Nicholas (Nick) Tedesco is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP). NCFP serves as a hub of learning, connection, and collaboration designed to resource and activate a community of families to be intentional philanthropic stewards. Nick is a passionate advocate for philanthropy and brings over a decade of experience partnering with donors and their families to establish and meet their giving goals.

Prior to joining NCFP, Nick served as a Senior Advisor in the J.P. Morgan Philanthropy Centre where he provided clients with insights and services to help meet their philanthropic objectives through innovative advice, thought leadership and opportunities for learning and collaboration.

Previously, Nick served as a Relationship Manager at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he helped launch the Giving Pledge—an effort led by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett to encourage the world’s wealthiest individuals and families to commit the majority of their wealth to philanthropy. In this role, Nick managed relationships with current and prospective members of the pledge, as well as their staff and advisors. He helped to connect global philanthropists with one another in effort to exchange knowledge and encourage collaboration.

Nick began his career in the social sector as the Deputy Director of the Children’s Health Forum—a national nonprofit focused on the prevention and eradication of childhood diseases that disproportionately impact underserved communities.

Nick was named to the inaugural Chronicle of Philanthropy 40 Under 40 ranking in 2016. He has been quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal MarketWatch, Time Magazine and other notable publications. He serves as a director of the Wild Elements Foundation—a conscious catalyst for change that accelerates efforts to restore our global ecosystem.

Nick received a B.A. from Villanova University and resides in Washington, D.C.

Contributions

Featured Article

Gift from Mackenzie Scott, Dan Jewett Helps NCFP Meet this Moment of Change

Posted on June 15, 2021 by Nicholas A. Tedesco

Change is upon us. Change for the world, where social norms and constructs are transforming. Change for the sector, where the purpose and practice of philanthropy is shifting. Change for philanthropic families, whose new leaders are emerging.  The National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP) recognizes opportunity in change, because it marks moments ripe for innovation, learning, and collaboration. Today marks… Read More
Effective Family Philanthropy in Action

Family Philanthropy Speaks: A Conversation with Irene Pritzker and Liesel Pritzker Simmons

Posted on June 14, 2021 by Irene Pritzker, Liesel Pritzker Simmons, Nicholas A. Tedesco

Liesel Pritzker Simmons, principal and co-founder of Blue Haven Initiative, and her mom Irene Pritzker, president of the IDP Foundation, have built innovative family philanthropy efforts. In this Family Philanthropy Speaks episode, hear how Liesel and Irene have learned alongside one another while forging their own identities as impact investors and change agents. About the Series Philanthropy is a practice… Read More

Nexus of Strategy and Governance

Posted on May 6, 2021 by Renee Kaplan, Nicholas A. Tedesco, Sapphira Goradia, Ashley Blanchard

Family philanthropy is a complex pursuit—one that requires clearly defined goals and objectives. However, strategy is only as good as the governance structures in place to support it, and social impact cannot be realized without a defined strategy and effective decision-making. Tying the National Center for Family Philanthropy’s expertise in family governance and The Philanthropy Workshop’s tools for effective strategy, join… Read More
Effective Family Philanthropy in Action

Family Philanthropy Speaks: A Conversation with Valerie Rockefeller

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Valerie Rockefeller, Nicholas A. Tedesco

Valerie Rockefeller chairs the board of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, bringing her skills as a special education teacher and passion for impact investing. In this Family Philanthropy Speaks conversation, Valerie talks with NCFP President and CEO Nick Tedesco about building her own identity within a well-known family and strategies for successfully leading a family foundation board. Related Resources Content Collection:… Read More
Effective Family Philanthropy in Action

Family Philanthropy Speaks: A Conversation with Kimberly Myers Hewlett

Posted on April 6, 2021 by Nicholas A. Tedesco, Kimberly Myers Hewlett

Kimberly Myers Hewlett is steeped in philanthropy and brings a variety of perspectives and experiences to her work. She is president of the Myers Family Foundation, a director of the Flora Family Foundation, and chair of the NCFP board. She is also the senior vice president for donor engagement at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. In this Family Philanthropy Speaks… Read More

Leaning into Racial Justice with the Surdna Foundation and Andrus Family Fund

Posted on March 29, 2021 by Carra Cote-Ackah, Kaitlin Miles, Nicholas A. Tedesco, Don Chen

Amid a national reckoning with race and the pandemic, foundations are leaning into racial justice like never before. Yet many foundations are grappling with how to fund racial equity and the best way forward for their institution and grantees. In this Community Conversation, the Surdna Foundation and Andrus Family Fund will explore their decision to increase funding for racial justice,… Read More

2021 Trustee Education Institute

Posted on March 9, 2021 by Isabel Nogueira, Alyson Wise, Jumi Falusi, Milton Speid, Emily Kaiser, Adrian Ruiz, Lisa Jackson, Priscilla Enriquez, Dorothy Gardner, Regan Pritzker

NCFP’s Trustee Education Institute provides a comprehensive overview of the important legal, investment, ethical, grantmaking, and family dynamics issues facing family foundation board members and CEOs. Featuring the perspectives of innovative donors and a faculty made up of donors, board members, and highly respected philanthropy experts, this virtual seminar covers: Translating values and goals into action Connecting family legacy and… Read More
Effective Family Philanthropy in Action

Family Philanthropy Speaks: A Conversation with Vasser Seydel

Posted on March 1, 2021 by Vasser Seydel, Nicholas A. Tedesco

Vasser Seydel, the granddaughter of Ted Turner, is the founding chair of the Turner 3rd Generation Board (T3G), a member of the Turner Foundation Board, and is a Millennial leader forging her own path in philanthropy. NCFP President and CEO Nick Tedesco spoke with Vasser about the inception of the T3G Board, the challenges of generational transition, how to engage… Read More

Family Foundation CEO Retreat

Posted on February 12, 2021 by Betsy Erickson, Janine Mason, Michael Smith, Tina Runyan, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Bari Katz, Rob Reich, Shaady Salehi, Carmen Rojas, Diana Scearce

The role of a family foundation CEO is unique, often bridging generations of family members, community leaders, staff, advisors, and partners. Expectations can be challenging to meet and boundaries are sometimes vague and ever-changing. Success in this role requires a cadre of specialized leadership skills, particularly in these divisive and dynamic times. This 3-day virtual retreat, designed for both new… Read More
Effective Family Philanthropy in Action

Family Philanthropy Speaks: A Conversation with Jeff and Tricia Raikes

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Jeff and Tricia Raikes, Nicholas A. Tedesco

Jeff and Tricia Raikes, founders of the Seattle-based Raikes Foundation, are using their platform to push other donors to embrace and advance racial justice. In this Family Philanthropy Speaks conversation, Jeff and Tricia join Nick Tedesco to discuss how they have changed practices and acknowledged privilege throughout their donor journey. Jeff shares the value of diversifying their network, which opens… Read More