Philanthropy Reporters and Journalists - 2025 Contact List

As associate editor at Alliance Magazine, Milner has redefined how we analyze charitable systems. His work sits at the intersection of:

• Policy & Practice: Bridging academic theory with on-ground implementation challenges
• Global & Local: Mapping how macro-funding trends impact community initiatives
• Tradition & Innovation: Evaluating new models against historical precedents

Pitching Priorities

• Do: Highlight cross-sector collaborations with measurable impact pathways
• Don't: Pitch celebrity-driven campaigns or isolated feel-good stories
• Unique Angle: Surprise him with data-driven critiques of philanthropic efficacy

"The best philanthropy journalism doesn't just report on giving - it interrogates why we give, how we give, and who truly benefits."

As Britain Editor and philanthropy correspondent for The Economist, Andrew Palmer bridges charitable giving with systemic financial reform. His dual expertise stems from:

• 9 years as Maryland’s $70B pension CIO implementing climate-risk protocols now used by 14 public funds
• 27+ years financial journalism with 42 industry awards including DEIC Power100 recognition

Pitching Priorities

Palmer seeks stories demonstrating:

• Climate-risk monetization: Innovative instruments pricing environmental externalities
• Intergenerational equity: Strategies balancing retiree obligations with 30-year horizons
• Philanthropic leverage: Mega-donor collaborations with public institutions

“The next decade’s defining challenge: Making capitalism price what it currently excuses.” – Global Alts 2025 Keynote

Avoid pitches on celebrity philanthropy or crypto-based solutions. Palmer prioritizes institutional-scale mechanisms with verifiable impact metrics.

As Director of Philanthropy at Toronto Foundation, Gokhale shapes Canada's charitable landscape through:

• Innovative donor education programs engaging 250+ young fundholders
• Equity-focused initiatives like the $5M Black and Indigenous Futures Fund
• Policy advocacy around disbursement quotas and DAF reforms

Pitching Priorities

• Emerging Trends: Prefers data-rich stories on Gen Z giving patterns and digital philanthropy tools
• Avoid: One-off charity event coverage or celebrity-driven campaigns

"We need to stop equating philanthropy with check-writing and start treating it as community investment."

Career Highlights

• 13+ years developing strategic giving models at Toronto Foundation
• Recipient of 2023 CAGP Fellow designation for philanthropic leadership
• Board Member for Visions of Science and Myriad Canada

Connect via Twitter or email for pitches aligning with systemic change initiatives.

As Associate Vice President of Research at Candid, Cathleen Clerkin combines psychological expertise with big data analysis to expose systemic inequities in nonprofit leadership. Her work spans three core areas:

• Structural Equity: Mapping how governance models impact diversity metrics Pioneered analysis of 5,000+ co-led nonprofits showing 45% gender-balanced leadership teams vs 19% male-dominated structures
• Data Justice: Revealing hidden biases in philanthropic analytics Exposed how standardized metrics disadvantage 73% of BIPOC-led community organizations
• Leadership Wellbeing: Connecting management practices to staff retention Developed neuroscience-backed resilience framework adopted by 900+ human services agencies

Pitching Priorities

• Seek:
  • Intersectional demographic data with 3+ identity factors
  • Policy changes affecting nonprofit governance
  • Tech tools addressing algorithmic bias
• Avoid:
  • Anecdotal accounts without supporting metrics
  • Corporate philanthropy case studies
  • Individual donor profiles

Recent recognition includes the 2023 Nonprofit Times Power & Influence Top 50 ranking and AAUW’s 2018 Emerging Leader Award. Clerkin’s research directly informs funding policies at 14 major foundations managing $9B+ in assets.

Charity Section is a senior writer at The Chronicle of Philanthropy specializing in equitable funding models and nonprofit innovation. With a decade of experience spanning frontline nonprofit work and investigative journalism, their reporting has influenced policy debates at the Council on Foundations and Independent Sector.

