Bold Ideas

Purposeful Philanthropy

Real Impact

We partner with companies, foundations, and organizations to create smart strategy, purposeful programs, and powerful spaces for collaboration and action.

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Who We Are

Our team at Ideas in Philanthropy has deep expertise and extensive experience in working with foundations and organizations in a variety of sectors - we’re a multidisciplinary team with backgrounds in corporate and private philanthropy, consulting, public health, social services, community engagement, international affairs and strategic communications.  

We bring together a diverse team of builders, big thinkers, facilitators, grants gurus, problem solvers, stellar project managers and storytellers. We leverage our connections with community, other funders and stakeholders to develop responsive and impactful philanthropy programs.

We have a core set of partners to draw upon when needed in our work, including creative agencies, production companies, and evaluators. 

We’re motivated to drive change that matters—whether it's bold and sweeping or quietly transformative. We’re with you every step of the way.

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What We Are Valued For

  • Abstract digital art of a woman's profile with geometric and organic shapes, including leaves, circles, and lines, in muted tones of beige, maroon, and black.

    Big-Picture Thinking

    We see the system, the signals, and the solutions—connecting dots others miss to move big ideas from vision to impact.

  • An abstract illustration featuring a pyramid with seven human silhouettes walking along its base and a large tree in front of the pyramid. The background incorporates geometric lines, circles, and dots, creating a futuristic and minimalist design.

    Creative Pragmatism

    We blend bold ideas with practical know-how to go from strategy to action.

  • Digital illustration of two hands, one dark and one light, reaching out to touch a glowing red orb surrounded by geometric shapes and lines.

    Steady Hands

    We bring calm, clarity, and follow-through—especially when the path forward is complex or uncertain.

  • Abstract architectural design featuring geometric shapes, lines, and silhouettes of people, centered around a large circular structure.

    Architecture for Shared Momentum

    We bring people into the room—and into alignment—to unlock what's possible together.

Our Commitment

At the heart of our work is a commitment to meeting clients where they are—designing customized philanthropic solutions that reflect their unique context, assets, and aspirations.

Our role is to be a steady partner, offering focus, flexibility, and follow-through—especially when navigating complexity.

With the right blend of structure and adaptability, we help funders, companies, and organizations make meaningful progress from wherever they begin - driving change that matters.

Stylized digital artwork featuring two shaking hands overlaid with abstract geometric shapes and lines, using a color palette of black, white, beige, and maroon.

What Our Clients Say

“Having had the privilege of working alongside Erica while I was at CareQuest, I can attest to her extraordinary capabilities, sharp intellect, and truly exceptional interpersonal skills in the philanthropic world.

She is, quite simply, a joy to collaborate with. Her approach is characterized by an effortless blend of professionalism, intelligence, and a delightful sense of humor. She consistently demonstrated an impressive depth of knowledge of sector trends and practices and a remarkable ability to deliver results promptly and efficiently.

Beyond her analytical prowess, Erica possesses an unparalleled ability to build and nurture relationships. She took a considerable workload off my team by proactively fostering strong connections with our partner grantees. She understood their needs and challenges more intimately than we ever could, celebrating their successes and adeptly troubleshooting their difficulties. Erica consistently served as a wonderful and insightful bridge between the funder and grantee organizations, ensuring seamless communication and mutual understanding.

Erica is a rare talent who combines profound intelligence with genuine warmth and an exceptional ability to drive meaningful outcomes.”

-Melodie Griffin