"From Both Sides of the Check" is a podcast mini-series as part of The Patterson Foundation's Beyond The Blog podcast. In this week's episode, we interview Debra Jacobs, President and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. Through “From Both Sides of the Check,” we explore what it’s like to work in the philanthropic sector through conversations with people now working at foundations who have worked on both the funder and nonprofit sides. The goal of the podcast series is that these conversations are instructive for people on both sides of the check and helpful in illuminating a path forward for even stronger collaboration in the philanthropic sector so we can drive even more impact.
Key Podcast Themes
- Philanthropic collaboration
- Funder-nonprofit relationships
- Power dynamics
- Trust-based philanthropy
- Fundraising
- “Hiring empathy”
Timestamps - Debra Jacobs
- 00:00 - 00:31 Introduction
- 00:31 - 02:38 Debra’s Role and Defining Success in her Role
- 02:38 - 05:16 Debra’s Previous Roles
- 05:16 - 10:55 Nonprofit Experience Informing Foundation Perspective
- 10:55 - 12:13 Favorite Part about her Role
- 12:13 - 13:17 Least Favorite Part about her Role
- 13:17 - 14:40 Focusing on Excellence and Shared Aspirations to Bridge Differences
- 14:40 - 18:00 What Debra Wishes she Knew about Funders when she was at a Nonprofit
- 18:00 - 20:12 What Debra Wishes Funders Knew about Nonprofits
- 20:12 - 24:24 How to Build Trust and Break through the Power Dynamic
- 24:24 - 26:41 What more Nonprofits should Know about Funders
- 26:41 - 31:00 Dream Partnership
- 31:00 - 32:11 Privilege to Serve, Take it Seriously, Joyful Stewardship
- 32:11 - End Closing
Soundbite recommendation: Seeking alignment through fundraising and 3 questions to always ask prospective funders 14:58-16:38
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