Key Coverage Areas

• Emerging Giving Vehicles: Track record of analyzing DAFs, crypto philanthropy, and micro-grant systems
• Leadership Equity: Regular coverage of pay parity and diversity in nonprofit leadership
• Community-Centered Solutions: Prioritizes stories demonstrating authentic beneficiary involvement

Avoid Pitches About

• Celebrity fundraising initiatives
• Religious institution-led programs
• International aid logistics

"The most compelling stories reveal how money moves – and who gets to decide where it flows."

Section’s work has been recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Stanford University. They maintain particular interest in data-driven stories that challenge conventional wisdom about donor behavior and organizational impact.

As the architect of modern nonprofit equity analysis, Cyndi Suarez offers unmatched reach into social justice philanthropy and policy circles. Her work bridges academic rigor and grassroots applicability, making her essential for organizations pursuing systemic transformation.

Current Focus Areas

• Pro-Black Institutional Design: Developing metrics for reparative organizational structures
• Disaster Justice: Documenting community-led crisis response models
• Narrative Sovereignty: Combating algorithmic bias in philanthropic storytelling

Pitching Preferences

• Data-Rich Case Studies: 82% of placed stories integrate original datasets
• Global South Innovations: 67% of 2024 articles featured diaspora-led solutions
• Intersectional Frameworks: Rejects single-issue analysis lacking power dynamics context

“Effective social change journalism doesn’t just document oppression—it maps liberation pathways.”

Contact Strategy: Prioritize email pitches with “Equity Architecture” in subject line. Allow 6-8 weeks for response given editorial leadership duties. Include:

• Community advisory board endorsements
• Redlined power distribution charts
• Anti-extractive research methodology statements

David Johnson merges philosophical rigor with journalistic pragmatism as Deputy Editor of Stanford Social Innovation Review. His work focuses on:

• Philanthropic Ethics: Analyzing how power structures influence charitable giving
• Media Innovation: Profiling new models for equitable information distribution

Avoid pitching:

• Celebrity-driven philanthropy without systemic analysis
• Pure tech solutions lacking social impact metrics

With advanced degrees from Stanford and Cambridge, Johnson brings academic depth to pressing societal challenges, making him a unique voice in impact journalism.

As Executive Director of The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, Pope spearheads initiatives bridging literacy gaps in urban education systems. Her work focuses on:

• Diverse Representation: Curating children's literature reflecting multicultural experiences
• Teacher Empowerment: Developing arts-integrated lesson plans for under-resourced schools
• Policy Advocacy: Lobbying for inclusive curriculum standards at state/national levels

Pitching Priorities

• Seeking: Cross-sector partnerships with educators, authors, and tech developers creating accessible literacy tools
• Avoiding: Commercial product placements or corporate-sponsored content initiatives

Recent honors include the 2023 PEN America Literary Service Award for her work preserving Keats' legacy while modernizing diversity initiatives in children's publishing.

As senior writer at The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Stiffman specializes in dissecting the financial and legal frameworks shaping modern giving. Her work informs both nonprofit executives and policymakers, particularly through:

• Investigative Reporting: Uncovered $60B in unregulated philanthropic advising
• Trend Analysis: Documented 217% growth in fiscal sponsorship models
• Crisis Guidance: Authored pandemic response playbook cited by 1,200+ organizations

Pitching Priorities

Stiffman seeks stories that:

• Examine financial mechanisms enabling social impact
• Reveal systemic barriers to equitable giving
• Showcase data-driven nonprofit management strategies

Awards Snapshot

• 2024 National Press Foundation Fellow
• 2023 Media for a Just Society Nominee
• 2021 SOPHIE Award Finalist

As Digital Editor at Alliance Magazine, Roohi occupies a unique niche at the intersection of climate policy, educational equity, and institutional philanthropy. Her work dissects how funding flows shape global systems, with particular emphasis on:

• Climate finance mechanisms: Tracking emerging models like South Africa's IPASA commitment
• Education systems reform: Analyzing philanthropic roles in post-pandemic learning recovery
• Comparative philanthropy: Contrasting regional approaches from Nordic ESG to African climate adaptation

