Join us for a conversation with a foundation that prioritizes grantees over itself. Come to this webinar to learn about how a foundation can issue grant awards to individuals and celebrate the accomplishments of artists, scientists and others all while meeting the foundation’s disbursement obligations. Foundation Source’s Head of Philanthropic Advisory Services Elizabeth Wong will be joined by Miriam Billinger, Operations Director of the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, for a candid conversation on ways the foundation has connected purpose with practice—and why its goal is to shine the spotlight on its individual awardees and grantee partners rather than itself.
Key takeaways from this discussion include:
- How awards to individuals for unique, innovative, inspirational and groundbreaking achievements can be a powerful grantmaking tool.
- How a foundation distributes financial resources directly to scientists, teachers, conservationists and creators whose diverse perspectives enable us to discover new things about ourselves and our world.
- How a foundation that wants to stay lean and not reinvent the wheel can infuse its operations with processes that demonstrate respect for its partners including tools and best practices for funding with a light footprint.
Presented By:
Elizabeth Wong
Head of Philanthropic Advisory Services
Foundation Source
With three decades of experience in organizational performance and philanthropy, Elizabeth Wong is a highly sought-after expert in the philanthropic sector. As a gifted leader, relationship manager, executive coach and philanthropic consultant, Elizabeth has advised Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) clients and large corporations in several key areas, including high-impact philanthropy, family foundation governance, succession planning, and leadership/program development. She specializes in strategic planning, leadership transitions, organizational development for corporations, nonprofits and foundations, and business development and client retention.
In her current role, Elizabeth serves as the Head of Philanthropic Advisory Services at Foundation Source, the nation’s largest provider of comprehensive support services for private foundations. She leads an experienced team of philanthropic directors in expertly helping clients carry out their philanthropic missions and activities. She is also responsible for setting strategy for the company’s philanthropic advisory services and leads custom pricing and revenue generation opportunities for the team. She has an undergraduate degree from Columbia College and a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Passionate about philanthropy and the power of the social sector, Elizabeth serves on the boards of the Gates Foundation Alumni Network, Digital Green (a global development organization partnering with smallholder farmers), and the Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC). She grew up in San Francisco, CA, and lives with her family in Seattle, WA.
Miriam Billinger
Operations Director
Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation
Miriam’s experience and professional passion live in the operational world of mission-driven organizations. Miriam has worked with nonprofits and foundations for over twenty years and is a leader in finance, grant management, organizational culture and team development.
Miriam has worked with nonprofits and foundations for over twenty years as a leader in finance, grant management, organization culture and team development. Miriam lights up when she talks about the intersection of mission and money in nonprofits. She has served as consultant and mentor to organizations with budgets ranging from $30K to $300M and whose areas of focus span conservation, environmental education and sustainable agriculture. Miriam’s work is rooted in strengthening operating systems that enable nonprofits and foundations to be efficient, effective, resilient and impactful.
Previous roles include serving as program finance officer for the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation, assistant finance director at Humboldt State University’s Sponsored Programs Foundation and consultant to nonprofits and land trusts across Northern California. Miriam studied business economics and financial accounting, and she is trained in facilitative leadership, project management and meeting facilitation.
Miriam is currently serving as a board member for Multiplier, a nonprofit fiscal sponsor and impact accelerator. Miriam lives in the redwoods and can be found quilting, camping and volunteering in the public schools. She is the proud mother of two awesome children who inspire her to work for a brighter future and a healthier planet.
