Episode 69: Ashley Dietz

Join Lori and her guest, Ashley Dietz, as they talk about trust-based philanthropy and more. Ashley is the president and CEO of Florida Philanthropic Network. She discusses her philanthropic work, the concept of trust-based philanthropy, and what she hopes to be her professional and personal legacy. Stay tuned!

Here are the things to expect in this episode:

• Philanthropic culture differences between the US and Australia

• How FPN support their nonprofit organizations

• What is trust-based philanthropy?

• Best practices a funder can implement

• And much more!

About Ashley Dietz:

Ashley has served as president and CEO of FPN since September 2020 and overall has 14 years of experience in Philanthropy. She previously served as Senior Director, Community Partnerships and Operations for United Way Suncoast, where she led the integration of the community investment process, partnership strategies, and regional contract management process across the organization’s five-county footprint, ensuring sound stewardship of financial and non-financial resources. She is also a recent graduate of Leadership Tampa, part of the LT Class 2022.

Ashley currently serves on the Board of Directors for the state-wide non-profit Florida Civic Advance and on the Public Policy Committee with the Tampa Bay Chamber. Ashley has also served as the chair of the Florida Chapter for PEAK Grantmaking, a member-led community of grants management professionals who foster collaboration to enable philanthropy to achieve its full potential for good. She previously worked at the City of Sydney Council in Sydney, Australia, for five years, managing complex funding streams and processes at the local government level. Ashley has a Master’s in Policy Studies with a focus in International Relations from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. She has a B.A. in Media Communications with a Minor in Political Science from Webster University in St. Louis.

Connect with Ashley!

Trust-Based Philanthropy Project: https://www.trustbasedphilanthropy.org/

Florida Philanthropic Network: https://www.fpnetwork.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyheathdietz/

Connect with Lori Kranczer!

Website: https://www.linkphilanthropic.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorikranczer/

Episode Transcript

You're listening to the positive impact philanthropy podcast where we share the journeys of everyday philanthropists as they incorporate philanthropy into their lives. Lengthy is a personal journey through the stories we will share here. We hope it sparks something in you, and how you can make your own philanthropic impact in the world. I'm your host, Lori Kranczer attorney, philanthropic advisor and legacy giving strategist together and we're going to explore what it looks like to be an everyday philanthropist and make a positive impact in the world. But before we get started, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a new episode posted Wednesdays today. I'm really excited that we have Ashley Dietz. She's the president and CEO of Florida philanthropic Network. Welcome Ashley.

 Thank you so much for having me. Lori. 

It's great to have you. So we have met before and we've chatted a bit and so I know what you do, but why don't you explain to our listeners what you do?

 Sure. So actually like you mentioned on philanthropic network here in Florida, we are a network of grantmakers across the state of Florida and our mission is to build philanthropy for a better Florida. Personally, I've been in this role now for two years. But prior to my role, leading this network association of funders, I wasn't funder for 13 years. So philanthropy has kind of been my career and I kind of fell into it actually, really, it's not really a degree from philanthropy. Too much. So this role for me it's kind of been a dream job because I get to hang out with with funders all the time.

 So let's go back and talk about when you started working in philanthropy, what was your role and how did you get involved?

 Sure. So I got my Master's in Public Policy in Sydney, Australia, and I was working my capstone program project at the City of Sydney government. And I think I thought that I was going to be a senator or work in the cabinet or being an attorney. I really didn't think about philanthropy as my path. And then I got a part time gig working. I think it was two days. A week in the grants department doing admin to make some extra money while I finished grad school and I just I just fell in love with it. I loved the concept of being able to utilize my brain and do contract management but then every night I would feel good about the work that I was doing because I was making our communities Sydney a better place. So then I was there for about five, six years when we moved here to Florida, and I was a funder here for United Way Suncoast here in Tampa Bay. So it really just kind of fell into my lap. But what a rewarding opportunity to get to give back to my community as my career

 so when you're thinking about your philanthropy, and when you started to get involved, what was what was your first choice for, for getting involved in philanthropy because a lot of people don't necessarily go for the grant making. So it's I'm interested in knowing I know you have the experience. You're working two days a week there, but where did you get that inspiration for the direction you wanted to go in?

