We're building this for you.
So you can take these ideas and practices … and change the world around you.
Our Story
The Center for Leadership Philanthropy launched in January 2016, but our story began decades earlier, when co-founder Jim Lord wrote The Raising of Money (one of the very first books in the field) and co-founder Pam McAllister left her law practice to work for environmental nonprofits.
Fast-forward to the past decade-plus and we've worked quietly with hundreds of social sector leaders, philanthropists, and civic leaders from all over the world.
In private learning labs, we developed and tested ideas and practices that release human energy (including money) for the common good ... drawn from the best knowledge in social psychology, personal and organization development, and many other disciplines.
We've been amazed by what people have done with what we've offered. And with all the work there is to do in the world, we feel a good bit of urgency to make sure we share what we've discovered.
That's why we're here now.
Ideas matter little by themselves. Written on paper (or pixels), they are soon forgotten in the swirl of modern life.
But ideas change the world when people pick them up, carry them in their hearts and minds, and put them to work.
We want to see you take the insights we offer and use them to make an even larger difference in your organization, your community, your world.
That's why we focus on providing live, in-person learning experiences — where ideas really come to life, learning together in face-to-face human conversation.
If there's something more we can do to support your success, please be in touch.
Our People
Co-Founders
Senior Fellows
David Cooperrider
Co-creator and creative thought leader of Appreciative Inquiry (AI), creating a positive revolution in the leadership of change. Dave joined Jim Lord 25 years ago in Jim’s first Quest workshop to apply AI to philanthropic engagement. Professor of Social Entrepreneurship, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University. Globally recognized consultant.
Judi Cantor
Champion of the “appreciative spirit” at the core of the Philanthropic Quest, going back more than 20 years to her first workshop at Cambridge University. Director of Planned Giving, Harvard University, T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Consultant, speaker.
Dan Loritz
Public policy innovator with a keen eye for large-system change. Vice President Emeritus, Hamline University. Senior Fellow and President of the Center for Policy Design. Worked closely with Jim Lord to create a new model to attract the largest commitments to a university capital campaign (in lieu of a feasibility study).
Jay Hughes
High-level advisor and confidante to families of wealth, whose mentoring of Charlie Collier, philanthropic advisor at Harvard, has had a lasting influence at the highest levels of the development profession. Philosopher and author of six books, including the classic Family Wealth.
Jim Hodge
Leading speaker, facilitator of breakthrough philanthropic investments in medical research and innovation. More than 35 years in major and principal gifts, previously with the Mayo Clinic and now at the University of Colorado.
Rod Kirsch
Leader, mentor, optimist about the promise of philanthropy to improve the human condition. Senior Vice President Emeritus for Development and Alumni Relations, Pennsylvania State University. Consulting Vice President, Grenzebach Glier. Volunteer leader.
Graciela Selaimen
Activist and advocate for women as tech developers, civic engagement, freedom of expression, and access to technology and media for underrepresented groups. Program Officer, Ford Foundation, Brazil.
Gary Hubbell
Counsel to University of Alaska president and system, and other individuals, teams, and organizations committed to changing the world. Affirms and develops adaptive organizations through their efforts in leadership, culture, philanthropy, and planning. Founder and convener of Conversation.