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What does it take to bridge the gap between frontline communities and those who want to give? On today’s episode, we dive into the intersection of climate philanthropy, innovation, and impact with insights from the Milken Institute with Managing Director Strategic Philanthropy, Emily Musil.
Join us as she shares her journey into climate work and her passion for leveraging global tech solutions to address pressing environmental challenges. We explore how the Milken Institute structures its efforts to help people lead meaningful lives through finance, health, and strategic philanthropy while also building strategies to support those who want to give. From deforestation and food systems to oceans and public engagement, we break down the four critical areas in need of philanthropic support.
We also discuss the role of state and municipal governments in advancing climate commitments and how collaboration between policymakers and changemakers can drive systemic solutions. Finally, we highlight the excitement of working with entrepreneurs to fuel major change, because when innovation meets purpose, real transformation happens. Tune in to discover how philanthropy can make a tangible difference, the key insights from the latest Milken Institute reports, and the powerful ways individuals and institutions can contribute to a sustainable future.
Key Points From This Episode:
Emily Musil’s pathway to climate work and her passion for global tech solutions across climate-related issues. [0:02:01]
How the Milken Institute is structured to support people to live a meaningful life through finances, health, and strategic philanthropy. [0:04:12]
Working to be a bridge between frontline communities and those who want to give. [0:10:24]
Reports at the Milken Institute: selecting key opinion leaders, subject matter, and more. [0:13:14]
Four main areas that need philanthropic support: deforestation, food systems, oceans and communications, and public engagement. [0:17:28]
Ten strategic insights on how to make a positive impact for audience segments in funding and grant-seeking. [0:19:16]
The role of state and municipal governments and their commitments to climate. [0:26:55]
How The Milken Institute works to build strategies to support people who want to give. [0:32:10]
The exciting task of working with entrepreneurs to contribute to major change. [0:35:35]
Quotes:
“What people don’t necessarily think about with philanthropy, is this is a sort of capital that can operate differently than other forms of capital.” — Emily Musil [0:05:59]
“We hear from people looking for philanthropic capital that the more you restrict the money, the harder it is for people to really operate and to iterate quickly.” — Emily Musil [0:08:46]
“Rather than assuming, ask. Really talk to the stakeholders about what it is that they need.” — Emily Musil [0:24:19]
“I still have hope. I still get out of bed every morning and believe that we can move forward and we’re working together.” — Emily Musil [0:33:07]
“Humans [are] – hardwired for negativity. We’re also hardwired for ingenuity.” — Emily Musil [0:35:54]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Emily Musil on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-musil-5b19783b/
XPRIZE Foundation — https://www.xprize.org/
Milken Institute — https://milkeninstitute.org/
Milken Institute Reports — https://milkeninstitute.org/content-hub/research-and-reports
Confluence Philanthropy — https://confluencephilanthropy.org/
What environmental history reveals about our current ‘planetary risk’ — https://news.mongabay.com/podcast/2025/03/what-environmental-history-reveals-about-our-current-planetary-risk/ -
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