 Sure. So my mother and our family was always very philanthropic. We always wanted to give back to our community and particularly my mom, you know, post retirement has gotten really involved in that space was interesting, though, in Australia, Australia, culturally is not nearly as philanthropic as a place like the United States in terms of volunteer opportunities, or just getting opportunities because they're more of a socialized country. Their government handles a lot of those related interests. Around, you know, public good public safety and social services. So I was trying to find an outlet there for volunteering or how to get back and it just wasn't as available. So I think when this actual job opportunity came up, it was in some ways my personal outlet too, because in America, I was always afforded and have those opportunities all the time growing up. So I think that's been ingrained in who we are, and and my family just based on, you know, what our values were growing up to make sure we always, you know, gave back whether that was monetarily or any kind drive through volunteering. And so it was kind of I was lucky that it was able to kind of achieve both personally and professionally. When I was in Sydney.

 So this is I want to go back into your to your personal background. So when did you move to Australia because you had the experience of giving back from you said your upbringing, first in the United States, and then this is really interesting how there's a difference in culture of philanthropy. Can you talk a little bit about that?

 Yeah, sure. So I moved there in 2009. And I was there for seven years before we moved to Florida. I'm originally from St. Louis, Missouri. So I'm not a Florida and I am now I've been here seven years. But I'm a Floridian by birth. And so, you know, moving there I was, I think a little bit shocked or they're very giving people it's not that they're not philanthropic minded now minded. The whole country of Australia has 24 million people. So it is it's smaller in that respect, and most of them live 90% live on the coast or live in Melbourne or live in Sydney or big cities, Adelaide, Brisbane, etc. So, you know, I think we had about six, 7 million people in Sydney at the time. It's just different in terms of scale compared to the US in terms of opportunity. And I do think that government does, you know, take a large part in filling the gap. So we're philanthropy in the US is really encouraged to fill those gaps here. So, very, very different culturally, but I do think that, you know, there's still a philanthropic spirit, it's just using a different way, in Australia.

 Yeah, so interesting. And so as you're talking, I'm just thinking what you're doing right now is filling in gaps in Florida. And so this is a pattern I'm seeing that we're talking about. So can you talk more about what you're doing now the work that you're doing and the organizations you work with?

 Sure. So we have about 109 foundations that are members of FPN. So they are all making investments a to nonprofit organizations in the state of Florida. 80% of our actual members are funding locally or regionally. We have some statewide entities now we have national funders who are also investing in Florida. Some of those entities are also you know, family foundations. So there are individuals that have created you know, high net worth or wealth and they want to get back into their community that way. We also have 27 community foundations that are a part of FPN and a lot of them obviously have donor advised funds and have donors that are really, really dedicated to support on their local community. We really want to convene and partner and advocate on behalf of his philanthropic sector of here in our state. And I think it's been really, really gratifying to see particularly during COVID foundations and individuals that are part of these community foundations and donors coming together and putting aside some of the previous barriers and hurdles because, you know, COVID, in some ways was the silver lining around that time that you know, we stopped making grantees do a lot of reporting we were able to move money out a lot more quickly into community, you saw donors making big decisions, big gifts, in larger quantities during that time to support people going through a really tough time of during that time. So I'm I'm looking forward to and hopefully some of those trends during COVID continue to take the burden off of grantees and really encourage easier ways to give and to give collaborate within the donor communities and also with foundations.

 Yeah, can you talk a bit more about the trends that you're seeing because this is really interesting. Many people know about what has happened during COVID. But now I think there's a lot of uncertainty about what's going to stick moving forward, as we're getting back into what is the new normal.

 If anyone has a chance to go check out the trust faithful and improve your project. I highly encourage everyone to do so. This idea about building trust within community and within nonprofits. We're seeing that really accelerate here in Florida, that goes with giving unrestricted operational dollars to nonprofits. You know, we hear this a lot, even from individual donors that you want to see your impact. You want to see where your dollars go, but sometimes for the smaller grassroots organizations or for nonprofits, it's a really heavy lift to do all that kind of reporting. And particularly if they're only receiving, you know, $10,000 or $20,000, then have to do a three page impact report on how that money was spent can be quite a challenge. If you have a small nonprofit, who their CEO is wearing multiple hats, right to keep that going. And you really want those nonprofits to focus on serving the community. That's what they're there to do. So this idea behind trust based philanthropy, having full trust in your organizations having multi year grants, unrestricted dollars so they can support their organization and capacity, having limited or really straightforward reporting. Some of our funders actually are doing verbal reporting instead of actually written reports, and we're doing video recording to kind of build connection in a different way. So we're seeing that we've seen that during COVID, for sure, and we're seeing that continue, which is really exciting, because it's only going to build capacity for those nonprofits and hopefully, they're spending less time doing reporting and more time serving those in community.

