Panel Session: Meet the Grantmakers
What's on the minds of foundation leaders as they navigate a rapidly shifting philanthropic landscape? Join us for a candid conversation with three grantmakers who bring very different vantage points to this moment in the field.
Moderated by Stacy Palmer, CEO of the Chronicle of Philanthropy, this panel convenes Ruth Jurgensen, Executive Director of the NBA Foundation; Philip Li, President & CEO of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation; and Eric Eckholdt, President of the SMBC Global Foundation. Together, they'll share how their organizations are making strategic decisions, sustaining relationships with grantees, and staying true to their missions at a moment of real complexity.
Whether you're a seasoned development professional or earlier in your career, you'll leave with a clearer sense of how funders are thinking — and what that means for the organizations that depend on their support.
*Full participation in this program is applicable for 1.25 points in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.*
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Understanding how foundation leaders are adapting grantmaking strategy in a shifting philanthropic landscape
- Strengthening funder-grantee relationships through insight into foundation decision-making and priorities
- Identifying opportunities for cross-sector partnership and community-centered approaches to sustained impact
AGENDA:
- 9:00 AM – Registration, Coffee + Networking
- 9:30 AM – Panel Discussion & Q&A
- 10:45 AM – Closing Remarks & Networking
- 11:00 AM - Session End
SPEAKERS:
Eric Eckholdt
President
SMBC Global Foundation
Eric Eckholdt joined SMBC in September 2022 and oversees Corporate Citizenship for the Americas Division, serving as President of the SMBC Global Foundation. Since joining, Foundation giving has grown sixfold, and employee participation in charitable activities has increased from 8% in 2022 to over 60% in 2025. In 2024, he launched SMBC Building Resilient Futures, a strategic grantmaking program supporting youth from under-resourced communities through outdoor and camp experiences, reaching over 5,000 youth to date. Previously, Eric spent 18 years at Credit Suisse leading corporate citizenship and foundation efforts, directing more than $110 million in charitable support and guiding millions more in employee and disaster relief giving.
Ruth Jurgensen
Executive Director
NBA Foundation
Ruth Jurgensen is a passionate educator and strategic non-profit leader who, throughout her career, has steadily expanded her ability to empower young people, through education, employment, and career advancement. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the National Basketball Association Foundation. She is responsible for the strategic development, creation, and implementation of programs and partnerships that advance the NBA Foundation’s efforts to increase access and support for high school, college-aged, job-ready, and mid-career under resourced youth ages 14-24. She oversees the administration of $30 million in annual grants to hundreds of national and local organizations that provide skills training, mentorship, coaching, and pipeline development impacting over 800,000 youth. Prior to this role, she was the Chief Executive Officer at Prep for Prep in New York City, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization focused on leadership development and expanding educational access for students of color. Ruth has more than a decade of experience serving in senior leadership positions at independent schools including Francis W. Parker School in Chicago and Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School (LREI) in New York City.
Philip Li
President & CEO
Robert Sterling Clark Foundation
Philip Li is the President & CEO of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, which invests in leadership to create a more equitable, livable and vibrant New York. His philanthropic journey began as the COO at The Century Foundation and Brooklyn Org. Earlier, he worked at Changing Our World, a fundraising consultancy, and as the Executive Director of the Coro New York Leadership Center. He began his career working in finance at Merrill Lynch and Moody’s Investors Service. Phil is a past board chair of Philanthropy New York, the regional association of grantmakers in New York City. He calls Brooklyn home.
Stacy Palmer (Moderator)
CEO
Chronicle of Philanthropy
Stacy Palmer is the chief executive of the Chronicle of Philanthropy, where she led its transition to an independent nonprofit in April 2023. A co-founder of the publication in 1988, Palmer has guided its evolution from a biweekly newspaper into a multifaceted media organization offering a magazine, news, advice, opinion pieces, webinars, and briefings for the social sector. She has served as the Chronicle’s top editor since 1996 and has played a pivotal role in shaping public understanding of philanthropy. Palmer helped launch a partnership with the Associated Press and the Conversation to improve nonprofit coverage and created a fellowship to train local journalists. A frequent media commentator, she also edited Challenges for Philanthropy and Nonprofits, a collection of Pablo Eisenberg’s writings. Before founding the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Palmer was the editor for government and politics at The Chronicle of Higher Education and a longtime member of its leadership team.
The New York City Chapter of AFP holds multiple events for both members and nonmembers throughout the year. Members and guests pay discounted pricing; some events are free for AFP-NYC Chapter members. We are presenting a variety of online events this year, including webinars, discussions, coaching sessions, Town Halls. Need CE credits? We're happy to provide attendance verification, just ask!