Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell

Episode Title: How Philanthropy Can Step Up In This Moment
Guest: Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury, President and CEO, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Date: August 20, 2025

Episode Overview

In this insightful episode, Julia Campbell welcomes Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury to discuss how philanthropy must not only be a source of funds, but a bold, proactive partner in times of uncertainty. They explore how the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (WRF) is leveraging its 50-year history to advance equity, support "ALICE" families (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), and practice trust-based philanthropy. Dr. West-Scantlebury shares practical strategies and candid advice for nonprofit leaders seeking to navigate reduced federal support, declining trust in institutions, and the imperative for systemic change, especially across the South.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Philanthropy’s Role at a Crossroads (03:18–05:45)

• Reflection on WRF’s 50th Anniversary: Not just an occasion to celebrate, but a mandate to act boldly and address urgent issues, including economic mobility, policies for ALICE families, and supporting under-resourced leaders (03:33).
  • "Turning 50 for us is not just a milestone, but, you know, it's a mandate, quite honestly."
• ALICE Families in Arkansas: Nearly 50% of Arkansas families are ALICE, working hard but struggling financially. WRF is focused on closing the capital gap and eliminating harmful policies (04:20).
• From Funder to Partner: Emphasis on philanthropy’s responsibility to co-create change, not just fund initiatives (05:35).

2. Boldness in the Face of Retreat (06:39–08:24)

• Urgency in Philanthropy: Dr. West-Scantlebury advocates for bold action and risk-taking, especially when government support recedes (06:39).
  • "This is just not the time for foundations to pull back or play it safe… leadership means stepping into the gap."
• Avoiding Retreat: Critique of foundations rolling back on equity language and scaling back support. Calls for amplifying grassroots leaders rather than micromanaging or retreating (07:10).

3. Advice for Nonprofit Leaders Facing Adversity (08:24–10:38)

• Courage and Value: Dr. West-Scantlebury urges leaders to know their worth and not diminish their boldness even if boards or higher-ups are risk-averse.
  • "You can't shrink boldness, because changing systems, either you want status quo or you want change."
• Storytelling as Advocacy: Authentic storytelling—internally and externally—is essential to show impact, inspire others, and sustain momentum (09:20).
• Building Collective Power: Work in coalition and share resources, especially in times of scarcity (10:12).
  • "Form those alliances, share resources, and support each other's leadership because that's really how movements grow and how systems change."

4. Practical Examples of Movement-Building and Collaboration (11:16–13:22)

• Immigrant-Serving Organizations: WRF funds collaborative work, such as sharing legal resources and data among immigrant support organizations (11:16).
• Think Movement, Not Organization: Nonprofits should consider themselves part of a broader struggle (12:05).

5. Strategies for Maintaining Relevance and Adapting (13:22–15:52)

• Collaborative Philanthropy: WRF participates in networks like Arkansas Impact Philanthropy and Arkansas Black Philanthropy Collaborative to amplify impact (13:22).
• Co-Creation with Grantees: WRF does not maintain an "us vs. them" mentality; instead, staff get involved in solution-building alongside grantees, despite inherent power imbalances (14:10).
• Proactive Networking: WRF brokers relationships between grantees and national funders, leveraging board and personal connections (15:40).

6. Trust-Based Philanthropy – Cutting Through the Noise (15:52–22:14)

• Long-Term, Unrestricted Support: Multi-year, general operating support is WRF’s cornerstone, reducing burdens on grantees and trusting their expertise (16:12).
  • "When nonprofits don't have to jump through hoops or reprove their worth every year... they can focus on their mission and not just staying afloat."
• Convincing Boards: The pivot to trust-based philanthropy is often hindered by board members seeking rigorous proof, but real change is incremental and calls for trust (18:11).
• Reporting Shift: WRF now interviews grantees for impact stories, moving away from cumbersome written reports and "bean counting" metrics (21:41).
  • "We interview grantees. What has been your impact? Tell us your story. What is the story of this grant?"