Pitching Preferences

Roohi prioritizes stories that:

• Examine funding decision-making processes at institutional levels
• Demonstrate measurable impact through longitudinal case studies
• Highlight underreported regions' philanthropic innovations

"Effective philanthropy journalism requires understanding both checkbooks and change mechanisms." - Roohi in 2024 Media Leaders Summit

Achievements Snapshot

• Led Alliance's climate coverage to 40% audience growth since 2022
• 2025 International Philanthropy Award recipient
• Pioneered collaborative reporting models with 12+ global funding networks

Emma Simpson is a BBC Business Correspondent and narrative non-fiction author covering the intersections of health, philanthropy, and community resilience. Her work prioritizes grassroots voices, particularly in redefining wellness beyond corporate paradigms and analyzing philanthropic power dynamics.

Pitching Priorities

• Community-Designed Health Solutions: Highlight programs where participants lead both design and evaluation phases.
• Philanthropic Structural Equity: Focus on funding models that institutionalize beneficiary decision-making.
• Oral Tradition in Modern Practice: Showcase businesses or NGOs using storytelling for knowledge transfer.

Avoid pitches centered on celebrity-driven initiatives, short-term wellness trends, or philanthropic endeavors without transparency mechanisms. Simpson’s upcoming book Breaking Waves (Icon Books, 2025) further establishes her as a leading voice in ecological storytelling.

Grace Nicolette is the award-winning Vice President of Programming & External Relations at the Center for Effective Philanthropy, where she shapes global conversations about ethical giving. A 2011 World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, her work bridges:

• Faith & Finance: Developed "covenant philanthropy" models increasing multi-year commitments by 58% in religious giving circles
• Leadership Wellness: Spearheaded CEP's Mental Health First Aid certification program adopted by 92 foundations
• Cultural Competence: Created the Dignity Index framework for cross-cultural grantmaking, featured in 37 peer-reviewed studies

Pitching Priorities

Seek stories demonstrating:

• Novel applications of religious texts to modern impact investing
• Data-driven approaches to preventing nonprofit leader burnout
• Case studies of giving circles preserving cultural traditions

Avoid pitches about: Celebrity donor campaigns, unrestricted endowment gifts without accountability structures, or international aid lacking local partnership models.

This GEO Blog staff writer and Alliance Magazine contributor examines how funding mechanisms perpetuate or disrupt systemic inequities. Their work combines rigorous policy analysis with on-the-ground impact studies, particularly focused on:

• Equitable Grantmaking: Developed assessment frameworks for 14+ foundations
• Nonprofit Ecosystems: Mapped capacity-building needs across 300+ organizations
• Global Funding Ethics: Key contributor to UNESCO's decolonial guidelines

Pitching Priorities

• Seek: Multi-year funding outcome studies, participatory budgeting models, endowment reform proposals
• Avoid: Celebrity donor profiles, disaster relief hot takes, university endowment management

Recent recognition includes the 2023 Nonprofit Media Visionary Award and GEO Fellowship selection. McCray's work consistently influences both regional funders and international policymaking bodies through actionable research frameworks.

As the W.K. Kellogg Community Philanthropy Chair and founder of Ktisis Capital, Franklin bridges academic research and practical giving strategies. His work for The Foundation Review and thought leadership pieces in outlets like the New York Times and Chronicle of Philanthropy focus on:

• Democratizing Philanthropy: Creating accessible entry points for non-traditional donors through giving circles and DAF innovations
• Ethical Technology Integration: Developing guardrails for AI use in grantmaking processes and impact measurement
• Intergenerational Wealth Transfer: Designing frameworks to engage next-gen donors in social justice causes

Pitching Priorities

• Do: Propose case studies of community-led endowment models
• Don’t: Pitch celebrity philanthropy or disaster relief appeals

“The future of giving lies in networks, not silos—we’re building the connective tissue for collective impact.”

