In this episode, Jordana Barrack, Executive Director of the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation, offers a compelling perspective on how funders can rethink philanthropy by centering empathy, trust, and long-term relationships in their work. The foundation, established by Kim Jordan, co-founder of New Belgium Brewing Company, is a family-led philanthropy focused on climate change, food systems, land and water stewardship, and social justice. With an annual disbursement of approximately $3.5 million and a planned sunset in 2040, the foundation aims to deploy its resources intentionally and meaningfully during its limited lifespan.

A central focus of the conversation is the foundation’s recent initiative, the Mighty Partners Report, which reflects a deep learning journey undertaken to better understand the lived experiences and needs of its grantees. Rather than adopting standard philanthropic norms, the foundation opted for direct engagement and honest dialogue with its partners. Through surveys and interviews, they uncovered high rates of burnout and a strong desire among grantees to connect and collaborate with one another—insights that shaped the launch of two new grant programs.

The first, Nurturing Leadership Grants, offers flexible capacity-building support specifically focused on people, rather than projects, within grantee organizations. The second, Transformational Capacity Grants, is structured around referrals—grantees are invited to nominate other organizations that might benefit from similar support. This peer-referral model not only decentralizes the application process but also broadens the foundation’s network in a way that is organically diverse and mission-aligned.

Barrack emphasizes the value of proximity to grantees and fostering candid, human connections. Simply asking nonprofit leaders how they’re doing on a personal level, she notes, can often be unexpectedly powerful, especially in a sector where funders rarely engage with grantees as whole people. The foundation’s approach underscores the idea that genuine partnership requires both trust and a willingness to step away from traditional, transactional funding models.

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Christopher Coritsidis, Founder of the Opus 1 Foundation, presents a vision for how the arts can play a practical and effective role in driving social impact.

His work focuses on leveraging the power of creative expression to address real-world challenges such as economic inequality, social injustice, and environmental sustainability.

The Opus 1 Foundation brings together a wide-ranging network of artists, academics, advocates, policymakers, and organizations committed to using the arts as a tool for change.

The foundation’s approach is based on the belief that creative practices can go beyond personal expression — they can be used to foster social connection, promote well-being, and strengthen communities.

Coritsidis draws on a combination of professional experiences — from his background as a violinist to his MBA from MIT — to develop initiatives that combine artistic creativity with strategic impact.

A key focus of the Opus 1 Foundation’s work is exploring how the arts can help address disconnection and isolation, which are growing challenges in many societies today. Whether through music, visual arts, or performance, creative projects have been shown to foster a sense of belonging and improve mental and emotional well-being.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

In a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation, Pia Rebello Britto, Global Director of Education and Adolescent Development at UNICEF, unpacks the sobering reality of education in the face of accelerating climate change and systemic inequality.

Drawing on her extensive global experience and UNICEF’s latest report, "Learning Interrupted: Global snapshot of climate-related school disruptions in 2024", she provides a clear-eyed analysis of the intersecting crises that threaten the educational futures of hundreds of millions of children worldwide.

At the heart of the discussion is an alarming statistic: in 2024 alone, climate-related disruptions affected a staggering 250 million children. Across 85 countries, extreme weather—floods, heatwaves, storms, and air pollution—upended school calendars, damaged infrastructure, and derailed learning.

Yet climate is only one part of the broader learning crisis. Britto highlights three distinct yet interconnected challenges: children being denied access to school altogether; those enrolled but receiving substandard education; and those whose education is interrupted by crises.

Each of these systemic failures contributes to the shocking global reality that 7 in 10 ten-year-olds cannot read a simple sentence.

Despite the scale of the challenge, Britto remains deeply committed to transformative solutions. She calls for immediate investment in climate-smart learning environments—resilient, adaptive infrastructure designed to withstand future shocks.

Central to these reforms is the recognition that teachers are the keystone of educational quality. Britto makes a compelling case for a global reboot of teacher preparation and professional development, describing it as one of the most efficient and scalable pathways to improving learning outcomes. At the same time, she warns against the seductive appeal of “shiny” EdTech solutions that lack evidence of impact. Effective integration of technology must be grounded in pedagogy, not novelty.

She also highlights two often overlooked groups: girls and children with disabilities. Both face compounded barriers to education, and despite advances in assistive technology, inclusive learning remains vastly under-prioritized. It is here, Britto suggests, that funders and innovators could make some of the most catalytic interventions.

For philanthropists, policymakers, and advocates, Britto offers a clear call to action: do your homework, invest in what works, advocate vocally for education as a fundamental right, and act locally as well as globally. Her vision is pragmatic yet optimistic. Education, she reminds us, is not merely a public service—it is a social contract. It is the most powerful instrument we have to unlock potential, and shape a sustainable future.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.