Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
Designing Tomorrow explores a new playbook for modern social impact leaders and brands to reach their true impact potential.
Why do some social impact brands thrive, while so many others fail to get traction, build support for their cause, and make meaningful progress? Imagine your impact with truly sustainable revenue and resources. With deeper community engagement and relationships. With more influence in your social impact category.
Hosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, each episode dives into the strategies, mindsets, and behaviors top social impact brands use to play and win in the attention economy. Go beyond high-level concepts to specific tools and tactics you can use today.
Watch on YouTube or listen to new episodes each Tuesday.
Let’s design a better tomorrow, together.
Designing Tomorrow is a Cosmic Production. Learn more at https://designbycosmic.com/
Designing Tomorrow is a registered trademark of Design By Cosmic, Inc.
Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
The Funder Breaking All the (Fake) Rules
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What if philanthropy, as we know it, is a flawed system?
In this episode, we're joined by Jen Nguyen, a director at the Stupski Foundation, a unique "spend-down" organization designed to close its doors after giving away all of its assets by 2029. Jen, a former college counselor, provides an unapologetically candid look at a sector she may soon leave, revealing a rare freedom to challenge the status quo from within.
We'll discuss how a "wait and see" approach to philanthropy falls short in moments of crisis, why foundations often prioritize their own survival over the needs of the communities they serve, and what it truly means to lead with a "nothing to lose" philosophy. Jen unpacks her critiques of the 5% payout rule, the "overhead" myth, and the power imbalances between funders and the organizations on the front lines.
This conversation is a must-listen if you've ever wondered what a more just, trusting, and effective philanthropic sector could look like, or if the "rainy day" that so many foundations are saving for is already here. ⛈️
Notable Quotes
“The rainy day is here. So what are we saving for? What good is the Stupski Foundation going to be if it exists 50 years from now?” — Jen
[06:05]
“In my opinion, my job is not hard. The work is hard... We just need to give out money more quickly.” — Jen
[28:24]
“We need to be able to value that solidarity… The philanthropic field is set up to reflect capitalism, competition….” — Jen
[34:50]
“It’s their practices that are causing executive directors to have to stretch themselves into different practices and way too thin….” — Jen
[40:42]
Timestamps
[00:00] The “Wait and See” Approach
[01:03] The Flaws of Institutional Philanthropy
[02:18] Why Funders Are Reluctant to Speak Out
[03:55] A Crisis of Government Funding
[07:01] The Spend-Down Foundation Model
[10:09] Rethinking Trust-Based Philanthropy
[14:49] The Proper Role of Philanthropy
[19:38] Balancing Intentionality and Impact
[22:16] A Magic Wand for Philanthropy
[26:22] The Problem with Due Diligence
[29:22] What Philanthropy Can Learn from Venture Capital
[35:32] The Overhead Conversation
[40:33] Advice for Foundations
[42:28] Advice for Nonprofit Leaders
[46:31] Where to Connect with Jen and the Stupski Foundation
P.S. — Feeling a disconnect between your mission and your brand? Cosmic helps social impact leaders build trust through story-rich brands, compelling campaigns, and values-aligned strategy. Let’s talk about how to elevate your impact: https://designbycosmic.com/
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Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.
