a way to erase that debt — not just for a few, but for thousands at a time? That’s exactly what Undue Medical Debt does. Led by CEO Allison Sesso, the organization buys medical debt the way a for-profit company would — but instead of collecting it, they forgive it. The return on investment? For every $1 donated, $100 of medical debt is wiped away. Allison also shares how a nurse working during the pandemic found herself in medical debt at the very hospital where she worked — a stark example of how broken the system is, and why it must change. Here is my conversation with Allison Sesso, CEO of Undue Medical Debt.

My guest today believes that the greatest barrier to nonprofit fundraising success isn’t money—it’s clarity. Kevin L. Brown is the co-founder of Mighty Ally and the author of Fundable & Findable: The Brand-New Way to Fix Your Nonprofit Fundraising. In this conversation, Kevin explains why most organizations are stuck in a donor-chasing cycle and what it takes to become truly fundable and findable. If your organization has ever struggled to articulate why you exist or raise the resources you need, this episode may just shift your entire approach.

What if your supporters could step inside your story—feel it, not just hear it? In this episode of The Business of Giving, I speak with Chip Giller, co-founder of Agog, a groundbreaking philanthropic initiative helping nonprofits explore immersive storytelling through XR, or extended reality. From Human Rights Watch to Harlem youth programs, Chip’s work is proving that the future of nonprofit communication isn’t just visual—it’s emotional, embodied, and unforgettable. If you’re rethinking how your organization moves hearts and drives action, this is a conversation you can’t miss.

This is The Business of Giving. I’m your host, Denver Frederick. Today, we’re joined by Jon Kane, President and CEO of CCS Fundraising, a global leader in strategic fundraising consulting. With a career spanning McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and his own advisory firm, Jon has tripled CCS’s size since 2016, blending for-profit expertise with nonprofit impact. So let’s get started with Jon Kane.

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 helping people rediscover meaning, connection, and purpose. Here’s how she puts it: Get ready for a conversation about reimagining service as a cultural force that heals, unites, and transforms.

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 of the most influential voices championing bold, mission-first approaches in modern philanthropy. In this episode, you’ll discover how to build momentum in uncertain times, leverage donor data effectively, and lead with courageous clarity—essential insights for navigating 2025’s economic challenges. So Let’s get started.

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. In this episode Dien shares why this work is urgent—how shifting wealth, changing demographics, and donor expectations demand a new kind of advisor. We’ll also explore how collaboration and coaching are unlocking the billions sitting idle in donor-advised funds. If you care about the future of giving, this conversation will open your eyes—and maybe your wallet.

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 philanthropy—putting power into the hands of local leaders and reimagining what aid could look like. That organization is GlobalGiving, and at its helm is Victoria Vrana, a veteran systems thinker and relentless advocate for community-led change. As the organization’s CEO, she’s navigating one of the most consequential disruptions to global aid in decades. I mean, shockwave is the right term. I mean, I think it’s like tectonic plates in our sector have shifted really forever. In this episode, Victoria talks about the real-time impact of the funding collapse, what it reveals about the fragility of traditional aid systems, and why GlobalGiving’s founding vision—connecting private capital directly to grassroots leaders—is more urgent than ever. It’s a pivotal moment for the sector—and one that calls for bold leadership.

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 on federal agencies, the resilience of public servants, and the critical importance of maintaining a trustworthy and effective government. He also outlines the Partnership’s adaptive strategies to continue supporting civil servants and engaging the public amidst these challenges.

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 Goldberg, Co-Founder and CEO of Founders Pledge. As David explains, “The heart shouldn’t really decide how we give. It should bring us to give, but the head should be the one that helps us to figure out what to give to.” In this episode, we’ll explore how these organizations are using evidence, speed, and collaboration to fill urgent funding gaps—and how their work might just reshape how philanthropy responds to a global crises.

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 dive into how Goodwill walks alongside people facing barriers, adapts to a changing job landscape, and redefines impact—one life at a time. Stay tuned for a conversation that’s as inspiring as it is insightful.

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. He’s also the author of Money with Meaning: How to Create Joy and Impact through Philanthropy.

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 power of markets. He takes us inside the early criticisms Fair Trade faced, how farmers themselves responded, and why he believes we’re at a pivotal moment in the evolution of conscious capitalism. We’ll also discuss his new book, Every Purchase Matters, and how businesses, consumers, and policymakers alike can create meaningful change—starting with the choices we make every day.

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 resilience is rising to meet the moment.

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 and now fuels a movement to redefine philanthropy for India. With a career spanning microfinance innovation and nonprofit leadership, Alex shared how IPA is fostering collaboration over competition— and why tomorrow’s event could be a turning point for collective giving.