Woman Philanthropists: Geula Ferguson Of Florida Philanthropic Network On How To Leave A Lasting Legacy With A Successful Nonprofit Organization
Flexibility
Mission focused
Build a diverse board
Acknowledge and train volunteers if you have them
Collaboration with partners
The contributions of women philanthropists have reshaped communities and catalyzed change, yet their stories often remain untold. Women bring unique perspectives and approaches to philanthropy, using their resources, networks, and influence to address a wide range of global challenges — from education and healthcare to social justice and environmental sustainability. How do these women navigate the complexities of philanthropy to achieve meaningful impact? In this interview series, we are talking to diverse women philanthropists who have initiated impactful projects or led significant charitable endeavors, to share their insights and inspire others to take initiative and help solve pressing global and local issues. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Geula Ferguson.
As Vice President of Programs & Strategic Initiatives, Geula provides vision and oversight for all FPN educational programs, networking opportunities and alongside CEO Ashley Dietz, FPN’s strategic partnerships and policy work. Geula has been with FPN since 2010, both as a long-time consultant and staff member. Before joining FPN, she served as Interim Executive Director of Donors Forum of South Florida, a regional association of grantmakers that merged with FPN in 2012. Formerly the marketing director for a technology company, Geula joined Donors Forum as a special events coordinator in 2006. After two years as the Special Projects Coordinator, Geula worked at the Sun Sentinel News in its education program as the development coordinator. During her time at the Sun Sentinel, Geula brought new partnerships together to help deliver educational programs to South Florida students. In early 2011, she returned to Donors Forum as a program manager and assumed the interim director position in September 2011. Geula is a graduate of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where she earned a degree in art history.
Thank you for making time to visit with us about a ‘top of mind’ topic. Our readers would like to get to know you a bit better. Can you please tell us about one or two life experiences that most shaped who you are today?
My parents, who were both very active volunteers for a number of organizations and political campaigns, exposed me from a young age to many aspects of volunteerism and the importance of being involved in the things that impact a local community. They wouldn’t hesitate to take my older brother and I along when they had activities or fundraisers to facilitate, from the most mundane to the most exciting.
They also introduced us to the joys of travel. Seeing how others live across the globe gave perspective on our own lives in Long Island, New York and an appreciation for the arts and outdoor experiences as well as the foods and cultures of places so different from where we grew up.
Being exposed to these experiences at a young age sparked my lasting love of travel and my enduring drive to volunteer — to do my part in starting efforts to improve the world, even if I can’t always see them through to the end.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? We would love to hear a few stories or examples.
What I have learned throughout my career is to own mistakes and take accountability when errors are made. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it can go a long way when building trust — not only with colleagues but those outside your organization. We all make mistakes along the way, and it’s better to face them head-on and work to find solutions rather than placing blame on others.
This work is difficult. There are things outside of our control and frustrations that inevitably arise. Approaching the work with a sense of joy and gratitude for the space I’m lucky enough to occupy has helped me navigate many challenges.
In March 2020, we were in the final grant round of funding to support the 2020 Census, which kicked off on April 1st. Needless to say, we had to adjust how our partners did the work, and how we showed up in support of their efforts completely changed. Some days, we had to laugh at how we had carefully planned every aspect of this monumental effort, only to have forces beyond anyone’s control change the execution entirely.
By remaining flexible and nimble, and trusting our instincts, we were able to achieve our end goal. Being a leader on this project taught me that things can still work out, even when the plan goes out the window.
Lastly, being a good, active listener is essential for anyone who aspires to be an effective leader. People build trust through sharing their stories — they want and need to be heard and validated. In my experience, this is the most important and impactful skill I have honed throughout not just my career, but in my personal life as well.
What’s the most interesting discovery you’ve made since you started leading your organization?
Leading FPN alongside President and CEO Ashley Dietz and Manager of Grants and Administrations Laura Harwin continues to be a source of great pride. Along the way, we’ve discovered that while our state may seem partisan at times, the philanthropic sector remains rooted in a desire to do good for all.