 Yes, you're here. That is definitely a trend that I think we could all get behind. So thinking about what you're doing and the organizations that you work with and your network, what are some of the best practices that you've seen as as a funder can implement then also on the opposite side, what can nonprofits do to maybe improve their status to be invested in?

 Sure. So I think something that funders are really striving to do a better job and and also, I'm definitely seeing as a best practice in the field is to be more transparent. I think there there is this power dynamic. Let's just say what it is if there is a power dynamic between funders and nonprofits, and I think having these continuous feedback loops, being more approachable as a funder being really transparent about how much you're gonna fund your nonprofits are acknowledged, be really, really useful, but then getting feedback from your grantees, what's working, what's not working, and how can you adapt and think of it more as a strategic partnership together rather than that funder and kind of grantee relationship which can sometimes feel you know, not as equitable as if Showfield all of the time I think what nonprofits can really do a couple of things is just really really know your story. The stories are really is what going to compel donors and to compel foundations to get behind what you want to do in your missions, but then also being to in a really, really succinct and effective way. Talk about what you do. I have some time to talk to nonprofits who will go and do. I don't like this term, but the dog and pony show about what they do. And really, it's we want to know who you are, what your mission is, what you want to do, how much you would need and why. That's it. So being really succinct and efficient, and I'm talking about the work. I think it's important for nonprofits to really craft that skill if they can. But I do think the onus is also on foundations to be, you know, more transparent, more approachable and to have that feedback loop to really get to know to know their grantees.

 And are they open to relationships? I mean, I've seen a lot of funders that support the organizations that need funding year after year and haven't been as open in creating more relationships with other nonprofits that we really like to get in there. So what what do you suggest when you know that scenario comes up? I think

 every foundation is really different. So some foundations are striving to to be more open and equitable to think about smaller grassroots organizations who maybe are the closest to community that they want to support. But what that means that they have to live some of the restrictions some funders, I know, for example, you can't even apply for their funds unless you've been operating as a 501. C three for five years. Well, maybe there are certain crises that you have smaller nonprofits or grassroots organizations that you need to fund them now. This is happening now how to get the money out quickly. So I think it's a balancing act like figuring out like what that looks like, for every foundation and every Foundation's priorities. But again, similarly to the soul lying around COVID I think foundations are becoming more open to speaking to community listening to communities understand what their needs are, they can, you know, verify, understand which nonprofits need to be at the tables maybe currently aren't. But every foundation is different. So I'm glad to see this opening more in that direction. Their foundation is different in terms of, of how they kind of work alongside their franchise and community.

 Right. So um, so I know that obviously you're incredibly philanthropic and you're devoting your profession, professional life to working in this sector. Are there other things that you do outside of your professional life that you also are giving back in whatever way?

 So as I mentioned, kind of at the start of our conversation, you know, my mom is really my role model in this space. She is unbelievably philanthropic was in you know, with her time but also with her treasure and it's just something that I I'm really, really proud of, you know, my sister as well. It's super philanthropic. And I think for me, you know, we as a family want to show up and show our children. That's why this is important to get back into your community. We're really, really involved with my daughter's school, we volunteer a lot there in that space. And we try to lead by example. So we can continue that through to our kids into the next next generation, but something that I think some organizations that my mom has given to this been really, really powerful is that they've honored her for example, as a for a gift that she's made and that nonprofit will actually think and include our entire family in that process. So it feels very personal to me, even though my mom is the one that has made these kinds of initial gifts and support these organizations. They've included my sister and I feel like this is a family priority. So for me that you know, well after my mom has passed, thinking about her legacy, I consider what she's given to philanthropically now part of my legacy, knowing that I want to continue for her because we've kind of moved our family, our family in.

 Well, you're bringing up legacy and I want to talk about your legacy in just a moment. But as people know, that's the last question we're going to ask and I have a couple of questions I want to get through first so for those that are interested, they're listening and interested in doing something with their professional life, in philanthropy or in the nonprofit sector, some something, any resources, any tips you could provide? Like, how did they get started?

