2024 Year in Review

January 6, 2025 Stephanie Ellis-Smith

By Stephanie Ellis-Smith, Founder and CEO

As 2025 gets underway there is a widely shared view that we are living in uniquely perilous and uncertain times. This feels true – but I confess I’m always a little nervous at the start of a new year. What challenges will I and our team at Phīla have to overcome? What opportunities will come our way? How will we adapt if the landscape changes? Trying to foresee all the possibilities is a little scary and plenty exhausting.

A practice that grounds me is to use the start of a new year to be grateful and give thanks. Towards that end, I want to share a few highlights of what was a gratifying 2024 for Phīla. Reflecting on the accomplishments of my colleagues and our amazing community of partners fills me with energy and optimism about what lies ahead and motivates me to hit the ground running to have the greatest possible impact for our clients and the important causes that so desperately need their funding.

2024 Wins

The most important measure of our success at Phīla is whether our clients increase their giving once they start working with us. While many factors influence each client’s generosity, a few variables are always important: creating a workable giving plan that all participants feel connected to and responsible for; increasing our clients’ knowledge of issue areas and the nonprofit sector so they feel more confident in their decision-making; participating in meaningful collaborations with allied professionals in estate planning, financial management, and taxation to help our shared clients make the most strategic and thoughtful decisions.

We’ve been privileged to witness and share in many of our clients’ philanthropic accomplishments, but a few anecdotes showcase the best of our work in 2024:

After decades of traditional giving, an inheritor couple wanted to do more. We partnered with them on a comprehensive and reflective review of their goals and how to achieve them. Ultimately we helped them embark on an audacious plan to donate the majority of their wealth in 10 years and increase their annual giving budget from $500,000 to over $20M, a 40x increase!
An inheritor was inspired to significantly draw down their donor advised fund by distributing $2M over a four-month period, the most they’ve ever given.
A retired software executive developed plans to distribute $5M after having never made any philanthropic investments.
A private equity executive made their first foray into underwriting by funding a public television program, giving it a new season.

While these numbers are important, we also care a great deal about HOW our clients give. Qualitative measures reveal how our donors are interacting with the sector and what they are doing to diminish power imbalances and advance equity in the field. Since working with us, 100% of our clients have adopted at least two of the following trust-based philanthropic practices:

Adopting participatory grantmaking models that empower community decision-makers
Making multi-year, general operating support grantmaking
Simplifying and adding transparency to grant application and reporting processes
Reviewing and committing non-financial assets to support organizations and sector leaders (e.g., artwork, land transfers, network introductions, etc.)

Internal Transformation

“Transformation” has always been important to Phīla’s mission. We speak most often about transforming the practices of our clients so they are more active and intentional with their philanthropy. But 2024 was a year of internal transformation for us as well. We increased our focus on the how and why of our work. We invested in ourselves by crafting a refined business strategy that leverages our strengths to provide excellent service to our clients and offer a supportive work environment that honors the talents of our team.

We studied our biggest wins so we can understand, document, and replicate “the Phīla way.” We looked at what didn’t go as expected and moments when we could have done better. Taking the time to learn from our mistakes taught us where to dedicate more time and effort.

We went on a hiring spree and brought on a few of the smartest people in philanthropy who are well-equipped to share their expertise, using their hearts as well as their heads to steward people and communities. We’ve evolved from a one-woman operation to a team of dedicated experts who are steering Phīla toward the future with wisdom and drive.

Our team is comprised of 88% women, 66% people of color, and 22% members of the LGBTQ+ community. Our team not only reflects our country’s diversity, it represents populations that are coming into more wealth, showcasing the unique value-add Phīla offers to budding philanthropists.

Thought Leadership

We continued to expand our online presence and thought leadership in 2024. As our business has grown, so has the number of people who want to know what we are up to and hear our perspective on developments in the field. One clear indicator is our monthly newsletter Insights in Philanthropy, which has increased the number of subscribers by 23% .We regularly get comments from folks expressing how much they enjoy receiving it, which is extremely gratifying. Thank you! Insights is truly a team effort and each of us are grateful for our readership. Our followers on Instagram and LinkedIn have grown by over 80% and traffic to our website increased 40% from 2023.