7. Communicating Complex Systems Change (22:14–29:33)

• People, Not Process: WRF aims to ground otherwise abstract systems change in relatable stories of individuals and communities (22:53).
• Storytelling Challenges: WRF admits shortcomings in consistently sharing stories, a struggle for many foundations (22:29).
• Examples of Impact:
  • Attendance Works: Funded research and systems to address absenteeism, leading to statewide policy adoption (24:52–25:52).
  • Living Wage Initiatives: WRF’s data influenced pay structure reforms at major Arkansas employers (26:20).
  • Homeownership Access: Collaborating with cities, banks, and CDFIs to develop mortgage products for $50k-and-under earners (27:30).
• Systems Change Is Multifaceted: Requires working across sectors, leveraging partnerships, and funding institutions that serve marginalized groups in novel ways (29:33).

8. Mentoring Emerging Philanthropic Leaders (29:57–31:43)

• Room to Lead: Young leaders need space to innovate, challenge old paradigms, and reimagine decision-making tables (30:11).
  • "Don't just inherit the table, like reimagine it. Create a whole new one."
• The Need for Community: Philanthropy can be isolating without mentorship and collective support, especially for leaders of color (30:58).

9. Sustaining Hope Amidst Challenge (32:58–34:21)

• Resilience Through Cycles: Dr. West-Scantlebury draws hope from history’s cycles and the tenacity of contemporary change-makers (32:58).
  • "We've been here before... the people give me hope. I see leaders every day who are making change with limited resources and endless resolve."
• Future Focus: The next generation is not just surviving but building a better future and new opportunities for philanthropy to fund (33:50).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Turning 50 for us is not just a milestone, but, you know, it's a mandate, quite honestly."
  — Sherece West-Scantlebury on using the anniversary as a catalyst for bold action (03:35)

• "This is just not the time for foundations to pull back or play it safe."
  — West-Scantlebury on the importance of doubling down in times of uncertainty (07:12)

• "You can't shrink boldness, because changing systems, either you want status quo or you want change."
  — West-Scantlebury on the necessity of advocacy (08:53)

• "Funders are people, and people respond to authenticity, not perfection."
  — West-Scantlebury addresses storytelling and funder relationships (09:09)

• "When nonprofits don't have to jump through hoops or reprove their worth every year...they can focus on their mission and not just staying afloat."
  — West-Scantlebury on the power of trust-based philanthropy (16:12)

• "Don't just inherit the table, like reimagine it. Create a whole new one."
  — West-Scantlebury advises emerging leaders (30:23)

• "We've been here before... the people give me hope."
  — West-Scantlebury on resilience in difficult times (33:00)

Key Timestamps

• 03:13 — Reflections on WRF’s 50th anniversary & urgent priorities
• 06:39 — Philanthropy’s opportunity (and failure) to be bold when government retreats
• 08:50 — Advice for nonprofit leaders facing board/partner pushback for boldness
• 11:16 — Example: Collaborative impact among immigrant nonprofits
• 13:22 — Maintaining relevance through sector collaboration and co-creation
• 15:52 — Trust-based philanthropy: principles and practice
• 18:11 — Overcoming obstacles with boards to institute trust-based support
• 22:29 — The challenge of storytelling and communicating complex, systemic change
• 24:52 — Systems change: Example of absenteeism intervention and policy adoption
• 26:20 — Data-driven changes in employer wage policies
• 29:57 — What emerging leaders need most from mentors
• 32:58 — Sustaining hope and perspective for discouraged changemakers

Conclusion & Where to Connect

Dr. West-Scantlebury urges nonprofit and philanthropic leaders to be bold, embrace partnership, and support one another deeply in the face of adversity. She celebrates the power of collective action, the necessity of trust-based giving, and the resilience of communities as reasons for hope.

Connect with WRF:

• Online: wrfoundation.org
• Social: @WRF, AR on Facebook, LinkedIn, all major platforms

Find Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury:

• On social media and LinkedIn (search by name)

"Your work matters. You matter. Your voice matters. What you're doing matters. No matter what is happening today, it matters. So keep going, however imperfectly. Just keep doing the work." — Julia Campbell (35:06)