Dispatches from Good Name Advisors

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Last fall, I wrote about going back to school, taking a Judaism 101 class with friends, taught by the award-winning Rabbi Michele Faudem. In truth, I had started a more formal continuing education journey earlier in 2025, when I went through the 2164 Approach Training for Philanthropic Advising. 

That training, and my subsequent 2164 training on Facilitation, whet my appetite for an even more intense learning around the established but as-yet unregulated field of philanthropic advising. Tina Sula was the first to introduce me to Daylight and their Impact Philanthropic Advisor certification, and after a quick intro to the program, I signed up.

The curriculum was serious and expansive. Unlike my weekly class with Rabbi Faudem, where we show up, learn, and discuss together without any homework, or my 2164 trainings, which are much more compacted over a 3-4 day learning journey, the Daylight program includes twelve modules, each taking a few hours to really study and digest. The self-paced program includes a bi-weekly one-hour session with a cohort, where the assigned module is discussed, but more importantly, a case study based on the curriculum is played out. The program continues for almost six months. 

I learned so very much from my time with Daylight, from a basic understanding of charitable tax planning, and impact investment tools (both topics I knew little about formally), to approaching conversations with different generations, to learning about foundations and giving circles (where I felt like I could really contribute and shine!).  There were a handful of other learners who were consistently present with our group discussions, and we built a good rapport and enjoyed learning and discussing together. We are all from very different backgrounds, places in the country, and roles. Some work at banks; others at community foundations. A few are in fundraising roles, and others, like me, are independent philanthropic advisors. All of us benefited from the curriculum. 

There is something energizing about learning, as we know. While I learned so much from my Impact Philanthropy Advisor certification (IPA – not the beer!) I also remembered that I am best at the personal side of philanthropy – having the conversations around motivation, legacy, interest, and understanding organizations and their fit, need, and leadership in response to that individual donor’s desires. I’m good at seeing patterns, and often think of myself as a mirror for my clients – one that reflects back a more whole picture, rather than the fractional parts they may not realize are connected. 

I often think of philanthropic giving as a kaleidoscope of the donor. If you shift the lens one way, you see a commitment to, perhaps, access to higher education. Another slight turn, and you see an interest in arts and culture. A quick move the other way sees a commitment to their religious or ethnic community. It often takes an outsider (like me) to make sense of those different interests, and call them out.   

Each of my continuing education experiences makes me a stronger professional, and I like to believe, a more interesting person. What should I tackle next? What certification or education matters to you when hiring a philanthropic advisor?

And importantly, what are you learning? What classes are you taking? What is one thing you’re curious about but don’t know enough? 

Let’s keep the conversation – and the learning–  going. 

Best, and Shabbat Shalom,

Kari

IPA January 2026 Graduate Certificate_Kari Alterman