What the Project Is
Open Impact has sunsetted operations after nearly a decade as a trusted guide to more than 70 private donors, foundations, and networks — helping envision, design, and accelerate their philanthropic impact. This closing reflection shares the origin story along with key learnings and a description of its unique approach. The project was all about crafting strategies that harness deep experience and an intentionally-designed culture centered on core values of impact and openness… its mission was clear from the start, and the journey has been a blend of heartfelt dedication, persistent hard work, and, yes, some innovative thinking along the way.
Main Benefit
Key figures and facts that defined the journey include:
- Nearly ten years of pioneering work
- Guidance provided to more than 70 private donors, foundations, and networks
- A holistic approach combining strategy, governance, and client deliverables
- $1.3B granted to date by The Sobrato Organization through Philanthropies
- Over 50 in-depth interviews with UHNW individuals to understand giving barriers and motivations
Building Team Culture and Client Engagement
One of the standout lessons was about building team culture — a harmonious blend of expertise, unyielding focus on impact, and a willingness to be open about the many approaches available for making an effective difference. The reflective piece from the CEO and Co-Founder emphasized that speaking hard truths, leaning into research, and prioritizing process alongside deliverables were all key to scaling the firm’s effectiveness with clients. This approach created a small-but-mighty team that embraced both hard work and the occasional pause to evaluate the changing philanthropic landscape… the honest narrative provided a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to succeed in a challenging field.
Forward-Looking Industry Influence
The organization’s industry reports and articles were forward-looking and transformative, challenging conventional thinking about philanthropy. The reports, which combined quantitative and qualitative research insights, were designed to reshape how donors, families, and community-based organizations thought about local and systemic impact. These documents presented groundbreaking insights on trends — from growing wealth in Silicon Valley and the distribution of philanthropic giving, to lessons learned from transformational social justice initiatives. The systematic mapping of giving trends and highlighting best practices became a resource for organizations on similar journeys.
Transformative Strategies for Social Impact
A natural evolution of the project’s work was seen through transformative strategies targeting local communities. This included hosting engaging workshops at the National Center for Family Philanthropy’s Leadership Retreat in Park City, where a framework for managing change within philanthropies was introduced. The workshop provided insights into how governance systems can be developed to align with philanthropic aspirations while limiting friction and building excitement. The approach brought together quantitative data, qualitative research, and real-life case studies drawn from a diverse range of experiences — all with the aim to help transform how social impact is managed in an ever-changing environment.
Charting a Legacy in Philanthropy
The closing chapter sees the team’s collective expertise transitioning into new adventures. With the CEO’s move to serve as the first Chief Impact Officer and President of Sobrato Philanthropies, the legacy of Open Impact will continue to ripple across the philanthropic landscape. This role, significant in its scope, emerged as an opportunity to work more closely with local communities and to solidify efforts toward sustainable change. The journey documented decades of learning, leadership development, and a commitment to reshaping the strategies within philanthropy. Every step of this process reflected lessons learned from real, lived experiences that will continue to influence the sector for years to come.
The Project Impact
- SDG 1 – No Poverty
- SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
Closing Reflections and Lasting Connections
Final dispatches from the CEO and Co-Founder offer a window into the inner workings and the heartfelt reflections of nearly ten years of dedicated work. The narrative shared key takeaways ranging from the importance of team culture to the necessity for a holistic approach in client work. Phrases like “speaking hard truths” and “leaning into research” encapsulate the nature of the discussions that defined each project milestone. The message is clear — the journey was about more than just numbers and trends; it was about building relationships, embracing the complexities of change, and constructing a legacy of openness and impact. In the ongoing dialogue between strategy and practice, the thoughtful insights, candid learnings, and the collaborative spirit continue to resonate… a reminder to those on their own philanthropic journeys that every step counts, and every lesson learned is a stepping stone toward more equitable change.
