The Boston Foundation’s Post

Elaine Chu, embodies the values that we espouse at 21/64: integrity, justice, relationships, and innovation. Throughout her career, she has learned to seamlessly blend SELF and ROLE, to the great benefit of the families and institutions she serves. Based in Seattle, WA, Elaine is a vice president of Philanthropic Strategies for Fidelity Charitable®. Since 2022, she has led a team of philanthropic strategists in the Private Donor Group that advises Fidelity Charitable’s most generous donors on how they can use their charitable resources to meaningfully advance the causes they care about. Earlier in her career, Elaine was Director of Philanthropic Services at the Seattle Foundation. Currently, she is a board member for Green River College, a public community college focused on global workforce development and civic engagement. This month, Elaine will be named the Wonderful Woman of Color with the Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy (WOC)® to kick off Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Thank you, Elaine, for bringing your authentic self to the 21/64 Learning Community and for enriching all of us with your ideas and the example you set. IN A FEW SENTENCES, WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE? To make this world a better place for the next generation, personally and professionally. My favorite quote on this is “we don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” I use this as my north star to change the narrative that we lead with selflessness. I want to continue to encourage children, young adults, and parents through engagement and tools they can use to become champions for causes and communities they care deeply about. WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR WORK? I get to build relationships and meet wonderful families who lead with empathy, kindness, and humbleness. They are intentional and thoughtful in their approaches to giving. I find joy in working with families to connect the dots and advise them in their planning to maximize their impact to nonprofits and communities. WHAT IS A BURNING QUESTION YOU HAVE FOR THIS COMMUNITY? What does success look like to you when working with families in philanthropy? I know we tend to immediately gravitate to the quantitative side when we think about success and impact, but our work goes beyond that as we build trust and relationships. WHAT WAS THE LAST SHOW YOU BINGED-WATCHED? Ted Lasso! The show reminded me a lot about teamwork, relationships, friendships, and how it takes a community to work together.

Trust-based philanthropy doesn’t start in the right place: Trust is only one piece of the puzzle for how philanthropic partners can achieve the most impact There’s been a lot of discussion the past few years on trust-based philanthropy, a model that seeks to shift power dynamics by providing fewer funding restrictions and putting more trust in nonprofit leaders. While fundraisers debate its merits and others highlight its successes, one crucial point often goes unspoken: Trust is not the starting point—it’s the outcome of a deeper, more intentional process.  http://dlvr.it/THMM3n

Strategic philanthropy in highly affluent families is a captivating blend of wealth, influence, and societal impact. This article from our Senior Wealth Advisor, Cory Gagnon, offers a unique insight into the evolving world of high-impact giving, revealing intricate challenges and transformative potential of modern philanthropy. In the article, Cory explores what ultra-wealthy families must consider to maximize the effectiveness and legacy of their charitable efforts. Covering aspects from aligning giving with core family values, embracing failure as a pathway to innovation, to harnessing the power of collaborative philanthropy, this piece speaks to the multifaceted nature of strategic giving. After delving into this article on elevating ultra-high-new-worth family philanthropy, what innovative approaches would you suggest for families looking to amplify their charitable impact? Full Article: https://lnkd.in/gMJs8vRa #FamilyWealth #FamilyPhilanthropy #IntegratedWealthManagement #Philanthropy

Delaware Fund raisers and philanthropic organizations should learn about the Future of Philanthropy in Delaware. Follow the link in this post for a virtual panel discussion on September 26.

What's the long-term philanthropic destiny of Warren Buffett's $148 billion fortune? Earlier this year, Buffett provided a partial answer -- and a lot more intrigue -- by announcing that after his death, his wealth will be divided across foundations run by his three adult children. That focuses new attention on what the Buffett children might have in mind. Read the story: https://lnkd.in/gnBakBui This story is by Jeremy Turley of Flatwater Free Press, one of the Chronicle's 2024 Philanthropy & Nonprofit Accountability Fellows. Each year the Chronicle of Philanthropy offers fellowships to four local newsrooms each year to help them better cover philanthropy in their communities. Our goal is to give local news organizations access to the tools and training they need to write powerful stories that examine the role of nonprofits and foundations in their communities and attract and engage more readers. The application window is currently open for the fellowship. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/g-CtiXx5

What does generosity mean in Minnesota (and beyond)? ✨ $37 MILLION! That’s what we celebrated this year during GiveMN’s record-breaking Give to the Max! It’s a big number, and it’s a testament to the generosity of Minnesotans and the tireless efforts of the incredible nonprofits that work to make our communities better. At a time when philanthropy is evolving and organizations are navigating shifting donor landscapes, this milestone feels especially meaningful. It’s a reminder that individual giving remains critical—generosity, even in uncertain times, thrives when we show up for one another. For those in the thick of year-end fundraising: your work matters. It’s easy to get caught up in goals and deadlines, but every dollar raised, every story shared, and every relationship built is fueling your mission and creating impact. As we move through this season of giving, take a moment to celebrate the wins—big and small. Let’s continue to foster generosity, not just from donors but from ourselves, as we extend grace and gratitude to everyone working tirelessly to better our communities. Here’s to the resilience, creativity, and the boundless power of unity in diversity—bringing people together, inspiring change, and nurturing hope. You’re making a difference, and it shows. Thank you for all you do. #Nonprofits #Philanthropy #YearEndGiving

The Importance of Personal and Corporate Support for Nonprofits in 2025. As we step into 2025, it’s an ideal time to reflect on the vital role personal and corporate support plays in the nonprofit sector. Strategic planning for philanthropy—whether through individual contributions, corporate partnerships, or in-kind support—has a profound impact on organizations striving to meet the growing needs of their communities. Nonprofits rely on this support to fund essential programs, innovate solutions, and expand access to resources for underserved populations. Your engagement not only fuels these missions but also strengthens the fabric of our society by fostering equity, health, and opportunity. This year, let’s continue to drive meaningful change together by setting bold philanthropic goals that align with the values we cherish most. The impact of your support is transformative—and deeply appreciated.

🤝 Philanthropy: It's not just about giving—it's about growing together. Learn how strategic charitable initiatives can become powerful platforms for next-gen professional development and family culture preservation. Watch to see how modern family offices are turning community outreach into multigenerational engagement. #FamilyOffice #Advisor

OUT NOW: On our latest episode we talk to Kate Symondson about family foundations, grantmaking and next gen philanthropy. https://lnkd.in/etqHZmjZ Including: -Is it helpful to talk about Next Gen philanthropy? -How can funders strike the right balance between trust and measurement? -Which aspects of giving as a family are most rewarding, and which most challenging? -Is philanthropy a duty or a choice? And lots, lots more.

Building close ties with grantees and easing the pressure on nonprofits, are central to one family foundation's approach to giving, the grant maker's leader explains in a podcast from the Center for Effective Philanthropy. Vivian Long talks about how to make grants with long-term impact, ease the pressure on nonprofits, and navigate giving priorities of different generations. https://bit.ly/4gKaO10