Can you please tell our readers more about how you or your organization intends to make a significant social impact?
At Florida Philanthropic Network (FPN), our commitment is to work to strengthen philanthropy through research, education and public policy. Our members vary widely in size, type, years of existence and program interests, but they all share a commitment to Building Philanthropy for a Better Florida. FPN connects Florida grantmakers to one another through educational programs, networking, regional convenings, online opportunities and much more. We provide news, information and resources to the philanthropy community in Florida, advocate on behalf of philanthropy locally and nationally and commission objective research on the nonprofit and philanthropy sector to disseminate to public, private and nonprofit sectors. We also conduct regular research on Florida philanthropy and grantmaking, as well as periodic research on the state’s nonprofit sector, to help inform the work of people working in the field or with the field.
One of the ways we have made a significant impact is our work around the 2020 Census as well as our continued work on civic engagement and the work we have already begun for the 2030 Census.
What makes you feel passionate about this cause more than any other?
I am passionate about the Census and civic engagement work we do as it has a direct impact on the local communities our members serve. All federal funding that comes into the state is determined by the Census count, so it is vital that the process be as accurate as possible. Working on something with such broad implications for the everyday lives of our neighbors, and ourselves, keeps me motivated to push forward when the work presents challenges.
Without naming names, could you share a story about an individual who benefitted from your initiatives?
Our Excellence in Math Education programs enabled an organization in Orlando to leverage the relationships developed through our training to secure $800,000 to their math program for local students — something that wouldn’t have been likely without the connections made through our event.
We all want to help and to live a life of purpose. What are three actions anyone could take to help address the root cause of the problem you’re trying to solve?
Do not reinvent the wheel. It’s not always necessary, or the most beneficial to the cause, to create a new organization. Look at the field and examine what already exists. Join forces or work with the existing infrastructure around the issue you’re aiming to improve. Resources can be scarce, both financially and in terms of volunteer support, so it’s best not to compete with what’s already in place.
Be open about learning from local communities and those directly impacted by the issue you are passionate about. The most effective way to build trust is to acknowledge that no matter the cause, there are likely people who know more or whose lived experience can and should shape the process of improving or resolving the issue.
Learn from mistakes! Much of the philanthropic experience is about highlighting success stories and the impact of our grantmaking, which is wonderful. But we miss out on enhanced opportunities when we don’t lean into learning from the aspects that perhaps didn’t go as planned. We shouldn’t be afraid to share those stories and teaching with others who may benefit from our experiences.
Based on your experience, what are the “5 Things You Need To Create A Successful & Effective Nonprofit That Leaves A Lasting Legacy?”
1 . Flexibility
2 . Mission focused
3 . Build a diverse board
4 . Acknowledge and train volunteers if you have them
5 . Collaboration with partners
How has the pandemic changed your definition of success?
Our definition never changed, even though our methods certainly were impacted during the pandemic itself. Five years out, we remain committed to our mission of Building Philanthropy for a Better Florida.
How do you get inspired after an inevitable setback?
Working with the excellent, small-but-mighty staff team at FPN, along with our cohort of consultants, keeps me inspired to continue when things become challenging. Having them to share ideas with, collaborate through processes and troubleshoot when needed is essential to my work success.
We are very blessed that very prominent leaders read this column. Is there a person in the world who you would like to talk to, to share the idea behind your non-profit? He, she, or they might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
We would be honored to have MacKenzie Scott support our work to improve the lives of Floridians, especially as we are now the third largest state!
You’re doing important work. How can our readers follow your progress online?
Website: https://www.fpnetwork.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geula-ferguson-2a22bb17/
X: https://x.com/flphilanthropy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flphilanthropy/
Thank you for a meaningful conversation. We wish you continued success with your mission.
Woman Philanthropists: Geula Ferguson Of Florida Philanthropic Network On How To Leave A Lasting… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.