619. Hold Fast: The Heart of Generosity: Trust, Belonging, and Community (Hali Lee)
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Overview
How do you fund what matters when everything feels urgent—and uncertain? In this episode of our Hold Fast series, we sit down with Hali Lee—philanthropy innovator, author of The Big We, and founding partner of Radiant Strategies—for a candid conversation on funding with heart, courage, and community at the center.
Hali shares hard-earned wisdom from building collective giving movements like the Asian Women Giving Circle and Donors of Color Network, reminding us that generosity flows through relationships, not just resources. Together, we explore how nonprofits can build trust-based funding relationships, embrace smart shifts toward diversification, and create spaces of belonging that inspire action. ❤️
If you’ve been craving practical strategies and soulful encouragement for navigating power imbalances, donor shifts, and fundraising burnout—this episode is your invitation to pause, reflect, and root deeper.
You'll hear:
Why now is the moment for individuals—and for belonging
Building trust without losing yourself
Small teams, smart shifts: diversifying without burning out
Collective giving models for grassroots growth
Resources Mentioned:
Book: "The Big We" by Hali Lee
Donors of Color Research and Network Build Report
Dr. Vivek Murthy's letter in People Magazine about loneliness and community
The States Project
Today’s Guest
Hali Lee, Founding Partner of Radical Strategies.
“Less preaching, more listening. When we truly hear each other’s stories, real connection begins.”
Episode Transcript
Download Full Episode Transcript Here
Episode Highlights
The Importance of Relationships in Philanthropy (02:55)
Navigating Urgency and Trust in Nonprofits (05:59)
The Future of Philanthropy: Inclusivity and Collaboration (09:01)
Collective Generosity vs Big Philanthropy (12:11)
Connecting Through Shared Experiences (22:39)
The Power of Community and Belonging (24:06)
Grassroots Movement for Collective Action (26:03)
Finding Joy in Connection (30:43)
Empowering Individuals to Create Change (32:37)
Powerful Quotes
"We often overthink generosity, making it more complicated than it needs to be." - Hali Lee
"People notice when they're included based solely on appearance."- Hali Lee
“Deep listening and thoughtful questioning lead to profound insights." - Hali Lee
"Every dollar we spend reflects our values, whether on dining or charitable giving." - Hali Lee
“There is an epidemic of loneliness in this country that is literally killing us. The cure for loneliness is not necessarily expensive. It's belonging.”
- Hali Lee
Hali Lee’s One Good Thing: "When individuals come together—whether moms around a kitchen table or friends bridging rural and urban divides—they can organize, raise resources, and drive powerful change across the country."
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