We were also thrilled to have two of our pieces published externally. The first was on the growing trend of major funders joining nonprofits in fundraising activities in The Stanford Social Innovation Review, and the second was our take on what the 2024 election may mean for philanthropy in The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

We also began to share our perspectives through webinars on political giving and the New Economy. Creating webinars was a new activity for us and it was exciting to bring field leaders together to share timely information with our audiences. We hope to continue presenting webinars in 2025 so please let us know if there are topics you’d like us to cover!

Looking Ahead

We continue to create a network of strong supporters and dedicated clients, all of whom have had a tremendous impact on our growth and success. As I look ahead to the new year, I am excited for what’s ahead. We have a few particular priorities at Phīla:

Expanding and enhancing client service offerings: Responding to our clients' needs, we're creating more comprehensive and tailored solutions, like foundation management services and grantmaking oversight.
Field building and thought leadership: We aim to deepen our impact within the sector by fostering growth, sharing our insights, and contributing to a stronger, more innovative philanthropic landscape.
Embracing technology and fostering creative partnerships: We're exploring new technologies and innovative collaborations to amplify our impact and bring fresh perspectives to our work.

As a team, we will be leaning into our vision:

To foster transformation–both within the philanthropic sector and the families and organizations we serve. We work toward a world where philanthropy is a nurturing and equity-centered practice that releases wealth to the people and communities who need it most.

This goal truly energizes me and helps me to focus more clearly on the work ahead. If this animates you too, join us in the effort. 2024 was a banner year for Phīla, but it’s only the beginning. 2025 will be a moment for opportunity and we are grateful for our clients, partners, and supporters (current and prospective) who believe in the power of philanthropy to change lives for the better.

Year-End Giving for Uncertain Times

November 3, 2024 Stephanie Ellis-Smith

By Lauren Janus

At times, this fall seems almost normal. The leaves are turning, plastic ghosts and spiders are everywhere, and pumpkin spice again abounds. This season always arrives with a crisp breeze of anticipation as those of us who work with donors and nonprofits approach November and December, when the vast majority of charitable giving occurs as part of the annual year-end giving tradition.

But of course, this year isn’t normal. Our country faces one of the most divisive and potentially destabilizing presidential elections in generations. In a few short days, we’ll face the outcome of this election and get a taste of how our country will move through the decision–whatever that decision is.

As we as a country charge headlong, hat pulled over ears, raincoat belted, into the political process, we at Phīla are increasingly asked—by clients, colleagues, and family members—how one’s giving should change, or not change, to meet these uncertain, deeply unequal, and often frightening times. Here are my answers:

Start by taking honest stock of your 2024 giving using an equity lens. The inequality in this country, and around the world, is deeply rooted in systems that favor certain groups and economic systems. Philanthropy is both a consequence of this inequality (people with more have more to give away) and one lever for righting the ship or creating more equal outcomes. But just like where you spend your money matters, where you give it matters as well.

The majority of our client engagements start with a clear-eyed, numbers-don’t-lie look at where the donor has been giving. It’s always an illuminating exercise. Inevitably, a donor will be shocked to know they are giving so much to certain issues and types of organizations (often large, well-known nonprofits) and so little to others.

To do this exercise yourself, set aside an hour or so to go through your gifts for the year. If you have a Donor Advised Fund, that’s an easy place to start. You can also go through your bank statements, email receipts or ask a partner or spouse what they remember. Don’t forget any political gifts and other non tax-exempt gifts you made! In our eyes, those absolutely count.

As you build your list of organizations and gift sizes, start to look for patterns and gaps. Are you giving substantial, regular gifts to large institutions like private universities and hospitals by default? What about organizations or political candidates your friends (i.e. people like you) recommended? If so, pause and take a moment to think about how these practices could reinforce the preponderance of gatekeeping in fundraising, thereby reinforcing inequitable funding patterns between White-led and BIPOC-led organizations.

Plan your year-end gifts and other philanthropic activities. If you’re like us, the political appeals have been coming fast and furiously to your inbox and text message screen. In a few short weeks, those appeals will be matched by any and every nonprofit you’ve ever given to asking for a year-end gift. When you take a moment to plan your giving, you stand less of a chance of reactively giving more to organizations that have the budget to send you gorgeous appeals. Take time now to think about any gaps revealed by your stock-taking in step one. Are there grassroots groups in your community you might support this year? Are there people outside of your social circle you could ask for lesser-known groups doing important work? Put them on your list.

