Democratize and Diversify Community Giving

Project Good Podcast

In this episode of the Project Good Podcast, host Annmarie Hylton interviews Hali Lee, a prominent figure in social impact and philanthropy. Hali shares her journey from her Korean-American upbringing to her influential roles, including the founder of Radiant Strategies and co-founder of the Donors of Color Network. The discussion delves into the systematic exclusion of minorities from traditional philanthropy, emphasizing the need for democratizing and diversifying the field. Hali introduces her concepts of collective giving and the importance of reconnecting with cultural roots of generosity. The episode also touches on practical ways individuals can engage in civic duties and philanthropy to address pressing social issues effectively.

00:00 Introduction to Project Good Podcast

00:34 The Exclusion of Minorities in Philanthropy

01:51 Interview with Hali Lee: Democratizing Philanthropy

02:58 Hali Lee's Background and Career

04:32 The Concept of Giving Circles

07:50 Hali Lee's Book and Its Timeliness

08:39 Philanthropy as Civic Engagement

09:25 The Impact of Loneliness and Community Giving

12:18 Democratizing and Diversifying Philanthropy

19:03 Wealthy People of Color and Philanthropy

23:15 The Power Dynamics in Philanthropy

29:34 The Need for Reeducation in Philanthropy

32:01 The Power of Collectives vs. Individualism

32:58 The Role of Technology in Modern Problems

36:23 The Importance of Civic Engagement

37:02 Philanthropy and Civic Education

37:47 Community Engagement and Local Issues

41:42 The Big We: A Collective Approach

44:14 Practical Steps for Civic Engagement

44:45 The Inspiration Behind 'The Big We'

54:32 Advice for Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy

01:00:45 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Hali Lee
Hali Lee was born in Seoul, South Korea and grew up in Kansas City. She graduated from Princeton University, studied Buddhism at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand, and received a Masters in Social Work from New York University. Hali has worked in many capacities and served on many boards, often combining a love of learning, the arts and equitable social change.
Ms. Lee has spent her career doing her best to democratize and diversify the field and practice of philanthropy. She is the founder of Radiant Strategies and a co-founder of the Donors of Color Network, the first ever national project that is researching, engaging and networking high net wealth donors of color across race, ethnicity and life experience. She was a member of the co-design team that birthed Philanthropy Together in 2020, built to scale and strengthen the burgeoning collective giving movement nationally, and is a member of its inaugural advisory board. Hali is the founder of the Asian Women Giving Circle, which raises resources for Asian American women using the arts to bring about social change in their NYC communities. In fifteen years, the Circle has made grants of over one million dollars in support of eighty amazing projects.
Hali’s first book, The Big We, hit the shelves earlier this year and it covers how giving circles can strengthen change.