Philanthropy 101: A Place to Start
Philanthropy 101 is a short, no-pitch virtual salon for people at the start of their giving lives.
In one hour, we'll quickly map the landscape of how people give, the different styles, formats, and mindsets. Begin to locate yourself on it and leave with a better understanding of what has been tried (and what has failed) as part of shaping your thinking and Giving Identity. This is a place to start thinking, not a place to be sold to.
Walk away with: a one-page sketch to anchor your giving approach, a clearer sense of your own style and Giving Identity, and a map of next steps.
Hosted by: Megan Bentley of Humainkind and Chris Worman of GivingTuesday.
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DETAILS:
If you've reached a point where you can give meaningfully, the first and most overlooked question isn't where, it's how. What kind of giver are you? What do you actually believe about impact, trust, and change? What would make you proud of your giving in twenty years, not just relieved to have done something?
Most conversations about giving jump straight to "where should the money go?" This one doesn't.
What we'll explore:
The major philosophies of giving, from trust-based philanthropy (think: Mackenzie Scott) to effective altruism and everything in between – and the tradeoffs each makes
The formats and vehicles giving can take, from a checkbook and a foundation to a pooled fund and charitable LLC
A set of questions designed to surface what you actually value
Where to go next once you have a first sketch of your own giving identity
Who it's for: People new to giving at scale who want to start thoughtfully, in good company, before locking anything in.
Format: Live and virtual, 60 minutes, cameras on, captions on, capped at a small group of humans so it stays a real conversation with live people.
RECOMMENDED BEFORE JOINING
Buy a new physical notebook and pen that makes you feel good to take notes during this salon. It can serve as the start of your own personal Giving Journal. For the non analog types, creating a designated digital space (Google doc, AI notepad, etc) is fine, too.
YOUR HOSTS
Megan Bentley is the Founder of Humainkind, an AI literacy, enablement, and community consulting practice. She previously built and operationalized the first formal AI governance function at Visa, serves on the boards of two nonprofits focused on human enablement, spends time in East Africa on wildlife conservation, and was named among the 100 Most Brilliant Women in AI Ethics for 2025. A philanthropist herself, she is passionate about helping others become philanthropists, too. Based in SF.
Christopher (Chris) Worman, Chief Global Strategy and Partnership Officer at GivingTuesday has spent more than 20 years working at the intersection of philanthropy, impact investing, technology, and community organizing. He and his team of ~35 people around the world organize year-round programming to understand, uplift, and activate the cultures of mutual aid and solidarity that are lifeblood and fundamental to civic life and civil society. Together with hundreds of national and community leaders, they last year mobilized more than 50 million people, and more than $5B with and for civil society. Chris is also Board Chair of WINGS, ConnectHumanity, and a trustee of the Romanian American Foundation. He teaches masters level programming at the University of Vienna School of Economics, and is a proud father. Based in Amsterdam.
If you find this salon helpful, we will have more exclusive events coming soon, both virtual and in-person. We are here for you as neutral resources as you hone your Giving Identity. Whatsapp Megan your name and interests if you want to join in the future: 1.910.352.9096