At the same time, think more broadly about your year-end philanthropic activities. Are you hoping to get your charitable estate plan updated or address an inflection point in the life of your family foundation? Start thinking about those tasks now and reach out to a philanthropic advisor like Phīla, as well as any legal, financial or other professional advisor. We all get busy this time of year.

Set some goals for 2025. As you begin your holiday and other year-end activities, be sure to set aside some time to map out your giving for the new year. Now’s the time to sit down with family and communicate your giving goals for next year. Do you want to give more to community-based organizations (even if the community isn’t your own)? Can you afford to increase your giving budget for next year?

Talk with your spouse, children or others important to you about the gifts you know you’ll make and those that may feel unfamiliar but that you want to consider. Now’s also a good time to talk about where you want to show up in 2025 as a volunteer or even simply a dependable advocate.

Importantly, just because the election is over, now is not the time to stop making political gifts. Again and again we hear about democracy-building groups who fear the "post election drop-off" in funding. Many will have to lay off staff in January and some will close altogether. In fact, it's the time between elections when the groundwork is laid for success at the ballot box. Consider signing the "Election Day to Every Day Pledge" and continue to give (or even increase your giving) to organizations doing the hard work of registering voters, challenging unfair election laws and mobilizing communities for the next election.

These next few weeks will be nothing if not uncertain in our country. But as individual citizens, we can support our democracy and our communities by voting, by helping others to vote, and by being thoughtful, intentional and generous in our giving now and into the New Year.

Our Year in Review

December 1, 2023 Stephanie Ellis-Smith

Soaking up naturing on our morning hike in the Snoqualmie National Forest

Stephanie: A highlight of the year for me was our team retreat in the mountains. It was amazing how productive we were AND how much fun we had! It was also a special moment for me as I pushed myself to be a bit less of the “striver” and more centered in gratitude this year. Spending two full days with this incredibly smart group of people drove home just how special this group is to me. The amount of absolute trust and care we have for each other is a true gift– we’ve all had the opposite experience in professional environments. I’ll end this reflection by saying that I’m proud of myself for having a good eye for talent! ;)

My hopes for 2024 are grounded in activity. I hope that my fellow Americans become active and energized to fully participate in our (fragile) democracy. We will no doubt continue to experience the stress that results from the violence and divisiveness sown from politics and media, but I hope that we can also appreciate how important it is for all of us to take our rights and privileges seriously. As Joni Mitchell sang “you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone”.

My husband Michael and I with our haul of greenery

Tara: As we bid farewell to 2023, I can't help but reflect on the unexpected highlight that became a source of joy and solace – gardening. What started as a simple attempt to bring some greenery into my life evolved into a flourishing passion for growing my own produce. This year, the garden became my sanctuary, a place where the stresses of the world (especially law school!) melted away amidst the vibrant hues of blooming flowers and the fresh aroma of herbs. Harvesting tomatoes, peppers, and herbs straight from the backyard added a sense of accomplishment and a connection to nature that I didn't realize was missing.

As we step into 2024, my hopes are rooted in the continuation of this journey. The simple act of tending to plants has been grounding and taught me patience, resilience, and love for our earth and environment. I now have a growing interest in environmental justice, the importance of community gardens and teaching our community how to grow food. Here's to a 2024 filled with more growth, both in the garden and in our lives! New favorite color: green!

Halloween with my son in his horrible costume. But I’m still smiling!

Lauren: I have a good friend who talks about “keeping to your hula hoop” or controlling what you can and letting go of (sometimes even delighting in!) the rest. As someone who definitely prefers order to chaos, I’ve tried to remember my friend’s wise words this year. In this picture, you’ll see my younger son and me on Halloween a few months ago. When he picked out this revolting costume (he’s seven), I could have refused to let him wear it. Instead, I took a breath, recognized that he was sending me a message about who he wanted to be in that moment, and realized it was my role to accept it whole heartedly.

