The CEO of the Children’s Society, Mark Russell, talks about the new children’s support hub they’re launching in London, UK in July 2024, their 140-year history, ambitions for the future and creating an evidence base to roll out a nation-wide network of support hubs. We celebrate the £1M grant from BBC Children in Need just announced on 15th May to support the Children’s Society’s work tackling mental health. We also look at key issues affecting children, such as online grooming, poverty,...

The Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), Ahmad Alhendawi, joins Alberto Lidji as the 100-day countdown starts to Word Scouting’s general assembly in August 2024; bringing together members from 174 countries as they launch their new global strategy for the next 10 years; unveiling a refreshed brand, and leveraging their collective strength to tackle the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). World Scouting has 57 million members globally and has been...

The CEO of the Africa Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA), Frank Aswani, joins Alberto Lidji to discuss creating an impact ecosystem in Africa and to explore the continuum of impact capital, from traditional philanthropy to private sector capital. A key challenge AVPA is focused on: How to solve Africa’s long-term sustainable growth financing challenge. We explore the evolving role of philanthropy, as it moves beyond traditional grant-making and embraces a catalytic investing mindset where...

The President of the Truist Foundation, Lynette Bell, joins Alberto Lidji to discuss strengthening small businesses, developing career pathways for economic mobility, and why philanthropy is fueling the marketplace of ideas. Find out how the Truist Foundation is co-creating programs, building the body of evidence, and how they are convening national non-profits in the US and also bringing the public sector and the corporate space into the field to drive forward positive systemic change. The...

Daniela Ligiero, CEO and President of Together for Girls and Co-Founder of the Brave Movement, joins us to talk about working to end sexual violence against children and adolescents. Daniela is a survivor of child sexual abuse and has been sharing her story publicly for around 15 years. The silence around this topic is something that needs to be tackled. Coming forward and speaking up is not easy and takes a lot courage. Together for Girls is a global partnership uniting governments, UN...

We look at the world of corporate philanthropy and are delighted to host Graham Macmillan, President of Visa Foundation, and Melissa Stevens, Executive Vice President of Philanthropy at the Milken Institute. Graham Macmillan develops and executes Visa Foundation’s impact investing and grantmaking strategy in support of its mission to help inclusive and diverse-owned micro and small businesses around the world thrive and prosper. In addition, Graham oversees all of the Foundation’s activities...

Kate Grant, Chief Executive of the Fistula Foundation, on receiving $15M from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott and treating women with devastating childbirth injuries. Obstetric fistula is a devastating childbirth injury. It leaves a woman incontinent, humiliated, and—all too often—shunned by her community. Surgery is the only cure. The Fistula Foundation is the global leader in fistula treatment, providing more surgeries to more women than any other organization, including the U.S. government...

The CEO of Plan International UK, Rose Caldwell, joins us back on the Do One Better Podcast to talk about their work on children’s rights, girls’ education, and their approach to localisation. We explore why and how Plan International works with local actors, in humanitarian contexts, including youth-led organisations and those focused on girls’ and young women’s rights. Plan International works with girls and boys growing up in some of the world’s poorest communities, making sure they have...

Ebrima Saidy, Chief Impact Officer of Save the Children International, discusses the importance and diversity of the increasingly-prominent role of the Chief Impact Officer. At a time when many more organisations are appointing Chief Impact Officers, we consider what the role actually does, what it entails, where Chief Impact Officers come from, and what qualifications and experience they bring with them. In 2022, Save the Children International directly reached 48.8 million children in 116...

Iqbal Dhaliwal, Global Executive Director of MIT’s Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), and Vikrant Bhargava, Founder of Veddis Foundation, join Alberto Lidji to discuss the power of evidence, the ASPIRE partnership and the innovative Emissions Trading Scheme. We also explore how philanthropists should decide what to fund, where and how to fund; why evidence is so important in driving forward policy change; and why policy itself should be a key focus in the philanthropic space.  The...

Philippa Charles, Director of the Garfield Weston Foundation, provides an insider’s view into one of the UK’s most impactful philanthropic organisations. Philippa shares the foundation’s approach to granting nearly £100 million annually, emphasising their blend of empathy, flexibility, and strategic funding that characterises their work. The Garfield Weston Foundation, established in 1958 by Willard Garfield Weston, has grown significantly over the years. It dedicates its resources to...

Don Howard, CEO of the James Irvine Foundation, sheds light on the foundation's unwavering commitment to fostering economic mobility among low-income workers in California. With a rich history dating back to 1937, the foundation has been a pivotal force, directing over $2.6 billion in grants to various organizations across California. In 2023 alone, $180 million was allocated to support initiatives aimed at creating a more inclusive and equitable society. The foundation's mission is crystal...

