INTERVIEW | Make Money with Purpose, Venture Philanthropy, and the Power of Hope with Jim Bildner

Jim Bildner is the CEO of Draper Richards Kaplan (DRK), one of the world’s largest venture philanthropy firms. With experience across the private sector, government, and philanthropy, Jim has spent his career helping mission-driven organizations create meaningful change. In this episode, he explains how venture capital principles can be applied to philanthropy, why financial discipline is essential for nonprofits, and how purpose—not money—can be the foundation for a fulfilling life. He also shares the deeply personal experience that changed the direction of his life and inspired his new book, A Matter of Hope.

On this episode we talk about:

What venture philanthropy is and how DRK applies venture capital principles to the social sector

Why nonprofits need strong financial controls and business fundamentals just like for-profit companies

How the loss of Jim’s son became a pivotal moment that led him to pursue a greater purpose

Why Jim believes hope is a verb and something we actively do rather than simply feel

The importance of purpose and why chasing money for its own sake can be an empty pursuit

How to build a deep, meaningful network based on trust rather than simply collecting contacts

What Jim looks for when evaluating entrepreneurs, including coachability, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the problem

Why successful entrepreneurs need to fall in love with solving the problem—not their initial solution

How DRK identifies and supports organizations working to address inequity in health, education, housing, employment, and social justice

Jim’s new book, A Matter of Hope, and the stories of entrepreneurs creating meaningful change