Artwork

Content provided by Jason Rissman. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Jason Rissman or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!

Movement infrastructure investing with Pisces Foundation David Beckman, Ep #116

40:44
 
Share
 

Manage episode 490543865 series 3342257
Content provided by Jason Rissman. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Jason Rissman or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

In this Deep Dive series on Climate Philanthropy, I’m exploring the wide range of ways that foundations are stepping up to support climate progress, especially amid federal rollbacks and inconsistent commitments from large companies. Philanthropic capital is tiny in comparison to government and corporate budgets, but it can still be a helpful tool – especially if wielded strategically.

Let's set some context: In the United States, there are over 30,000 environmental nonprofits. It's a wildly diverse field with organizations of all sizes and countless focus areas. Since the 1970s, they’ve saved millions of lives through environmental protections that have cleaned our air, water, land, buildings, factories, and products.

Many are struggling with funding cuts and staff shortages, and too often they compete for attention and resources.

Foundations provide funding to these organizations, but they can also play a more fundamental role: building movement infrastructure that bolsters the power and influence of the entire field.

That, argues Pisces Foundation President David Beckman, is a priority that deserves more attention and support. David is a friend whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years. When it comes to investing in movement infrastructure, I can’t think of anyone else who brings the nuance and insight David has gained through a career-long focus on advancing the environmental movement. We talk about his background as an National Resources Defense Council attorney, his role in helping start the Pisces Foundation, the entreprenuerial nature of his work, what movement infrastructure is, what he’s learned about investing in it, the importance of late night cookies in building relationships, the need for a meta narrative, the work of the Pisces Foundation, super pollutants, what business people and young people should know about the environmental movement, and much more.

On today’s episode, we cover:

  • [03:49] David's Background and Career Path
  • [05:37] Founding of Pisces Foundation
  • [07:56] State of the Environmental Movement
  • [09:41] Strategic Posture and Movement Influence
  • [11:44] Collective Work and Movement Infrastructure
  • [15:08] Social Entrepreneurship in Philanthropy
  • [17:29] Collaborative Field Building Insights
  • [19:49] Late Night Cookies and Building Relationships
  • [22:31] Meta Narrative in Environmental Movement
  • [25:32] Discussion on Environmental Regulations
  • [28:25] Pisces Foundation's Strategic Evolution
  • [31:33] Super Pollutants Overview
  • [33:40] Impact of DC Politics on Philanthropy
  • [35:48] Advice for Business Community
  • [37:13] Advice for Young People
  • [39:04] Current Inspirations

Resources Mentioned


Connect on LinkedIn


Keep up with Invested In Climate


Have feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?

Get in touch!

  continue reading

118 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 490543865 series 3342257
Content provided by Jason Rissman. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Jason Rissman or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

In this Deep Dive series on Climate Philanthropy, I’m exploring the wide range of ways that foundations are stepping up to support climate progress, especially amid federal rollbacks and inconsistent commitments from large companies. Philanthropic capital is tiny in comparison to government and corporate budgets, but it can still be a helpful tool – especially if wielded strategically.

Let's set some context: In the United States, there are over 30,000 environmental nonprofits. It's a wildly diverse field with organizations of all sizes and countless focus areas. Since the 1970s, they’ve saved millions of lives through environmental protections that have cleaned our air, water, land, buildings, factories, and products.

Many are struggling with funding cuts and staff shortages, and too often they compete for attention and resources.

Foundations provide funding to these organizations, but they can also play a more fundamental role: building movement infrastructure that bolsters the power and influence of the entire field.

That, argues Pisces Foundation President David Beckman, is a priority that deserves more attention and support. David is a friend whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years. When it comes to investing in movement infrastructure, I can’t think of anyone else who brings the nuance and insight David has gained through a career-long focus on advancing the environmental movement. We talk about his background as an National Resources Defense Council attorney, his role in helping start the Pisces Foundation, the entreprenuerial nature of his work, what movement infrastructure is, what he’s learned about investing in it, the importance of late night cookies in building relationships, the need for a meta narrative, the work of the Pisces Foundation, super pollutants, what business people and young people should know about the environmental movement, and much more.

On today’s episode, we cover:

  • [03:49] David's Background and Career Path
  • [05:37] Founding of Pisces Foundation
  • [07:56] State of the Environmental Movement
  • [09:41] Strategic Posture and Movement Influence
  • [11:44] Collective Work and Movement Infrastructure
  • [15:08] Social Entrepreneurship in Philanthropy
  • [17:29] Collaborative Field Building Insights
  • [19:49] Late Night Cookies and Building Relationships
  • [22:31] Meta Narrative in Environmental Movement
  • [25:32] Discussion on Environmental Regulations
  • [28:25] Pisces Foundation's Strategic Evolution
  • [31:33] Super Pollutants Overview
  • [33:40] Impact of DC Politics on Philanthropy
  • [35:48] Advice for Business Community
  • [37:13] Advice for Young People
  • [39:04] Current Inspirations

Resources Mentioned


Connect on LinkedIn


Keep up with Invested In Climate


Have feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?

Get in touch!

  continue reading

118 episodes

All episodes

×
 
Loading …

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

 

Quick Reference Guide

Copyright 2025 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | | Copyright
Listen to this show while you explore
Play