 So I think for me, given where I am in my age and stage two, I don't have as much time that I can devote as I want to and as and as much resources as I want to get right I'm still not even quite free. So I've got time there to do that. But I would say if you're thinking about getting bald philanthropically look at getting on a board or getting on a board of a nonprofit like you know, that's volunteering your time, that also is really, really, you know, mission driven. You can help be strategic. And that also, more often than not like through your business or through your company. They'll often support that because they want their companies to have a presence or to be, you know, engaged in community in that way. So look around and see what nonprofits that you're passionate about, do they need support on committees? Do they need support at the board level? I think that's a great first way to start and really follow your passion. What are you passionate about? What do you personally care about? Because then it won't feel like a volunteer opportunity. You're going to want to be at the table you're going to want to help and giving up your time to be part of it. But I think definitely don't be involved in any kind of boring committee because nonprofits need it. They need volunteer board members very, very badly. So that's a probably a great first step.

Yeah, that's great. And most people think that or a lot of people think that nonprofits only need the funds and while they do need the support in that respect, they need people to get behind what they're doing and to help on the board level or volunteering. I think as an employee of an organization that may have some sort of program that were connected with nonprofits and does some sort of volunteer day. There's a lot of things like that to take action to do something like that is a great step as well. So there's less commitment on your part. You don't have to marry it to it right. You can you can explore the options, and then decide later on what you want to really focus on.

 So I actually serve on two boards to be part of my, you know, volunteering back into community and when the board afford a civic advance and board before the chamber Foundation, and I think being on those boards, you know, peer to peer influence is so crucial. So if I'm showing up that way as part of my professional development and my way to get back to community, my friends and my colleagues and my peers have asked me about it, maybe they'll do the same to it's a ripple effect. You're showing up in that way. Others that are around you will probably want to do the same and you can be an influence on a and that way on how to you know, foster more folks who want to get involved in that space.

 I think that's fantastic. I think it's a great idea. So we are back to legacy. Our last question. So circle back to that now and you brought it up before and it's such an important thing for us to think about. So, Ashley, what do you consider your legacy to be?

 I would like my professional legacy to be that we were an open, inclusive and an impact, you know, driven organization. I hope that once I leave that, at the end, maybe I'll never leave this organization, but that we left the things that we've touched the initiatives that we cared about in a better place than when I first joined. I think personally, my personal legacy, everybody does better in community. We're all working in concert together in communities, you know, because we want our community to prosper and thrive. And I think it's really really important that we are a egalitarian the way that we do each other in our neighborhoods and our cities and our states. And I just really hope that my personal legacy in the V as a family and we personally do our philanthropic and volunteer efforts, you know, left where we live better place than we found it so our children can continue our legacy of making an impact on where we live.

Wonderful. Thank you for sharing that. So this has been wonderful chatting with you and learning about all the amazing work that is going on in Florida through the Florida philanthropic network. Where can people find out more information about you or the Florida philanthropic network?

 You can definitely check out our website is Fp network.org, where we list all of our initiatives that we're involved in as well as opportunities to get involved if you are a former founder and want to learn more, please contact me I'm pretty active on LinkedIn too. If you want to have a personal conversation and have a chat and find me on LinkedIn, it's under bashley. Deep, deep, happy to have a conversation and I tried to be pretty accessible so I'm not opposed to even a phone call. Please know reach out if you have any questions or you want to connect.

Thank you and thank you for everyone for joining us. We hope we provided some insights and inspiration that you can use for your own philanthropic journey. Certainly check out Ashley on LinkedIn and also the Florida philanthropic network especially if you are a funder in Florida. So thank you everyone for joining us. Thank you Ashley. This has been incredibly informative and it's one of the things that you're doing in Florida. Thank you so much. Thank you for joining us, I hope we provided some insights and inspiration that you can use for your own philanthropic journey. You can tune in every week on Wednesdays when new episodes are dropped. We'd love to hear your feedback. So leave a comment and a rating about what you like and what you'd like to hear more about. And if you liked the episode today, make sure to share it to raise awareness about the story to inspire other women to take action. I'm Lori Kranczer And until next time you can make a positive impact through philanthropy every day. Thanks for listening