How does this resolution to explore and embrace the unexpected translate in my work at Phīla? It’s enabled me to be more open-minded about opportunities, as well as the intentions of our clients. Over the summer, my colleague Sewheat Asfaha read a letter to the editor in the Chronicle of Philanthropy that led us to respond with our own op-ed. I took on more opportunities to speak up in professional forums about the role of philanthropy and the responsibilities of donors. Finally, I’ve deeply enjoyed working with our amazing clients, who challenge my assumptions and stretch my thinking about what’s possible in philanthropy each and every day. I wish everyone in our Phīla community a restful and restorative break. I cannot wait to start up again in the New Year!

Enjoying some delicious phở in Hanoi, Vietnam

Sonia Nussbaum, our NEW Intern! 2023 was a year of large–but exciting–transitions for me. I am fortunate to share that I graduated from college in May, earning a B.S.P.A. in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. In October I was extended an opportunity to work alongside the tremendous women here at Phīla Engaged Giving. This position is the first of what I hope will be many in the philanthropic sector as I am incredibly passionate about the positive outcomes it can have on our society. That being said, I've heard that if you work hard you have to play hard too. So, in the time between completing college and finding employment, I spent four months traveling in Southeast Asia and Australia. Between visits to elephant and koala rescues, never ending street food, and conversations with strangers who quickly turned into travel companions, I truly had the trip of a lifetime. Upon returning to the U.S., I moved to Chicago, branching out from my east coast roots. This year I am looking forward to building community in my new home and continuing to develop the skills to support those engaging in philanthropy. Wishing you all love and happiness in 2024. It's all up from here!

Delighting in the charming seaside village of Cowichan Bay, Canada

Sofia: 2023 arrived with the launch of my philanthropy advising practice, and I soon joined this amazing team at Phila. My new colleagues motivate me every day through their combined brilliance and care, and I feel so lucky to work alongside them. My themes this year: creativity and wellness. From January through April, I engaged in an Artist’s Way workshop. I’m still writing daily morning pages and taking myself out for weekly artistic adventures. Last summer, my partner John and I spent an enchanting week on Vancouver Island. I also took a month-long break from technology and wrote about the experience.

I arrive at this year’s end grateful for my clients and the joyful variety of my work – from guiding family giving and governance to fostering donor collaboration aimed at reimagining capitalism. Moving forward, I am bringing a mindset of abundance into 2024, celebrating my family, my teachers, and the glorious calm that can be found under the blanket of winter.

Claudia: My 2023 highlight was continuing to find opportunities to connect with my community. In my photo I am crouched in front of a pile of weeds pulled by a group of Earth Gay volunteers. Earth Gay is an inclusive celebration of the Earth, this particular event took place at Burien, Washington’s Salmon Creek Ravine. As a volunteer I helped with litter pick up and weeding followed by a nature walk and bird sit.I’m optimistic about 2024. My head and heart are full of all sorts of plans and hopes, but as I’m writing this, I’m most looking forward to the simple things. I’m looking forward to seeing how the sun hits my yard in the summer. I’m looking forward to finding the perfect dining table for the house I moved into this year. I’m looking forward to filling the pages of my sketchbooks.

Me, deep at work. I was VERY into finding the perfect match of scents for 2023!

Janell: To celebrate my birthday this year my partner and I embarked on a scented escapade at a candle-making bar in Seattle. The moment we stepped through the door the tantalizing aroma enveloped us. The walls, adorned in a tapestry of scented oils, drew us in. Before the candle-making journey began, we were tasked with the seemingly impossible mission of choosing just a handful of scents. The selection processes demanded an unexpected level of focus, thought, and care. I approached the task with meticulous attention. A drop of this, two drops of that—I engaged in a delicate dance until I discovered the perfect harmony of scents that made my heart sing. This “wax alchemy” of sorts served as a metaphor for the journey that encapsulated 2023. It was a year of embracing all of the various “drops of life” that define our humanity— relief when your child overcomes a crisis, grieving the departure of a loved one, navigating the delicate balance between ego and insecurity, the ebb and flow of weight loss and gain, and finding precious moments for self-care amid the overwhelming noise and chaos in our world.

Throughout this transformative year, I embraced pauses and extended more space and grace to those in my orbit—loved ones, friends, colleagues, and clients. As I look toward 2024, I’m grateful for the kaleidoscope of experiences that shaped my journey and look forward to what the future holds. Cheers to navigating life’s intricate fragrances!