Andy Jarvis, the Director of Future of Food at the Bezos Earth Fund, delves into the critical role food systems play in both exacerbating and potentially alleviating the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The Bezos Earth Fund, established with a $10 billion commitment from Jeff Bezos, aims to address these global challenges by 2030, with a strong emphasis on equity and environmental justice. This episode showcases some truly innovative initiatives being supported by the Fund...

In a captivating conversation with Saleh Saeed OBE, the Chief Executive of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), listeners are treated to an in-depth exploration of the DEC's vital role in responding to global disasters and humanitarian crises. With a history spanning 60 years, the DEC stands as a testament to the collective power of the UK's leading charities, coordinating efforts to deliver rapid and effective aid to those in dire need. Saleh delves into the unique operational model of...

Sir Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children), delves into their impactful work and recent legislative success driving forward the Online Safety Act. The conversation begins with an overview of the NSPCC's mission to prevent child cruelty and protect children's rights across the UK. The episode highlights the organisation's recent legislative victories that have significantly advanced child protection law and policy. A focal point of the...

Delphine Moralis, CEO of Philea (Philanthropy Europe Association), speaks with Alberto Lidji on the evolving landscape of philanthropy in Europe. We explore Philea's mission to foster pluralistic, just, and resilient societies that prioritise people and the planet. We delve into recent trends in philanthropy, highlighting the shift towards trust-based approaches, unrestricted funding, and participatory grant-making, which underscore the sector's adaptability and commitment to more effective...

Tim Dixon, Co-Founder of More in Common: Bridging Divides in a Polarized World.  Tim discusses the organization's core mission to understand and address the growing polarization in societies worldwide. Through their innovative approach, More in Common leverages the insights of social psychology and extensive public opinion research. Their aim is to unravel the complex dynamics of societal attitudes. Tim shares his personal journey that led to the creation of More in Common, highlighting a...

Larry Kramer, incoming President and Vice Chancellor of the London School of Economics (LSE), joins Alberto Lidji on the Do One Better Podcast to reflect on his 10+ years as President of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, discuss key lessons in philanthropy, and shed light on his aspirations for the LSE. The Hewlett Foundation is one of the world's largest philanthropic foundations and was a leading force in creating the field of climate philanthropy. Within the context of climate, we...

Maya Ziswiler, CEO of the UBS Optimus Foundation, delves into the transformative role of philanthropy in creating an impact economy. The Foundation, celebrating its 25th anniversary, focuses on education, health, and environmental initiatives. Under Maya's leadership, the Foundation has seen considerable growth, and we explore its innovative approach in blending traditional grant-making with social investing and blended finance. This approach aims to drive systemic and catalytic impact for...

Jim McCormick, CEO of the Robertson Trust, discusses the organization's move into impact investing while maintaining its core mission of combating poverty and trauma in Scotland. Founded in 1961 from the philanthropic efforts of the Robertson sisters, the Trust has a rich history of community support, primarily funded through dividends from the family's globally renowned whisky business, Edrington, which includes brands such as The Macallan and Highland Park. McCormick delves into the Trust's...

Nora Bavey, Founder and General Partner of Unconventional Ventures (UV), joins us from Stockholm, Sweden, to discuss diversity within an impact investing context. UV stands out as Europe's pioneering impact fund with a diversity lens, focusing on startups led by diverse founders committed to scalable impact tech in the Nordics and beyond. Key Discussions: Unconventional Ventures - A New Impact Paradigm: Bavey shares her journey from a refugee to becoming a leading figure in impact investing....

In this inspiring episode of the Do One Better Podcast, we welcome Andrea Rasca, the visionary Chief Executive Officer of Mercato Metropolitano. As a social enterprise advocate, Rasca shares the profound philosophy that food is a human right, emphasizing the importance of healthy, sustainable, and community-centric food systems. Throughout the conversation, we delve into Mercato Metropolitano's impact across London, discussing the challenges of securing funding and finding like-minded...

The CEO of Kokoro, Jules Chappell, talks about their strategic work connecting, scaling and championing support of mental health. By 2035, they want to see global momentum behind a shared understanding of what a mentally healthy world looks like. Leaders will have the evidence for how positive mental health contributes to our individual, collective and planetary health, and will be taking action against agreed targets and milestones. This episode is for anyone who’s keen on learning more...

Chiwetel Ejiofor is an Oscar-nominated actor and engaged philanthropist, collaborating closely with the Geanco Foundation as they drive forward education, health and gender equity in Nigeria. Chiwetel shares his journey into philanthropy, influenced by his family's medical background and his own passion for education and healthcare. He discusses his collaboration with Afam Onyema, CEO of the Geanco Foundation, and how this partnership has led to significant advancements in education and...