The Why and the How of the End: Featuring Tom Donley and Jenny Convey

03/26/24 • 40 min

Trustees from two generations of the sunsetting Donley Foundation, Tom Donley and Jenny Convey, speak frankly about the history, evolution, and decision to dissolve their family’s foundation. In just over one year following the board’s decision to spend-down, the assets were distributed, and the foundation closed. They’re honest, direct, reflective, and generous in sharing their experience and perspectives on helping to shepherd the next phase of the family’s philanthropy.

Bonus: Here are some excerpts from the brochure Tom mentions at the end of the episode: Jim Collins’ Good to Great and the Social Sectors.

Do you have a story to share? Reach out at [email protected]. I'd love to talk with you!
Stefanie Borsari, Linked In
Artwork by Justin Novick
Special Thanks to Daya Ottley

Bonus: Here are some excerpts from the brochure Tom mentions at the end of the episode: Jim Collins’ Good to Great and the Social Sectors.

Do you have a story to share? Reach out at [email protected]. I'd love to talk with you!
Stefanie Borsari, Linked In
Artwork by Justin Novick
Special Thanks to Daya Ottley

Previous Episode

Agog About Governance: Mary Phillips, Founder & Senior Advisor of GMA Foundations

What do stories about a rug, a cat, and the minister of a Congregational church have in common, and what do they have to do with philanthropy? You’ll understand once you hear Mary Phillips, founder and senior advisor of GMA Foundations, one of the country’s first philanthropic advisory firms, help explain myriad governance options for private foundations. If you’re contemplating starting a private foundation, this is a MUST LISTEN as you move forward!

Bonus: Mary spotlights one of her favorite professional stories – that being her early experience with a funder who desired to improve a neighborhood in Roxbury/North Dorchester, MA. The Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, which continues to be an active and thriving grassroots organization, grew out of an important encounter between that funder and residents of the neighborhood the funder wished support. For a deeper understanding of DSNI, check out their website, the book Streets of Hope: The Fall and Rise of an Urban Neighborhood and see if you can track down the documentaries Holding Ground: The Rebirth of Dudley Street (1996) and its sequel, Gaining Ground (2013).

Do you have a story to share? Reach out at [email protected]. I'd love to talk with you!
Stefanie Borsari, Linked In
Artwork by Justin Novick
Special Thanks to Daya Ottley

Next Episode

Communications for the Greater Good: Emily Goodstein, CEO/Founder of Greater Good Strategy

Founder + CEO of Greater Good Strategy Emily Goodstein joins Giving Voices in today’s episode that centers around the theme of communication. We cover all manner of topics ranging from our mutual disappointment in the results of Exponent Philanthropy’s survey, “How Grantees Think Funders Should Improve” to whether Pinterest is still relevant, with lots of personal nuggets and professional observations in between.
Bonus: Here's that report from Exponent Philanthropy: How Grantees Think Funders Should Improve. What do you think? Drop me a line at [email protected]!

Do you have a story to share? Reach out at [email protected]. I'd love to talk with you!
Stefanie Borsari, Linked In
Artwork by Justin Novick
Special Thanks to Daya Ottley