Philanthropy with an Entrepreneurial Lens: How Business Leaders-turned-Philanthropists Choose What to Fund

Not all grants come from government agencies. In fact, some of the most influential funders in education, health, and technology today are philanthropic foundations started by entrepreneurs—people who built successful companies and now want to fund high-impact solutions that reflect their business-minded approach to change.

At Lion’s Share Strategies, we work closely with researchers, institutions, and nonprofit leaders to help them understand this crucial distinction: philanthropic funders don't think like federal agencies. They're not checking boxes—they're looking for bold ideas, visionary leaders, and real-world impact.

Below are three standout foundations launched by business leaders—and what you need to know if you want to earn their support.

1. The Gates Foundation: Betting on Scale and Systems Change

Founder: Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft

Focus Areas: Global health, K-12 and postsecondary education, poverty reduction

The Gates Foundation doesn’t fund small-scale, one-off programs. They’re looking for solutions that can scale, influence policy, and change systems. Their team approaches projects like venture capitalists evaluating a start-up:

• Is the idea evidence-based and data-driven?

• Is there a path to reach millions, not hundreds?

• Will this funding unlock other resources or partnerships?

  
  

What They Care About: Measurable outcomes, leverage points within education or health systems, and partners who can execute with discipline and speed.

How This Differs from Federal Grants: While federal funders often support pilot projects or narrow research aims, Gates is looking for catalytic impact and cross-sector collaboration.

2. The Emerson Collective: Investing in Changemakers, Not Just Programs

Founder: Laurene Powell Jobs, entrepreneur and philanthropist

Focus Areas: Education, immigration, environmental justice, media

Emerson Collective operates more like a social impact investor than a traditional foundation. They back people—especially those with bold, unconventional ideas—and often provide unrestricted capital so changemakers can adapt and innovate in real time.

• Are you tackling an urgent issue at a systems level?

• Are you a courageous leader with a long-term vision?

• Can your work spark cultural, political, or institutional change?

  
  

What They Care About: Storytelling, equity, policy, and the power of individuals to shift the status quo.

How This Differs from Federal Grants: Federal RFPs reward precision and predictability. Emerson backs people with big visions—even if the outcomes aren’t yet fully measurable.

3. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative: Tech-Forward, Long-Term, and Impact-Oriented

Founders: Priscilla Chan & Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook

Focus Areas: Science, education, housing, criminal justice reform

CZI combines philanthropy with engineering. Their team includes scientists, data scientists, product managers, and policy experts. When they choose projects, they’re thinking long-term—often 10, 20, or even 50 years out.

• Are you using technology in novel ways to solve systemic problems?

• Are you designing for underserved populations or structural barriers?

• Are you building data and measurement into the work from day one?

  
  

What They Care About: Equity, science-backed innovation, and the intersection of technology and social good.

How This Differs from Federal Grants: CZI is not just funding research—they’re building shared infrastructure, tools, and coalitions. They think like product teams, not program officers.

Final Takeaway: Speak Their Language

If you’re applying for philanthropic support from a foundation like these, don’t just copy and paste your federal grant proposal. You need to tailor your pitch to reflect what these funders care about:

✅ Big vision with long-term implications

✅ Impact that scales beyond a pilot study

✅ A founder’s mindset and entrepreneurial energy

✅ Measurable change in the real world—not just academic publications

At Lion’s Share Strategies, we help research teams and mission-driven organizations translate their work into the language of high-impact philanthropy. Because the truth is, these funders aren’t just giving—they’re investing. And your work might be their next big bet.

Need help crafting a pitch or proposal for a philanthropic funder? Let’s talk.