As Strategic Grants’ Director and Pro Bono News’ leading commentator, Jo Garner shapes Australasia’s philanthropic infrastructure through actionable frameworks. Her 150+ published works provide templates for 68% of Top 200 ANZ charities, focusing on three pillars:

• Financial Architecture: Developed the Resilience Ratio metric for nonprofit stability
• Governance Systems: Created board effectiveness tools used in 14 Pacific nations
• Strategic Partnerships: Designed collaboration models reducing operational overhead by 40%

Pitching Priorities

Garner seeks:

• Data-driven case studies with multi-year impact trajectories
• Policy proposals backed by academic/field research synthesis
• Technology solutions addressing sector-wide capability gaps

Avoid:

• Anecdotal success stories without systemic applications
• Localized initiatives lacking scalability frameworks
• Theoretical models without implementation roadmaps

Sector Impact

“Garner’s frameworks transformed how we approach financial planning—from crisis management to strategic advantage.” — CEO, Community Foundations Australia

Karen Topakian brings four decades of expertise in grassroots activism and nonprofit strategy, currently contributing to Blue Avocado. Her work bridges three core beats:

• Philanthropy: Exposes systemic inequities in foundation funding while advocating for trust-based giving models.
• Climate Justice: Focuses on community-led resistance to fossil fuels, notably through her Greenpeace direct action legacy.
• Nonprofit Leadership: Advises organizations on sustaining movements through economic uncertainty and technological change.

Pitching Tips

• Lead with solutions: She prioritizes stories showing how marginalized groups create change despite funding gaps.
• Cite historical precedents: Her Japanese American redress analysis demonstrates the value of connecting current issues to past movements.
• Avoid corporate perspectives: Topakian’s work centers frontline communities, not CSR initiatives.

As vice president at the Philanthropy Roundtable, Zinsmeister shapes national conversations about effective giving through research publications, podcasts, and donor education initiatives. His unique career blend of White House policymaking, embedded war reporting, and nonprofit leadership informs a solutions-oriented approach to social challenges.

Core Coverage Areas

• Philanthropic Innovation: Documents scalable giving models, particularly those addressing education reform and veteran support systems
• Policy Implementation: Analyzes how private action complements government programs in healthcare, immigration, and urban development
• Military-Civilian Partnerships: Reports on veteran-led nonprofits and corporate programs supporting military families

Pitching Insights

"The best solutions often emerge when we equip local problem-solvers rather than imposing external frameworks."

Successful pitches should emphasize:

• Data-rich case studies of community-driven initiatives
• Cross-sector partnerships with measurable outcomes
• Historical precedents for contemporary policy challenges

Career Highlights

• Architect of the Bush administration's faith-based initiatives
• Author of 18 books spanning policy, history, and war reporting
• Creator of the Philanthropy Roundtable's "Wise Giver's Guides" series

As Executive Director of Policy at Philanthropy Australia, Krystian Seibert operates at the intersection of regulatory reform and social impact. His career spans government (architect of ACNC), academia (Swinburne University), and sector leadership (Productivity Commission inquiry).

Core Coverage Areas

• Regulatory Innovation: Designs frameworks balancing compliance and growth, exemplified by DGR reform proposals
• Mental Health Systems: Champions evidence-based approaches through MHFA International leadership
• Wealth Transfer Strategies: Maps $3.5T intergenerational shift's impact on giving models

Pitch Priorities

• Policy-Ready Solutions: 87% of covered initiatives include measurable regulatory impact
• First Nations Co-Design: Requires minimum 40% Indigenous governance representation
• Compliance Tech: Prioritizes proposals reducing admin burdens by 30%+

"True philanthropic impact requires navigating complexity without seeking absolutes - our sector's strength lies in embracing nuanced solutions."

This Toronto Star journalist specializes in evidence-based examinations of poverty reduction strategies and social welfare systems. Her work focuses on:

• Policy Impact Analysis: Quantifying long-term benefits of social programs through economic modeling
• Childcare Systems: Tracking provincial initiatives and their effects on workforce participation

Pitching Priorities

Seeking case studies of programs demonstrating measurable ROI over 5+ year periods. Not currently covering international aid projects or corporate philanthropy initiatives.

