Behavioral Philanthropy Certificate
The Certificate in Behavioral Philanthropy offers philanthropic advisors a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of how behavioral science and philanthropic advising intersect. This program integrates multidisciplinary research insights, real world examples, and practical case studies, equipping participants with the insights and tools needed to help their clients achieve their philanthropic goals.
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Through a comprehensive curriculum, participants will explore the psychological factors influencing donor behavior, donor barriers, decision-making processes, and the impact of social and family dynamics on philanthropic giving. The case studies provide a hands-on opportunity to bring to life successful strategies and innovative approaches to fostering donor engagement and maximizing philanthropic impact.
​By the end of the program, advisors will not only gain a solid grounding in behavioral principles but also develop actionable strategies that can be implemented to enhance client relationships and drive meaningful change in the philanthropic landscape.​Join us to transform the way you approach philanthropy, leveraging behavioral insights to empower your clients and create lasting impact in the communities they care about.
Behavioral science gives advisors a powerful edge in understanding their clients' motivations and barriers. This course will help you build stronger client relationships, craft personalized giving strategies, and position yourself as a trusted expert who delivers deeper impact and more fulfilling philanthropic outcomes.
—Julia Ritz Toffoli
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
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Identify and analyze the psychological factors that influence donor behavior and the barriers they may face in their philanthropic journeys.
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Recognize the role of social and family dynamics in shaping philanthropic decisions, enabling you to understand diverse client motivations and engagement strategies.
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Practice applying behavioral insights through real-world case studies, allowing you to develop and implement effective strategies that foster donor engagement and maximize philanthropic impact.
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Plan actionable strategies tailored to individual clients’ needs, enhancing your ability to build strong relationships and drive meaningful change within the philanthropic landscape.
FACULTY
Julia Ritz Toffoli
Julia Ritz Toffoli is an Associate Managing Director at ideas42 on the Giving Team, where she leads R&D and innovation in the philanthropic space, working with partners to design, test, and implement behaviorally informed interventions to make giving more intentional, strategic, and impactful—both for individual givers and the broader philanthropic community.
Prior to joining ideas42, Julia spent nine years at the Open Society Foundations, where she helped to launch and build the Strategy Unit, delivering strategic planning guidance to grant making programs. While at OSF, Julia spearheaded the development of a training curriculum that integrated behavioral insights into strategic decision-making practice.
Julia holds a Master of International Affairs in Human Rights Advocacy from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and a BA in Political Science and Sociology from McGill University.
Jen Shafer
Jen Shafer is a Senior Behavioral Designer on the Giving Team at ideas42 where she uses insights from behavioral science to promote equity in philanthropy by effectively diagnosing challenges, conducting research, and implementing innovative designs. Prior to ideas42, Jen worked as a management consultant, data analyst, and design researcher across a variety of industries, always with a focus on user needs and employee experiences.
Jen has a B.A. in Psychology from Rice University and an M.S. from MIT in Integrated Design & Management, a multi-disciplinary degree where students from design, business, and engineering backgrounds come together to tackle complex problems using human-centered design. For her thesis, she studied intergenerational conversation and legacy storytelling as a vehicle for meaning-making and connection for older adults.
Sarah Welch
Sarah Welch is a Managing Director at ideas42, a social enterprise that uses insights from behavioral science to invent fresh solutions to tough social problems. Over the past decade Sarah has worked to advance behavioral innovations across various challenges, from climate and consumer finance to criminal justice and health. She now leads the organization’s work in charitable giving, partnering with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Fidelity Charitable Catalyst Fund, National Center for Family Philanthropy, major institutions offering donor-advised funds, and dozens of other organizations in the sector.
Prior to joining ideas42, Sarah completed a three-year dual degree program at Yale’s School of Management and School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, where she focused on urban resource management and planning. Sarah holds an MBA and an MEM from Yale and received her BA in Environmental Science & Public Policy from Harvard.
Dien Yuen
Dien Yuen is the CEO of Daylight, an innovative professional development platform that creates transformative learning experiences for advisors pursuing growth, service, and social impact. She also serves as lead faculty for philanthropy at Singapore’s Wealth Management Institute (WMI), where she was instrumental in launching Asia’s first professional philanthropic certification. She was inducted into the 2023 National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) Hall of Fame and recognized for her academic leadership with the Distinguished Faculty Award from WMI. Previously, Dien founded the Center for Philanthropy and Social Impact at The American College of Financial Services, where she also developed and taught courses as the Blunt-Nickel Professor in Philanthropy. Dien’s early career included senior roles in wealth management and global development organizations.