March 10, 2023
Image of CivicAIM's team. From left to right: Erica Villarreal Ekwurzel, Elaine Gast Fawcett and Marta Vizcarro.

Redefining philanthropy: A Conversation with the Women Behind CivicAIM

I hope this finds you, your familia, and your organization well on the cusp of springtime. This past month, I was honored to receive the Amistad […]
December 18, 2022

Redefining philanthropy: A Conversation with Julian Huerta

With so much going on in the world, in our neighborhoods, and our lives, I find it helps to pause every now again and take a […]
August 25, 2022

Redefining philanthropy: A Conversation with Dien Yuen

Philanthropy is both my passion and profession. As a sector, philanthropic advising is quite dynamic, and over the course of my career, I have aspired to […]
May 24, 2022

Redefining philanthropy: A Conversation with David Maurrasse

I’m delighted to share the second video in Redefining Philanthropy in Practice and Profession, a new CivicAIM video series that features leaders who are at the […]
November 5, 2021

Reflecting and Reimagining Philanthropy

While the sun still shines warm in Austin this November, I am realizing we are soon headed into the cooler, quieter, darker time of year. It’s […]
March 2, 2021

Shining the Light on Giving & Humanity: Meet the CivicAIM team

With a new year well underway and spring—hopefully soon—around the corner, I’m looking forward to emerging out of what some would consider a dark, cold time. […]
November 25, 2020

Going Far With Funder Collaboratives

With 2020 soon coming to a close (I can almost hear the collective sigh of relief!), I want to pause and recognize the good that has […]
September 28, 2020
Photo of a table set up with a coffee mug on the left and a laptop on the right that shows a video conference on screen

Make Your Virtual Meetings Meaningful

I hope this finds you, your organization, and your family well. Covid-19 has challenged each one of us in different ways, keeping us home to consider […]
June 19, 2020

What does your work look like through a DEI lens?

As a philanthropy practitioner of color, I have had the privilege to take on and practice responsibility in being the voice for minorities that reflect my […]
December 1, 2019

What’s your Philanthropic Aim for 2020?

If you are a board or staff member of a small family foundation or funder group, chances are, grant evaluation falls last on your list. Perhaps […]
July 13, 2017

May the Force Be with You: Diversity as a Lever for Greater Impact

This blog was originally posted on a collaborative partner, Foundation Innovation’s e-newsletter, and is reposted here with permission. Okay, spoiler alert, this blog is not about […]
May 11, 2017

Brilliance of Diversity

Late last month I had the honor to moderate a panel of local nonprofit executives on diversity and inclusion practices within the organizations they lead. The […]
March 8, 2017

Generating Change through Advocacy

In an era of stringent cutbacks in state and federal assistance, thoughtful engagement in public policy is a critical tool for advancing (and sustaining!) mission-driven initiatives. […]
January 13, 2017

Create a Culture of Data & Evaluation

We all want data. It is a necessity for any grantmaking foundation, regardless of asset or staff size, to do its job effectively. Yet unfortunately, there […]
September 12, 2016

Assessing your Philanthropic Impact

  The number one question I hear grantmakers ask themselves time and time again is, “Are we making a difference?” This pinnacle inquiry often leads to a […]
August 9, 2016

Strengthen your Collaborative Mindset

The dog days of summer are approaching its end, and despite the hiatus from my blog, these past months have been anything but lazy! Summer, revered […]
April 30, 2016
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Breathe the World You’ve Been Preaching About

The title of this month’s blog is indicative of the umbrella theme of this year’s Council on Foundation Annual Conference: The Future of Community. The quote […]
February 9, 2016

Intersection of Intentionality & Effectiveness

The Philanthropy Outlook With research projecting a rise of philanthropy upwards of 4.1 percent in 2016 and 4.3 percent in 2017, this increase in giving presents a remarkable opportunity to advance […]
January 6, 2016

Step Forth with Purpose & Strategy

  Define & Refine Your Philanthropic Aim One of the greatest aspects of developing a philanthropic strategy is the sheer creativity and thoughtfulness injected into your aims […]
December 17, 2015

Welcome to CivicAIM

I am proud to announce the launch of CivicAIM, a philanthropy consulting practice. With emphasis squarely on supporting grantmakers – private and family foundations, funder collaboratives, […]
November 25, 2020

Going Far With Funder Collaboratives

With 2020 soon coming to a close (I can almost hear the collective sigh of relief!), I want to pause and recognize the good that has […]
June 19, 2020

What does your work look like through a DEI lens?

As a philanthropy practitioner of color, I have had the privilege to take on and practice responsibility in being the voice for minorities that reflect my […]
March 8, 2017

Generating Change through Advocacy

In an era of stringent cutbacks in state and federal assistance, thoughtful engagement in public policy is a critical tool for advancing (and sustaining!) mission-driven initiatives. […]
September 12, 2016

Assessing your Philanthropic Impact

  The number one question I hear grantmakers ask themselves time and time again is, “Are we making a difference?” This pinnacle inquiry often leads to a […]
February 9, 2016

Intersection of Intentionality & Effectiveness

The Philanthropy Outlook With research projecting a rise of philanthropy upwards of 4.1 percent in 2016 and 4.3 percent in 2017, this increase in giving presents a remarkable opportunity to advance […]
January 6, 2016

Step Forth with Purpose & Strategy

  Define & Refine Your Philanthropic Aim One of the greatest aspects of developing a philanthropic strategy is the sheer creativity and thoughtfulness injected into your aims […]
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