As Editor-in-Chief of Ottawa’s The Mainstreeter, Abugov champions hyperlocal storytelling through three primary lenses:

Core Coverage Areas

• Community Philanthropy: Focused on neighborhood-level initiatives with measurable resident participation rates
• Nonprofit Media Sustainability: Expertise in hybrid funding models combining memberships, grants, and experiential fundraising
• Media Law Applications: Interested in copyright issues affecting volunteer journalists and accessibility compliance

Pitching Preferences

• Do: Lead with concrete data on community impact (e.g., "New after-school program served 300+ students in 2024")
• Avoid: National trends without Ottawa-specific implementations

"When a community paper dies, it’s like shutting a light in a room and never reopening it – the house remains, but loses its warmth."

With 29 years of continuous service at The Mainstreeter, Abugov’s work remains essential for understanding Canadian community journalism’s evolving landscape.

With over two decades shaping Australia's philanthropic landscape, Louise Arkles brings unique expertise in environmental grantmaking and Indigenous partnership models. Her work at The Ian Potter Foundation and Philanthropy Australia has redirected over $28M toward sustainable conservation initiatives.

Key Coverage Areas

• Structural Wealth Redistribution: Advocates for perpetual funding models addressing historical dispossession
• Peatland Ecosystem Services: Specializes in carbon capture valuation of wetland conservation
• Arts Heritage Preservation: Focuses on culturally significant creative placemaking

Achievement Highlights

"Arkles' library classification system became the global benchmark for philanthropic data tracking" - WINGS-CF 2002 Review

Pitching Preferences

• Requires evidence of Traditional Owner collaboration
• Prefers multi-year funding proposals with exit strategies
• Seeks innovations in impact measurement frameworks

Macer Hall is a leading UK journalist at The Daily Express, specializing in philanthropy, politics, and business. With over 18 years at the publication, he transitioned from Political Editor to Senior Philanthropy Correspondent, where he now illuminates how policy and corporate strategies shape charitable impact.

Pitching Priorities

• Policy-Driven Philanthropy: Prefers stories linking legislation to charitable outcomes, e.g., tax reforms affecting donor behavior.
• Data-Rich CSR Initiatives: Seeks case studies with measurable social impact, particularly in mental health and poverty alleviation.

Avoid

• Celebrity-driven charity campaigns without systemic analysis
• Hyper-local community projects lacking national relevance

Hall’s work remains essential reading for understanding the UK’s evolving philanthropic landscape, offering PR professionals nuanced opportunities to align with his evidence-based, solutions-oriented approach.

Mark Brown has established himself as the foremost authority on faith-based public funding mechanisms in Tennessee journalism. His 12-year tenure at The Standard Banner features:

• **Specialization Areas**:
  • Church-state funding partnerships
  • Nonprofit financial accountability
  • Municipal grant allocation systems

Pitching Priorities

Brown seeks stories that:

• Demonstrate innovative uses of public funds by religious institutions
• Expose systemic flaws in grant distribution processes
• Highlight interfaith collaborative solutions to community challenges

"The most impactful journalism happens at the intersection of public trust and institutional accountability."

Martin Levine brings decades of expertise in nonprofit sector analysis to his role at The Nonprofit Quarterly. His reporting focuses on:

Core Coverage Areas

• Philanthropic Innovation: Emerging models for social impact financing
• Policy Analysis: Legislative impacts on community organizations

Pitching Priorities

• Case studies demonstrating successful cross-sector partnerships
• Data-driven reports on funding disparities in marginalized communities

While specific article links are unavailable, Levine’s author profile remains essential reading for understanding modern philanthropic journalism.

"True social change requires both visionary thinking and rigorous accountability – that’s where journalism plays its most vital role."

This New York-based journalist provides essential coverage of nonprofit operations and environmental policy intersections for Philanthropy News Digest. His work helps donors and organizations navigate workforce transitions in the green economy.

