Effective Philanthropy Learning Initiative - Research

EPLI Research

EPLI conducts applied research to understand the nuances of philanthropic practice and improve its outcomes. We examine the realities of philanthropy for high-capacity donors, as well as for members of the donor-support–ecosystem. We then develop practical tools, resources, and education programs designed to increase the effectiveness of giving.

Guiding Questions

Donor Motivations:

What motivates high-capacity donors and next generation donors to improve their commitment to solving social problems? How do we inspire them to become more strategic philanthropists?

Donor Needs:

What are the current needs of those practicing philanthropy? How are available resources addressing those needs? What are the unmet needs? What experiences, resources, and information help donors clarify their goals and increase their impact?

Leveraging Intermediaries:

How can intermediaries in the donor support ecosystem (e.g., advisors, wealth managers, estate planners, and accountants) expand their understanding of philanthropic best practices and help increase donors’ philanthropic impact?

Articles & Papers

Below is a list of EPLI research papers, articles, case studies and other publications. For more, see our tools and resources.

Article

Design Thinking and Strategic Philanthropy Case Study (August 2015)

Nadia Roumani, Paul Brest, and Olivia Vagelos

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Article

Problem Solving, Human-Centered Design, and Strategic Processes (October 2015)

Paul Brest, Nadia Roumani, Jason Bade

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Article

Logic Models: An Overview

curated by Paul Brest

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Research

EPLI Research

Guiding Questions

Donor Motivations:

Donor Needs:

Leveraging Intermediaries:

Articles & Papers

Giving Vehicle Use Among High-Capacity Donors in the Bay Area and Implications for Nonprofits

COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND HIGH-CAPACITY DONORS: RELATIONSHIPS, PERCEPTIONS, AND BEHAVIORS (July 2020)

Bay Area Millennial Giving: Current Trends, Challenges, & Opportunities (May 2020)

Charting Impact Choice Experiment (December 2018)

Helping Wealth Advisors Increase Philanthropic Impact For High Net Worth Clients (Summer 2018)

Data For Donor Impact Research Paper (August 2018)

Designing For Philanthropy Impact: The Giving Compass (Summer 2018)

Designing for Strategic Philanthropy – Chinese Version (2017)

Design Thinking and Strategic Philanthropy Case Study (August 2015)

Problem Solving, Human-Centered Design, and Strategic Processes (October 2015)

Logic Models: An Overview

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