Dear Giving Institute Family,
As my two-year tenure as Chair of the Giving Institute comes to a close, I write to you with a heart full of gratitude and immense pride in what we have accomplished together. It has been an incredible honor and privilege to serve this exceptional organization, and I am deeply thankful for the trust and support you have placed in me.
Together, we have steered the Giving Institute through a period of significant growth and positive transformation. I am particularly proud that we have expanded our membership from 65 to a thriving 77 members, bringing more diverse voices and expertise into our community. We also successfully diversified our membership ethnically and by firm type, strengthening our collective perspective and reach.
Our dedication to progress led to the successful launch of a new website, enhancing our digital presence and improving accessibility for all members. We undertook a crucial effort to restructure the organization’s management and strengthen our financial oversight and budgeting processes, ensuring a more robust and sustainable future for the Institute.
A significant highlight of my term was the opportunity to conduct the first-ever national conversation on generosity, sparking vital dialogue and laying groundwork for future initiatives. Following this, we established the Generosity Committee, tasked with carrying out a dynamic plan to empower generosity over the next decade.
Crucially, we have made substantial strides in embedding equity-centered and inclusive practices throughout the organization, making the Giving Institute a more welcoming and representative body for all. These efforts have contributed to an all-time engagement of member firms, a testament to the value and relevance we collectively provide. We also focused on the future by building a strong pipeline of emerging and new leaders, ensuring our organization’s continued vibrancy.
None of these achievements would have been possible without the unwavering dedication and extraordinary efforts of our entire community. I extend my deepest gratitude to my extraordinary executive team- Paul Koreen, Deb Taft, Jon Bierdermann, Ben Goldman and Richard Tollefson – my “amazing get stuff done” committee chairs – Kate Roosevelt, Chad Paris, Tim Bush, Deb Taft, Poonam Prasad, Sally Ehrenfried, Laura Hutyra, Tim Sarrantonio, Kate Hughes, Nikkii Kashub, Sarah Clough, Tim Burcham and Ted Grossnickle who consistently “went the second mile” and my supportive partners – Wendy McGrady, Kelli Gabbert and the MCI Team. Their commitment, insights, and tireless work in collaboration with many members delivered exceptional experiences and programming for our members, and I am truly humbled by their partnership. It truly takes a village and the village was there with open hearts and hands.
The Giving Institute stands on solid ground, poised for an even brighter future. I am confident that the momentum we have built will continue to propel us forward, strengthening our mission and our impact on the philanthropic landscape.
Thank you once again for this incredible journey. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the Giving Institute as a member and Chair of the Nominating Committee. I wish the incoming leadership every success.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Brenda B. Asare
Outgoing Chair, The Giving Institute