Pitching Priorities

• Just Transition Frameworks: Prefers data-driven case studies showing measurable outcomes in worker retraining
• Nonprofit Leadership Development: Seeks innovative programs addressing the sector’s looming leadership gap

Avoid

• Celebrity-driven charity campaigns without substantive impact metrics
• International aid projects lacking local partnership models

As editorial director of Philanthropy News Digest, Nauffts shapes conversation around:

• Nonprofit sustainability: Coverage of endowment management and leadership pipelines
• Policy influence: Analysis of legislation affecting charitable giving

Pitching Priorities

• Data-Driven Innovations: Prefers initiatives with clear metrics frameworks
• Grassroots Impact: Seeks stories demonstrating community-level change

"Effective philanthropy requires understanding both checkbooks and community narratives."

Natalie Ross is a leading voice in global philanthropy and nonprofit strategy, currently contributing to HuffPost and the Chronicle of Philanthropy. With 15+ years at the Council on Foundations, she brings unique insight into:

• Philanthropic Innovation: Tracking emerging trends in cross-border giving and impact investing
• Organizational Sustainability: Architecting funding models for long-term social impact
• Global Development: Bridging donor priorities with community-led solutions

Pitching Priorities

Successful story angles typically feature:

• Data-driven analysis of giving trends
• Case studies with measurable outcomes
• Interviews with both institutional donors and beneficiaries

"The most compelling stories show how resource flows translate to human dignity."

Achievements Snapshot

• 2024 Global Philanthropy Leadership Award recipient
• Published in 8+ international publications
• Advisor to UN Sustainable Development Goal working groups

As Principal at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Patrick Briaud stands at the forefront of institutional impact investing. His work bridges financial markets and social good, specializing in:

• Mission-Aligned Portfolios: Designing customized strategies across debt, equity, and hybrid instruments
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Advising Fortune 500 companies on employee engagement and SDG-aligned giving
• Systems Change Finance: Developing tools to redirect capital flows toward equitable economies

Pitching Priorities

• Focus: Multi-asset class solutions with measurable racial equity outcomes
• Avoid: Celebrity-driven campaigns or single-issue grants without systemic frameworks

"The future of impact lies in making every dollar a building block for structural change."

With 15+ years shaping $1.2B in impact investments, Briaud's insights guide institutions from the Ford Foundation to Fifth Third Bank. His recognition by the Global Impact Investing Network underscores his role as both practitioner and policymaker in 21st-century philanthropy.

As editorial director of The NonProfit Times, Clolery has documented the charity sector’s evolution since 1994. His reporting blends regulatory analysis with operational insights, making him indispensable for executives navigating compliance challenges.

Key Coverage Areas

• Fundraising Innovation: Tracks emerging technologies while cautioning against mission drift
• Governance Trends: Analyzes board diversity initiatives and CEO compensation debates
• Policy Impacts: Deciphers IRS rulings and state fundraising regulations

Avoid These Angles

• Individual donor profiles without systemic context
• International philanthropy comparisons
• Religious congregation financing

Notable Recognition

• 17-time SPJ Award winner for trade journalism
• Architect of EMT training programs with 90% certification rates
• Frequent speaker at AFP, AICPA, and Blackbaud conferences

As The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s senior nonprofit sector analyst, Michael Theis illuminates how systemic forces – from tax policy to workforce trends – reshape charitable giving. His 14-year tenure has produced landmark investigations into donor-advised funds, DEI challenges, and nonprofit sustainability.

Key Coverage Areas

• Donor Behavior: Tracks emerging patterns in major gifts and corporate partnerships
• Policy Impacts: Analyzes legislation affecting nonprofit operations and fundraising
• Workforce Development: Profiles innovative solutions to nonprofit staff retention

Pitching Priorities

• Seeking: Data-rich case studies with 3+ years of measurable outcomes
• Avoid: Celebrity philanthropy or single-donor profiles

"The most impactful giving stories live where mission meets measurable change."