This podcast introduces us to Peter Roebbelen, President of Charis Foundation, a significant Christian grantmaking organization based in Oakville, Ontario.  Peter invested his career into pastoral ministry, and then, suddenly a few years ago, found himself directing a large family foundation who lost its principals to ravaging fatal illnesses. In this interview Peter tells this tragic story, and explains how the ... Read More

The philanthropist operates with significant power.  She has money, influence and control, and in relationship to charities seeking funding and partnership, the imbalance is considerable.  If we want our philanthropy to be transformative in our own lives as well as others, we must embrace greater vulnerability.  In this interview, Andy Crouch helps us explore how we can open ourselves to risk, ... Read More

Many generous people find themselves pulled this way and that by the competing claims and pressure tactics of shrewd development staff.  In today’s podcast, we learn how Jack Kiervin handles these challenges.  Through doing an inventory of his own family priorities, he and his wife, Shirley, decided to focus deep on one area of philanthropy, and to invest strongly with both finances ... Read More

The dance of philanthropy can often appear free-wheeling and emotional, but today’s podcast guest, Rebecca Horwood, shows that great philanthropy, like great dancing, requires intense discipline and practice.  Repeated steps, hours of footwork, listening intently to the music all make a great dancer. Applying these skills of intentionality, commitment and drive also contribute to a better practice of philanthropy. Rebecca ... Read More

My friend Aaron LeClaire sits down with us on the Stronger Philanthropy Podcast to discuss philanthropy based on his 14 years offering his skills and insights to family foundations in the US.  He has reviewed thousands of grant requests, and through wise stewardship, led organizations to significant impact, particularly in international settings. Our conversation today begins with a riff on ... Read More

Helen Sworn, British activist and advocate, lives Cambodia and heads up a strategic coalition that brings together 55 Christian charities dedicated to end the trafficking of people in that country. The Chab Dai Coalition – which means Joined Hands in Khmer – builds the capacity of all its members through offering accreditation, best practice standards, streamlining programs, and advocating with ... Read More

Brent Fearon spent a quarter of a century working in the social sector, first with an educational institution and then with several foundations including Bridgeway Foundation and Cornerstone Trust. He brings patience and diligence to his work of empowering philanthropists in strategic and meaningful giving. Join us in Episode 009 of the Stronger Philanthropy Podcast for a conversation that starts ... Read More

Michael Van Pelt is the President and CEO of Cardus, a Christian think tank based in Canada.  In sixteen years, he and his team have entrepreneurially grown their charity into an influential voice for social architecture that roots its vision in the dignity of humanity that is created in God’s image.  Its research spans distinct and broad spheres of society – ... Read More