The Giving Done Right Podcast Returns for Season Five 

Listen to the trailer here. 

I’m excited to announce that the Giving Done Right podcast is back for another season!  This season arrives at a particularly crucial moment.  

As we witness significant changes to federal programs and social safety nets in the U.S. — including cuts to food assistance benefits like SNAP and the worldwide impact of the unwinding of USAID — individual donors and private philanthropy face both unique challenges and opportunities for action.  

The landscape of need is shifting dramatically, and the role of charitable giving in filling critical gaps has become more complex and urgent than ever before. 

We launched this podcast in 2020 with the goal of helping donors become smarter and more effective in their giving. Over the years, it’s become a popular and trusted resource for donors who recognize that being truly effective in their generosity requires ongoing listening, learning, reflection, and adaptation. 

This season, we’ll be tackling the pressing questions that donors are grappling with right now. Questions such as: 

• How should donors think about their giving in this moment of the dismantling of key government institutions and social safety nets?  
• What are the biggest ways donors can make a difference internationally in light of enormous cuts to U.S. foreign aid programs? 
• How can everyday donors effectively support democracy and democratic institutions? 
• What role can community foundations play in addressing local needs, and why should donors care about these sometimes-overlooked institutions? 
• What do donors need to know to effectively support refugees and immigrants during times of increased vulnerability? 

To help us navigate these complex questions, we’ll consult with experts and experienced leaders across domains.  

Our first two episodes of the season will come out later this week. In one, we’ll hear from Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation, discussing Bill Gates’ advice for donors now as well as the groundbreaking announcement to spend down the foundation within 25 years. In the second, we talk to Julie Butner, president and CEO of the Tarrant Area Food Bank in Fort Worth, Texas, who discusses the scale of need her organization is able to meet, the current challenges they face, and what funders can do to support vital direct service organizations.  

Our goal this season remains the same as it’s always been: to support donors of all types in enhancing their effectiveness and discovering the joy in their generosity. We hope you’ll subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and join us each week as we navigate these critical conversations together. In times of uncertainty, the philanthropic community’s ability to learn from one another, share wisdom, and act with both urgency and thoughtfulness becomes even more important. 

P.S. If you’re new to the podcast, you can catch up on seasons one, two, three, and four to join the ongoing conversation about what it means to give effectively in our complex world. 

Grace Nicolette is vice president, Programming and External Relations, at CEP, and co-host of the Giving Done Right Podcast.