Insider Insights: How Social Impact Funders Think

This session will help social impact founders understand what the funding process looks like from inside a foundation or donor office.

By Harvard Innovation Labs

Date and time

Thursday, April 18 · 1 - 2:30pm PDT

Location

Online

About this event

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Erin Ricci serves as the Senior Director of Philanthropic Partnerships & Strategy at Health Care Without Harm, spearheading the primary revenue-generating division by securing flexible, long-term support from diverse funders. Health Care Without Harm works to transform health care worldwide so that it reduces its environmental footprint, becomes a community anchor for sustainability, and a leader in the global movement for environmental health and justice. As an integral member of the Executive Leadership Team, Erin contributes to shaping the overall direction and success of the organization.With a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology and over two decades of international experience spanning philanthropy, social impact, and governmental sectors, Erin brings a distinctive combination of applied, critical, and analytical thinking, enriched by cross-cultural perspectives, to all facets of her work.

In her previous role, she led global grantmaking initiatives at Bohemian Foundation for over six years. For part of that time, she served on the Executive Committee of Big Bang Philanthropy, a key player in directing funds towards organizations with scalable poverty solutions. Prior to her philanthropic endeavors, she dedicated five years as a USAID Foreign Service Officer, earning Meritorious Honor Awards for her contributions in Central America (Honduras) and Central Asia (Tajikistan). Earlier in her career, she served as a Program Officer at Heifer International, advocating for community-based, just food systems in the United States.Currently, Erin is honored to hold the position of Vice Chair on the board of directors at Lwala Community Alliance, actively contributing to their mission of driving community-led health system transformation in Kenya. As a proud Americorps*VISTA alum, mother of two teenage sons, and a reasonably tolerable wife, she finds joy in hiking, amateur Aikido training, and competing as a member of Pennsyltucky - a locally-recognized team with legendary status in our own minds. While she aspires to reside in Spain, for now, she calls Fort Collins, Colorado, home.

ABOUT THE MODERATOR

Julia Berman is an international development consultant with expertise in fundraising, communications, strategy, and leadership coaching, and a track record of scaling mission-driven organizations. She was most recently chief partnerships officer at Muso, where she led resource mobilization and communications to raise over $80 million, with a compound annual growth rate of 35%. Along with extensive experience in the global health sphere, she has worked to support investigative journalism and political campaigns. Julia holds a master’s degree in international affairs from Boston University, where she focused on human rights and democratization in Francophone Africa.

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

The Harvard Innovation Labs welcomes attendees of all abilities to our events, both in person and online.

Requests for American Sign Language interpreters and/or CART providers should be made at least two weeks in advance, if possible. Please note that the University will make every effort to secure services, but that services are subject to availability.

If you would like to request accommodations, please contact i-lab@harvard.edu in advance of the event.

FUTURE COMMUNICATIONS

Please note: By registering, you agree to receive emails about this event and future communications from the Harvard Innovation Labs.

Organized by

Harvard Innovation Labs

The Harvard Innovation Labs consist of a vibrant, cross-disciplinary ecosystem for the Harvard community to explore innovation and entrepreneurship while building deeper connections. It is an excellent example of the One Harvard vision and a leading catalyst for the Allston Science and Enterprise District. The Harvard Innovation Labs foster unprecedented collaboration among Harvard students, faculty, entrepreneurs, and members of the Allston and Greater Boston communities. The Harvard i-lab is the central component of the Harvard Innovation Labs. It is an educational collaborative for all current Harvard students from any Harvard school to explore innovation and entrepreneurship at any stage. It provides open co-working space, a vibrant community of peer and mentor support, experiential programming, and a Venture Program during the fall, spring, and summer semester, helping student teams take their ideas further, faster.

Launch Lab X GEO is a critical extension of the growing Harvard Innovation Labs. It provides eligible Harvard alumni leading high-potential early-stage startups with a curated community including collaborative co-working space, business-building programming, and access to advisors and mentors. It fosters continued connection between alumni, current students, and the Harvard community as a whole.

The Pagliuca Harvard Life Lab is a curated community, providing eligible Harvard alumni, faculty, and students leading high-potential early-stage life sciences startups with a fully equipped wet lab, collaborative co-working space, business-building programming, and access to the entire Harvard Innovation Labs ecosystem.

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