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August 12, 2025 33 mins

In this episode of the Lead with Heart Podcast, I’m honored to welcome someone I've known my whole career, Sara Garske, the principal and founder of Elwood Advisors. With over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she works with nonprofits, foundations, and individual philanthropists to create sustainable and impactful giving and fundraising strategies.

We explore trust-based philanthropy, ways to engage and empower different generations in their philanthropic journey, and more. So, whether you're an individual donor, part of a foundation, or part of a nonprofit, you will find practical strategies that will help you create greater impact.


In this episode:

  • [02:44] Sara's 25+ year journey of thriving in philanthropy
  • [06:27] What philanthropy is really about
  • [07:18] What the role of a philanthropic advisor looks like
  • [08:10] Help family foundations evolve past checkbook giving
  • [11:07] How trust-based philanthropy can lead to greater impact
  • [12:42] Ways nonprofits can build trust with family foundations
  • [15:21] Strategies to navigate different generations' giving priorities
  • [20:45] Transparency is critical for nonprofits
  • [23:52] Effective ways to engage the next generation
  • [26:54] Serving nonprofits and foundations with Elwood Advisors
  • [29:02] Anyone can be a philanthropist


RESOURCES

Catch up with my talk with Jenn Klein in episode 24 of Lead With Heart


CONNECT WITH SARA

LinkedIn: Sara Garske

Website: elwoodadvising.com


Send Haley a suggestion or request via text HERE!

My book, Sow, Grow, Lead is live on Amazon! It shares my journey of starting a nonprofit in Malawi and offers practical strategies for nonprofit leaders to create real impact.

Trusted by 80,000+ organizations in 90+ countries, Donorbox offers easy fundraising tools to help you raise more. From fast donation forms to crowdfunding, events, and Donorbox Live™ Kiosk, grow your impact with donorbox.org

CONNECT WITH HALEY
Haley is a CFRE, Stress Management Coach, and EmC trainer. Founder of The Savvy Fundraiser, she brings experience in human services, homelessness, and youth nonprofits. She specializes in EmC, leadership, board development, and fundraising, empowering nonprofit leaders to build thriving organizations.
Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com
YouTube: thesavvyfundraiser
Produced by Ideablossoms

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