Aug 31, 2026
Too many nonprofits still act as if funders hold all the power. In reality, many of today’s most generous foundations and donors are actively looking for bold, aspirational partners who can help them create meaningful change. In this episode, Melissa Cowley Wolf talks with Jaimie Mayer, founder of Middle Child Philanthropy and former chair of the Nathan Cummings Foundation, about what it looks like when nonprofits stop behaving like “grantees” and start showing up as strategic partners. You’ll learn why the old funder/fundee dynamic no longer works, what today’s funders are really looking for in nonprofit leaders, and how to tap a funder’s totality of assets — from grants and impact investments to communications and connections.
Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com.
Additional Resources
[NPFX] Greater Visibility Equals
More Funding
https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/greater-visibility-equals-more-funding
[NPFX] Next Gen Donors and the Arts
(with Jaimie Mayer)
https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/next-gen-donors-and-the-arts
[NPFX] Why Change Feels Impossible —
And Why Your Funding Depends on It
https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/why-change-feels-impossible-and-why-your-funding-depends-on-it-grounded-leadership
[NPFX] Why Consistency Is Your
Strategic Advantage
https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/grounded-leadership-why-consistency-is-your-strategic-advantage
Guest
Jaimie Mayer is the
Founder of Middle Child Philanthropy,
partnering with families and philanthropic leaders to transform how
values, power, and wealth move across generations. She recently
completed a seven-year tenure as Chair of the Nathan Cummings
Foundation. Under her leadership, the Board unanimously voted to
shift 100% of the foundation’s assets into mission-aligned
investments, partnering with a values-aligned OCIO and deepening
its commitment to racial, economic, and environmental justice.
Jaimie holds an Executive MBA from NYU Stern School of Business and
an MFA in Theatre Management and Producing from Columbia
University’s School of the Arts. She serves as Vice President of
The Mayer-Rothschild Foundation and sits on the boards of the
Nathan Cummings Foundation, the National Center for Family
Philanthropy, Caramoor, and The Vineyard Theatre, as well as Morgan
Stanley’s Diversity Portfolios Advisory Council. She is a frequent
speaker on multigenerational philanthropy, next generation
leadership, impact investing, and values alignment in giving.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimiemayer/
https://www.middlechildphilanthropy.com/
Host
Melissa Cowley Wolf is a
strategic advisor, executive coach, author, and speaker working at
the intersection of leadership, organizational impact, and
philanthropic strategy. She is the founder of MCW
Projects LLC, an advisory firm focused on next-era executive
development and mission-driven strategy for leaders seeking
meaningful impact. With more than 20 years of experience in
philanthropy, leadership coaching, and campaign strategy —
including work on campaigns up to $4 billion — Melissa has
partnered with leading cultural, corporate, and academic
institutions, philanthropists, and changemakers. Her coaching
approach integrates wellness and somatic practices to help
executives build clarity, groundedness, and strategic insight in a
volatile environment. Named a Global Innovator Transforming
the Art Industry, Melissa also directs the Arts Funders Forum, a
platform advancing private support and new financial models for the
cultural sector.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-cowley-wolf-6440a79/
https://www.mcw-projects.com/
Connect with NPFX
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Facebook
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