Cara Binder-Kopchick has a passion for facilitating meaningful conversations, nurturing trusting relationships between donors and grantee partners, and building smart operations. She approaches her work with determination balanced by patience to ensure each decision is in the best interest of the donor she is partnering with and the community they are serving.
Client work includes managing grantmaking for a donor focused on economic mobility for Black mothers, facilitating a transition for a family foundation, authoring a guide for the National Center of Family Philanthropy, contributing to the review and selection of partners for Ms. Foundation, and supporting AARP Foundation and Google.org’s learning network.
Prior to starting her practice, Cara spent 15 years in philanthropy, working at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the City and County of San Francisco, Arabella Advisors, and Samvid Ventures.
Cara has an MPA from the University of San Francisco and a BA in journalism from Michigan State University.
Areas of Expertise:
-Trust-based philanthropy practices
-Equitable facilitation
-Building and improving operations and governance structures
-Adaptive strategic planning
-Thoughtful next-generation engagement
Foundation Experience:
-Dozens of individuals, couples, and families
-The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
-Samvid Ventures
-Ms. Foundation
-AARP Foundation
