How the IEEE Foundation Turns Engineering Into Global Impact

On this episode of the Charity Charge Show, host Grayson Harris sits down with John McDonald, newly appointed Board President of the IEEE Foundation. The conversation is a masterclass in how long-term professional communities evolve into powerful philanthropic engines, and what nonprofit leaders can learn from a global organization built on trust, consistency, and service.

John brings more than five decades of experience as a member of IEEE, the world’s largest professional technical organization with more than 500,000 members across 190 countries. His journey from student member to foundation president offers rare insight into leadership, donor engagement, and the discipline required to sustain impact at scale.

What the IEEE Foundation Actually Does

While IEEE is widely known for advancing technology, standards, and professional development, the IEEE Foundation operates as its philanthropic partner. The Foundation supports nearly 300 funds that power scholarships, awards, education programs, and initiatives designed to use technology for the benefit of humanity.

At its core, the Foundation exists to strengthen and extend IEEE’s mission by mobilizing philanthropy. It funds programs that create real social impact, from education access to humanitarian technology projects around the world.