Trustee Perspectives on Trust-Based Philanthropy
Since 2010, bi3, the philanthropic initiative of Bethesda, Inc., has invested $95 million to transform and enhance health in Greater Cincinnati. In the following videos, Bethesda Inc. Trustees Chair, Dr. Robert Collins, and former Trustee, Ellen Katz, share about the impact of trust-based philanthropy and the role boards play in supporting their organizations on their trust-based journey.
Robert Collins, MD, Bethesda, Inc. Board of Trustees Chair:
“The key was that the Board was introduced to the people we helped along the way, and they enlightened us and showed us the right road to travel, and that road happened to be trust-based philanthropy because that’s the road that takes us to enlightenment.”
Ellen Katz, Former Bethesda, Inc. Board Trustee & Chair:
“We work together to determine what is possible. Get clear on the roles of the funder - what we are and what we aren’t. We’re not actually producing the results, the grantees are, and we respect that and try to find how we can be most supportive to them as opposed to having expectations that we’re asking them to jump to”
Robert Collins, MD, Bethesda, Inc. Board of Trustees Chair:
“Listen twice as much as you speak. Maybe three times as much as you speak. Learn [and] understand that everyone has something to teach you, and understand that you can't lose in this game.”