The Latest from Third Plateau: Spring 2024

Client wins, democracy insights, firm news, & more

Spring is finally upon us! As we journey past the beginning of 2024, our team is energized by the integration of our colleagues from Hirsch Philanthropy Partners. Together, we've been cultivating new collaborations and celebrating our shared values to address the many urgent challenges facing our communities. Below is a quick glimpse at highlights from our recent work.

• Our clients continue to shine bright and we're thrilled to celebrate major victories with them, including: two Anthem Awards for The Climate Burnout Report, a groundbreaking research partnership with Climate Critical and Tamara Toles O'Laughlin ; a PBS News Hour feature on For All Mothers+ and Alysia Monta?o OLY 's mission to break down systemic barriers for mothers in sports; a Morgan Stanley Innovation Award Give Us The Floor 's work to advance mental health solutions for LGBTQIA+ youth; and a Skoll Award for Social Innovation honoring IllumiNative Org , Crystal Echo Hawk and Michael Johnson 's impactful work to ensure Native voices are heard and represented.
• In a recent article from Inside Philanthropy, our Principal, Mike Berkowitz , and collaborator Peter Teague reflect on the authoritarian threat to U.S. philanthropy, noting that, “Philanthropy and civil society are at risk, yet are at the same time among the few forces positioned to keep our public space open and the American experiment in liberal democracy working.”
• In the Chronicle of Philanthropy, our longtime partner Rachel Pritzker , Chair of the Democracy Funders Network, underscores the importance of crafting a democracy agenda that fosters a broad coalition, where individuals from diverse beliefs and backgrounds feel included and find shared purpose in upholding liberal democracy.
• Our Principal, Susan Hirsch , was named one of the San Francisco Business Times Times Power 100 for her leadership in building one of the nation's first philanthropic advisory firms.
• Our longtime client, O2 Sabbatical Award , recently announced this year’s nine Awardees. The O2 Sabbatical Award honors dedicated Bay Area nonprofit executive directors with an essential break for rest and renewal.
• Education took center stage at the California Charter Schools Association conference last month, where our team led several sessions highlighting the transformative power of strategic planning in school leadership.
• Directors Anna Luna and Laurel Severt from our Hellman Foundation team will co-present a free webinar on Wednesday, May 1, “Listening Out: Capacity Building as a Key Strategy for Grantmakers.” They will share valuable insights about how funders can advance equity through capacity building support.
• Our team is growing! We’re hiring for several positions on our finance and grants teams. Click here to view the latest job opportunities.

We're here to support you in your mission of positive social change. Please reach out anytime.