Meet the Grantmakers - Online!

WELCOME!

Enjoy this series of conversations with leaders from the world of philanthropy. Hear about the issues that concern you and that shape grantmaking today. Meet the people who understand what drives decisions at the top levels of philanthropic giving.

We think you'll be impressed and inspired by the panelists' commitment to their communities and their passion to work in partnership with dedicated nonprofit and government professionals achieving meaningful change. Come enjoy an hour that’s sure to offer new insights and lift your spirits.

Sign up now for Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 11:00am Pacific to enjoy another wonderful event. These events are free!       

April 17, 2024  11am Pacific

PDF of Grantmaker Profiles

 

Sushma Raman, President & CEO, Heising-Simons Foundation, Los Altos & San Francisco, CA

The Heising-Simons Foundation is a family foundation that works with its many partners to advance sustainable solutions in climate and clean energy, enable groundbreaking research in science, enhance the education of our youngest learners, and support human rights for all people. Since it was established in 2007, the foundation has awarded 4,310 grants totalling $1.139B.

Sushma Raman is an interdisciplinary and experienced philanthropic leader. She brings over two decades of experience launching, scaling, and leading social justice and philanthropic programs and collaboratives, including helping build capabilities of grassroots human rights organizations and their leaders. She has also taught graduate courses in the public policy schools at UCLA, USC, Tufts Fletcher School, and Harvard Kennedy School.

Sushma is a Board Member at Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and, prior to joining the Foundation in 2023, was the Executive Director of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy since 2015. Her work prior to that included time as a program officer and program manager at the Ford Foundation, where she launched and managed a $100 million global initiative to support emerging human rights and women’s funds globally, and experience as a program officer at the Open Society Foundation, where she launched and coordinated a portion of a $50 million grantmaking program supporting immigrant and refugee rights and the impact of welfare reform. Sushma also led the Southern California Grantmakers association as its President from 2007 to 2012.

 

Chanel Ford, Director of Programs, Native American Agriculture Fund, Bismarck, ND

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) is a private, charitable trust which supports Native farmers and ranchers by providing grants to eligible Native organizations for business assistance, agricultural education, technical support, and advocacy services. The charitable trust was created by the settlement of the landmark Keepseagle v. Vilsack class-action lawsuit. NAAF is the largest philanthropic organization devoted solely to serving the Native American farming and ranching community.

Chanel Ford brings more than 7 years of experience working at the community level for tribal youth prevention programs, action planning and implementation, systems integration, raising community awareness, managing prevention/wellness community advisory boards, and conducting community outreach. Previously, Chanel served as Network Director for the Spokane Tribal Network, a 501(c)(3) fostering intergenerational wellness and resiliance. From 2011 -2014, Chanel was Higher Education Manager for the Spokane Tribe of Indians, helping to provide students with the essentials to succeed in obtaining Higher Education.

Chanel is a Graduate of Eastern Washington University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications/ Public Relations and a Master’s Degree in Education with a focus on Adult Education. Chanel is an enrolled member of the Spokane Tribe of Indians and grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. She now resides in Spokane Washington.

 

Brandon Zeigler, Chief Impact Officer, VP Grants & Initiatives, Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, Greensboro, NC

Brandon Zeigler is an angel investor, philanthropist, and Chief Impact Officer and Vice President of Grants and Initiatives at the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, a charitable organization that inspires giving, maximizes opportunities and strengthens communities for present and future generations. In this role, he has the privilege of investing capital across a spectrum of impact that creates pathways of economic mobility for people and communities that have been denied opportunities. 

Previously, he served as the Director of Impact Investments at Global Endowment Management, an outsourced Chief Investment Office, and as a Program Officer of K-12 Education at the Walton Family Foundation. Brandon has extensive experience in education, philanthropy, and finance. He believes in authenticity and serving those who are underinvested in. He is a connector, paying it forward and pouring into others so that they develop and supersede their own beliefs. 

Brandon holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Davidson College, a Master of Education in education policy and management from Harvard University and is currently an MBA candidate at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc.

 

MEET THE MODERATOR

The Grantsmanship Center | Get funding. Create change.

Angela Richardson, Senior Trainer, The Grantsmanship Center

Angela brings more than 20 years' experience as a nonprofit program and fund developer, strategic planner, and organizational coach. As senior trainer, Angela has coached other trainers for The Grantsmanship Center and trained staff for nonprofit organizations, school districts, governments, faith-based organizations, and colleges and universities. She brings additional expertise in education and the arts, recently delivering a virtual workshop for Broward County Cultural Division, FL as part of the Business Skills for Creatives series. Angela has facilitated many in-person Meet-the-Grantmaker panels in Los Angeles for PROJECT GRANTSMANSHIP and for the City of Los Angles, city council members. Recently, Angela trained faculty and community-based nonprofit leaders as part of a Research Proposal Workshop sponsored by UCLA Health Sciences.

 

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PREVIOUS PANELS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2024 - Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Collins Foundation, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11 2023 - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Greater Houston Community Foundation, The Lemelson Foundation

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2023 - Elton John AIDS Foundation, POISE Foundation, Albuquerque Community Foundation

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2023 - Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, Washington Area Women's Foundation, Nebraska Community Foundation

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2023 - Skillman Foundation, W.M. Keck Foundation, El Paso Community Foundation

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2022 - Annenberg Foundation, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Dyson Foundation

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13 2022 - Hawai'i Community Foundation, George Gund Foundation, Inasmuch Foundation

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2022 - Waco Foundation, Indian Health Service US, Liberty Hill Foundation

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 - Evanston Community Foundation, Zilber Family Foundation, Oregon Wildlife Foundation

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021 - Foundation for the Mid South, Weingart Foundation, Richmond Memorial Health Foundation

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021 - Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Crail-Johnson Foundation, Open Society Foundations

WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2021 - Bush Foundation, David Bohnett Foundation, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 - Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, Vermont Community Foundation

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020 - L.A. Care Health Plan, Rochester Area Community Foundation, Missouri Foundation for Health

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2020 - Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina, Denver Foundation, David Geffen Foundation

SAVE THE DATE FOR FUTURE PANELS

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Wednesday, October 16, 2024