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NPFX: The Nonprofit Fundraising ExchangeAuthor: IPM Advancement
Join the experts at IPM Advancement for discussion and insights into nonprofit fundraising, membership, advocacy and more. Each show covers a different aspect of advancement, with topics ranging from annual giving to capital campaigns and everything in between. Language: en Genres: Business, Education, How To, Non-Profit Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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The Conversation That Will Change How You Talk to Funders (Grounded Leadership with Melissa Cowley Wolf and Jaimie Mayer)
Episode 11
Monday, 31 August, 2026
Too many nonprofits still act as if funders hold all the power. In reality, many of today's most generous foundations and donors are actively looking for bold, aspirational partners who can help them create meaningful change. In this episode, Melissa Cowley Wolf talks with Jaimie Mayer, founder of Middle Child Philanthropy and former chair of the Nathan Cummings Foundation, about what it looks like when nonprofits stop behaving like "grantees" and start showing up as strategic partners. You'll learn why the old funder/fundee dynamic no longer works, what today's funders are really looking for in nonprofit leaders, and how to tap a funder's totality of assets — from grants and impact investments to communications and connections. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com. Additional Resources [NPFX] Greater Visibility Equals More Funding https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/greater-visibility-equals-more-funding [NPFX] Next Gen Donors and the Arts (with Jaimie Mayer) https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/next-gen-donors-and-the-arts [NPFX] Why Change Feels Impossible — And Why Your Funding Depends on It https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/why-change-feels-impossible-and-why-your-funding-depends-on-it-grounded-leadership [NPFX] Why Consistency Is Your Strategic Advantage https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/grounded-leadership-why-consistency-is-your-strategic-advantage Guest Jaimie Mayer is the Founder of Middle Child Philanthropy, partnering with families and philanthropic leaders to transform how values, power, and wealth move across generations. She recently completed a seven-year tenure as Chair of the Nathan Cummings Foundation. Under her leadership, the Board unanimously voted to shift 100% of the foundation's assets into mission-aligned investments, partnering with a values-aligned OCIO and deepening its commitment to racial, economic, and environmental justice. Jaimie holds an Executive MBA from NYU Stern School of Business and an MFA in Theatre Management and Producing from Columbia University's School of the Arts. She serves as Vice President of The Mayer-Rothschild Foundation and sits on the boards of the Nathan Cummings Foundation, the National Center for Family Philanthropy, Caramoor, and The Vineyard Theatre, as well as Morgan Stanley's Diversity Portfolios Advisory Council. She is a frequent speaker on multigenerational philanthropy, next generation leadership, impact investing, and values alignment in giving. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimiemayer/ https://www.middlechildphilanthropy.com/ Host Melissa Cowley Wolf is a strategic advisor, executive coach, author, and speaker working at the intersection of leadership, organizational impact, and philanthropic strategy. She is the founder of MCW Projects LLC, an advisory firm focused on next-era executive development and mission-driven strategy for leaders seeking meaningful impact. With more than 20 years of experience in philanthropy, leadership coaching, and campaign strategy — including work on campaigns up to $4 billion — Melissa has partnered with leading cultural, corporate, and academic institutions, philanthropists, and changemakers. Her coaching approach integrates wellness and somatic practices to help executives build clarity, groundedness, and strategic insight in a volatile environment. Named a Global Innovator Transforming the Art Industry, Melissa also directs the Arts Funders Forum, a platform advancing private support and new financial models for the cultural sector. https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-cowley-wolf-6440a79/ https://www.mcw-projects.com/ Connect with NPFX LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/npfx/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/npfxpodcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/npfx_podcast/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ipmadvancement
