Why Billionaires Won't Save Us — And What We Can Do About It | Hali Lee
When we think about philanthropy, most of us picture mega-donors, foundation galas, and the Giving Pledge. But Hali Lee has spent her career arguing that the future of giving was never in those rooms. It's been in the kitchen tables, the susu circles, the ge meetings — communities of regular people pooling their time, talent, and money to take care of each other and their neighborhoods.
In this episode, Hali shares the story of how her grandmother's generosity after surviving two wars shaped her understanding of giving, how she built one of the country's most enduring giving circles from a group of ten girlfriends, and why she believes collective giving is both a solution to the loneliness crisis and a form of civic engagement we desperately need right now.
Whether you're a first-time donor, a family office allocator, or just someone wondering what you can actually do — this episode is for you.
In this episode:
- Hali Lee shares her family's history of resilience and generosity rooted in Korean history and culture.
- The origin and evolution of the Asian Women’s Giving Circle over 20 years.
- How informal community support systems, like susus and tandas, mirror modern giving circles.
- Strategies for starting and sustaining a giving circle, including financial transparency and flexible participation.
- The importance of loose ties and neighborly acts in building community and combating loneliness.
- Critical insights into big philanthropy ('Big Phil') and its structural limitations.
- The findings from research on affluent donors of color and how their giving approaches differ.
- Resources and practical tools for creating and managing giving circles, including Philanthropy Together's Launchpad and Grapevine platform.
- The role of volunteer pro bono services and shared talents in supporting funded organizations.
- The historical role of neighbors in social justice and civic engagement, connecting past resilience with current community building.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Principles of Benevolence and the power of purpose-driven wealth
01:16 - Hali Lee’s background and journey in philanthropy
03:20 - Family history and lessons from Korean history and culture
06:49 - Mirroring traditional Asian giving practices in contemporary circles
09:56 - Personal stories of informal community sharing and mutual aid
10:03 - The origins of the Asian Women’s Giving Circle
12:30 - Reflection on strategic giving and personal philanthropy planning
14:31 - How to start a giving circle: tips and resources
16:19 - Sharing financial transparency practices in circles
19:59 - Flexibility and inclusivity in giving circle participation
22:22 - The essential pillars of launching a successful giving circle
25:43 - Platforms and tools: Grapevine and Philanthropy Together
26:53 - Volunteering and pro bono services as resources
27:31 - The decline of traditional collective participation and its impacts
29:28 - Building civic engagement and community through small acts of neighborliness
34:34 - Why loose ties matter and how they strengthen community bonds
41:27 - The connection between being a good neighbor and a good citizen
42:07 - The critique of 'Big Phil'—philanthropy driven by mega-billionaires
47:11 - Insights from the Donors of Color Network and its surprising findings
50:22 - Research on affluent donors of color and their giving behaviors
51:28 - Closing thoughts and resources for listeners interested in starting or growing giving circles
Resources & Links:
- The Big We by Hali Lee
- Philanthropy Together — Free Launchpad Course for Starting a Giving Circle
- Grapevine — Free Platform for Giving Circles
- Freedom School for Philanthropy
- Donors of Color Network Research Report
- Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam
- Just Giving by Rob Reich
- Winners Take All by Anand Giridharadas
Connect with Hali Lee:
Additional Notes:
This episode underscores the importance of community-based philanthropy, encouraging listeners to consider how small, intentional actions and collective efforts can lead to meaningful societal change, rooted in cultural legacy and neighborly care.
