105. Ten Toes Down: Building Bold, Inclusive Philanthropy in Uncertain Times
About this episode
Have you ever found yourself asking, “How can my organization truly move beyond performative gestures and build a culture of authentic, inclusive philanthropy?” If you’re a major gift officer, development director, executive director, or board member, you already know the stakes have never been higher.
The world is watching how we show up—not just in our fundraising goals, but in our values, our courage, and our willingness to lead through uncertainty. In this conversation, I share what I learned from the brilliant Maia McGill, a trailblazer in inclusive philanthropy, about how we can embed equity and intentionality into every facet of our work. Take a listen, and you’ll walk away with practical strategies, renewed inspiration, and a powerful reminder that the future of fundraising belongs to those bold enough to build it differently.
Centering Inclusive Philanthropy: More Than a Buzzword
Listening to Maia McGill, I was struck by her unwavering clarity: diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) can’t be an add-on or afterthought in our sector. For years, many of us have seen DEI show up as a campaign theme here, a training session there, or a line in a case statement. But as Maia shared, “It lacked depth, lacked accountability and 2020 changed that for me personally. It made it clear that DEI must be embedded into the very fabric of our fundraising philosophy and our practice”.
Maia’s call to action isn’t about optics or checking a box. She challenges us to interrogate how power shows up in our donor engagement, to ask whose voices are centered, and to examine which communities are positioned as recipients rather than as equal partners in change. This is about moving fundraising beyond transactional relationships and into transformational partnerships. It’s about using our platforms and proximity to power to push for equity—not just within our organizations, but in the broader systems we seek to impact.
Navigating Backlash and Institutional Risk Aversion
We’re living in a time when DEI work is under attack from multiple fronts. Maia didn’t shy away from the reality: “Executive orders and policy attacks targeting DEI have had a really chilling effect across the nonprofit sector... Institutions and organizations are increasingly fearful, fearful of being defunded or politically targeted. And as a result, many have gone silent... just when the communities they serve are seeking clarity and bold leadership”.
It’s tempting, in moments of fear or uncertainty, to soften our language, to rebrand our commitment to equity under broader, safer terms. But Maia warns that this kind of institutional risk aversion—making decisions out of hypothetical risk rather than data—can be more damaging than the perceived threat itself. “Ironically, in trying to avoid reputational harm, institutions may create it by appearing reactionary or even inauthentic. And that can result in the loss of credibility, erosion of trust with the communities that they serve, and the alienation of values-aligned donors who are actively seeking justice-centered organizations to invest in.”
So what’s the alternative? Maia urges us to reaffirm our commitment to DEI, not with performative statements, but with clear, transparent communication about why equity matters to our mission and long-term sustainability. This means budgeting for training, carving out time for honest conversations, and being willing to name the moral imperative of this work—even when it’s uncomfortable.
Building a Sustainable, Inclusive Future
The data is clear: people of color remain underrepresented in our profession, and yet, by 2045, the U.S. will be a majority-minority country. Maia reframes this as an opportunity, not a threat. “If we know that by 2045, that this number is going to be very real, then our strategies, our staffing, and our donor engagement models must reflect the reality of today, not react to it later,” she says. Representation isn’t just about who’s at the table—it’s about who feels invited to invest, whose values are honored, and whose leadership is trusted.
White allyship, Maia notes, is critical. It’s not about guilt or defensiveness, but about using influence to challenge bias, make space for access, and advocate for structural change—even when it’s uncomfortable. “White privilege is not the suggestion that white people have never struggled... Instead, white privilege should be viewed as a built-in advantage separate from one’s level of income or effort.” True allyship means co-creating environments where fundraisers of color can thrive without being tokenized, and where accountability is collective, not performative.
Above all, Maia reminds us that progress isn’t linear and gains aren’t guaranteed. “Every time we soften our language or dilute our goals or choose comfort over courage, we give ground that we may not get back. While I do believe in the return of equity as a core value in our sector, I don’t believe it will happen naturally. It will happen when we disrupt the cycles, not when we wait for them to finish."
The Future Belongs to the Bold
If there’s one thing I took from my conversation with Maia McGill, it’s that the work of inclusive philanthropy is a movement, not a moment. Our sector needs bold imagination, clear values, and unapologetic action. Whether you’re a fundraiser, nonprofit leader, donor, or board member, your voice and your courage are needed now more than ever.
Let’s lead with intentionality, stand ten toes down in our values, and build a future where philanthropy is truly transformational.
If this conversation resonated with you, I invite you to leave a comment below and share this post with colleagues who are ready to be part of this movement. Let’s keep the conversation—and the momentum—going.
With heaps of gratitude,
Tammy Zonker
Major Gift Expert & Keynote Speaker
Our guest
Maia McGill, Founder, Inclusive Philanthropy Institute / CEO, Maia McGill Consulting / Advocate for Marginalized Communities / Faculty, Modern Institute for Charitable Giving
LinkedIn / Contact / Website
“The work of inclusive philanthropy isn't a moment. It’s a movement. And movements are sustained by people who are willing to lead with courage, to challenge the norms and to hold the line, stand ten toes down in equity, even when the tide shifts.”
Maia McGill, Founder, Inclusive Philanthropy Institute / CEO, Maia McGill Consulting / Advocate for Marginalized Communities / Faculty, Modern Institute for Charitable Giving
Resources mentioned in this episode
Instrumentl: Experience the future of grant management with Instrumentl
Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA)
The Intentional Fundraiser podcast has been selected by FeedSpot as one of the Top 80 Fundraising Podcasts on the web—and we’re honored to be ranked No. 11!
We’re thrilled to share some exciting news with our community! The Intentional Fundraiser podcast has been selected by FeedSpot as one of the Top 80 Fundraising Podcasts on the web—and we’re honored to be ranked No. 11!
This recognition means so much to us, and it wouldn’t be possible without your support, encouragement, and thoughtful engagement. Every listen, share, and conversation has helped us grow and reach more passionate fundraisers like you.
Thank you for being part of our journey! We can’t wait to keep bringing you inspiring stories, practical tips, and meaningful conversations to help you fundraise with intention and impact.
Here’s to making a difference—together!
Rate, review, and follow on Apple Podcasts
“I love Tammy and The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast” 👈 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This will enable me to reach more fundraisers — just like you — and help them become better fundraisers, faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.
Subscribe to this podcast
Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to this podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now!
Connect with Tammy Zonker on social
You can also connect with Tammy on Twitter and Instagram at @tammyzonker, and on LinkedIn.
We can help you take your fundraising results to the next level
To get started, learn more about joining our exclusive Transformers Community.