THE KEY: A Fresh Look at Philanthropy with Guest Contributor Eva Fordham, Expert Philanthropy
Eva Fordham believes that the act of giving should be as fulfilling as the impact it creates. With 20 years of fundraising experience at large-scale organizations, Eva has seen how philanthropy’s complexity can often overshadow its joy. She founded Expert Philanthropy to change that, serving as a strategic bridge between high-net-worth families and their most valued causes.
Eva’s true passion lies in the personal connection of the process; she loves helping others navigate the charitable landscape to find missions that truly resonate with their values. By removing the logistical “overwhelm,” she ensures her clients can focus on the heart of their giving rather than the paperwork. Whether advising on local education or global humanitarian relief, Eva’s goal is to transform every client’s charitable vision into an inspirational, stress-free reality.
Host’s Note
We talk often about aligning capital with purpose and how the decisions we make today shape outcomes and impact.
This month, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Eva Fordham, founder of Expert Philanthropy, to explore how charitable giving is evolving, and why that evolution matters now more than ever. With an estimated $124 trillion expected to transfer between generations over the next two decades, this isn’t just a conversation about dollars. It’s a conversation about intention, legacy, and how families want to engage with the world around them.
What struck me most in our discussion is that philanthropy today isn’t simply about where money goes. It’s about how intentionally it gets there and who is involved in the process.
Watch the complete interview HERE.
Sara Hobbs, Forecastle Financial
THE SCALE OF CHANGE
To put things into perspective, the sheer magnitude of wealth in transition is difficult to overstate. Current projections suggest that roughly $124 trillion will move between generations through 2048, with about $18 trillion of that already expected to be directed toward charitable causes.
That level of capital has the potential to redefine the philanthropic landscape. But the real story isn’t just the size of the dollars. It’s the mindset behind them.
A NEW APPROACH TO GIVING
Historically, philanthropy has followed a traditional path. Many families supported institutions they knew well, such as universities, hospitals, or organizations with long-standing reputations. These decisions were often rooted in familiarity and trust, and in many cases, they still are.
However, what Eva is seeing across the clients and families she works with is a distinct shift, particularly among next-generation donors. While they continue to respect established institutions, they are far more interested in understanding the direct impact of their giving.
This often translates into a more hands-on approach. Instead of simply making a contribution, next-gen donors are asking questions, engaging more deeply with organizations, and in many cases, choosing to support smaller nonprofits where they feel their involvement can make a measurable difference. Volunteering, relationship-building, and ongoing dialogue have become just as important as the financial gift itself.
There’s also a noticeable emphasis on transparency and accountability. Donors increasingly want to understand not just what an organization does, but how effectively it does it and whether the outcomes align with their personal values.
THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE GIVING
One of the more interesting developments we discussed is the rise in giving circles. At their core, these are groups of individuals, most often peers, who come together to pool resources and make collective decisions about where their money will go.
While the structure is relatively straightforward, the impact can be significant. For many individuals, particularly those newer to philanthropy, giving can feel overwhelming. There are endless causes to consider and countless organizations to evaluate. In that context, having a trusted community to exchange ideas with can make the process both more manageable and more meaningful.
What makes these groups particularly compelling is the collaborative nature of decision-making. Rather than operating in isolation, participants benefit from shared perspectives, collective research, and a deeper sense of accountability to the outcome. In many cases, these groups are also supported by professional advisors, which helps ensure that both the strategy and execution remain thoughtful and structured.
WHEN THOUGHTFULNESS MATTERS MORE THAN SIZE
One of the more nuanced points Eva raised is something many donors don’t initially consider: Not every nonprofit is in a position to absorb a large gift effectively.
It’s natural to assume that more funding is always better. But in practice, a significant influx of capital can create operational challenges for smaller organizations that may not yet have the infrastructure to deploy those funds efficiently. In some cases, it can even introduce unintended complications, whether operational or financial.
This is where careful planning becomes essential. Eva’s work often involves evaluating the financial health and readiness of an organization, reviewing factors like cash flow, staffing structure, and long-term sustainability. The goal is not simply to give generously. It’s to ensure that the gift is aligned with both the donor’s intent and the organization’s ability to use it well.
NAVIGATING FAMILY DYNAMICS
Philanthropy becomes even more complex when viewed through the lens of family wealth.
As assets pass from one generation to the next, differing perspectives inevitably emerge. Older generations may feel strongly connected to longstanding causes, while younger family members may be drawn to entirely different issues or approaches.
Eva shared an example of a family navigating this kind of tension, where a next-generation member challenged long-held investment practices that didn’t align with her values. Through dialogue and persistence, she was able to help the family rethink its approach and ultimately realign its strategy.
Of course, not every situation resolves so smoothly. In some cases, family foundations are dissolved, and the assets are divided into individual donor-advised funds, allowing each person to pursue their own charitable direction independently.
What becomes clear in these scenarios is that alignment rarely happens by default. It requires conversation, intention, and often a willingness to revisit long-standing assumptions.
WHERE WEALTH MANAGEMENT IS HEADED
This shift in philanthropic thinking is also influencing the broader wealth management landscape.
A statistic we discussed highlights just how much change is underway. As many as 70–80% of heirs change their wealth managers within two years of inheriting assets. That alone suggests a significant gap between what was historically provided and what is now expected.
Today’s clients are increasingly looking for guidance that goes beyond investment performance. They want advice that incorporates purpose, values, and long-term impact. As a result, many firms are beginning to integrate philanthropy more directly into their planning conversations, either by building in-house expertise or partnering with specialists like Eva.
In doing so, they’re moving toward a more holistic model—one that recognizes financial decisions not just as technical exercises, but as reflections of personal and family priorities.
THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY
Technology is beginning to play a role in this evolution as well. New platforms are emerging that allow donors to track the impact of their giving in ways that feel more familiar, almost like reviewing an investment portfolio.
These tools can provide detailed insights into how funds are being deployed and what outcomes are being achieved. However, as Eva pointed out, their effectiveness ultimately depends on the quality of the underlying data. Many nonprofits simply don’t have the resources to consistently capture and report information at that level of detail.
As a result, while these tools can be incredibly useful, they don’t replace the need for thoughtful analysis and experienced guidance.
START BEFORE YOU NEED TO
If there’s one piece of advice that stood out most clearly from our conversation, it’s this: Start early.
Too often, philanthropic planning is treated as something to address once a liquidity event occurs, or an inheritance is received. By that point, decisions may feel rushed, and opportunities for thoughtful alignment can be missed.
Eva encourages families to begin the conversation well in advance, years ahead, if possible. That means assembling the right team of advisors, engaging family members in the process, and developing a framework that can evolve over time.
Importantly, that framework doesn’t need to be rigid. In fact, it shouldn’t be. Values shift, priorities change, and new opportunities emerge. What matters is having a starting point and a structure that allows for intentional decision-making along the way.
A FINAL THOUGHT
Philanthropy is no longer a peripheral conversation in wealth management. It is becoming central to how families define both purpose and legacy.
What this moment presents is an opportunity. Not just to give more, but to give more thoughtfully. To involve more voices. To ask better questions. And ultimately, to create outcomes that feel as meaningful as they are impactful.
Eva’s work is a powerful reminder that the difference between giving and giving well often comes down to clarity, planning, and the willingness to engage deeply in the process.
Connect with Eva Fordham
Email: eva@expertphilanthropy.com
Website: expertphilanthropy.com
LinkedIn: Eva Fordham
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