T H E P I T T S B U R G H F O U N D AT I O N 1 4 O N A COOL MARCH EVENING, a group gathered at the Millvale Moose, headquarters of the nonprofit New Sun Rising, for the first meeting of the New Philanthropic Leaders. Organized by the Center for Philanthropy, this lively group of 25- to 40-year-olds represents the next wave of philanthropy. Atypically generous, each donated $1,000 to a single pooled fund, which was matched by the Foundation — that’s more than double the average charitable gift of $481 that most millennials make in an entire year to all charities combined. Participants will also take part in a 10-month series of intensive sessions with community leaders to explore critical issues facing the region. In October, the group will use the knowledge they’ve gained of evidence-based philanthropy to decide how best to distribute their grant-making pool of $26,000. They’ll also host a pitch party, which invites nonprofit leaders to share their best ideas in the hopes of generating excitement and additional financial support from the public. But on this night, there were no decisions to make: this session was for listening as four nonprofit leaders described innovative philanthropic methods that go beyond writing a check. The panelists’ advice: listen to, learn from and collaborate with the nonprofit professionals who know their communities best. Left to right: Jordana Stephens, ScottWolovich, Brian Burley and Hilary Ferencak share their expertise in innovative philanthropy with members of the New Philanthropic Leaders. ACTIVE LISTENING TIMELINE OF NEW PHILANTHROPIC LEADERS SESSIONS Jordana Stephens serves on the Grassroots Grantmaking Committee run by Neighborhood Allies. She says she believes that grants to individ­ uals exemplify the best practices of trust-based grantmaking, where donors give to the people and organizations on the ground doing what’s most needed in a community. Unlike most foun­ dations, which give only to certified nonprofits, the Grassroots Grantmaking Committee provides mini-grants to individuals for projects. Last May, Stephens received $1,700 with Neighborhood Allies as the fiscal sponsor to run a block party to bring her community together. “With grassroots grantmaking, account­ ability isn’t just to the fiscal sponsor but to my neighbors, the people I have known since I was in pigtails,” Stephens says. “That’s a heavy responsibility, particularly in a place like Pittsburgh where people know your brother, your sister, your grandmother. It has to be successful for all of them, too.” Panelist Hilary Ferencak, coordinator at the Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise (PACE), encourages the New Philanthropic Leaders to invest in training for nonprofit staff so they have the tools needed to develop strong organizational and governance structures. PACE works with organizations serving economically disadvantaged people, particularly in African American and low‑income communities. Nonprofit leaders apply to take part in PACE intensive capacity‑building programs focused on improving internal governance, leadership and financial management systems with the goal of growing sustainable organizations. “It’s so important for donors to go beyond programmatic funding and instead approach their philanthropy as a conversation, where they ask nonprofits what their organizations need to succeed. Investing in capacity building NONPROFIT INNOVATORS HELP ASPIRING PHILANTHROPISTS UNDERSTAND HOW TO WORK BEST WITH ORGANIZATIONS