Nicole Taylor, President and CEO of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, on Giving Across Generations, Diverse Causes, Donor Advised Funds, and Lasting Impact
- May 10
- 2 min read
Updated: May 11
Nicole Taylor, President and CEO of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, joins Alberto Lidji to explore the evolving landscape of modern philanthropy through the lens of the world’s largest community foundation.
The conversation examines how donor advised funds (DAFs) are reshaping giving across generations, from ultra high net worth philanthropists to everyday donors seeking meaningful impact. Nicole explains why donor advised funds have become a flexible and increasingly influential vehicle for charitable giving, and how Silicon Valley Community Foundation supports donors in translating intention into action.
Nicole also discusses the Foundation’s deep local engagement across the Bay Area, including work focused on housing affordability, economic mobility, healthcare workforce development, and small business growth in one of the most unequal regions in the United States.
The episode further explores the Foundation’s global reach, including how it supports donors pursuing international development and cross border philanthropy through partnerships and philanthropic networks spanning regions such as Africa, including Rwanda.
Key themes include:
The role of donor advised funds in contemporary philanthropy and why they appeal to donors across wealth levels
How philanthropy evolves across generations, from emerging wealth creators to legacy focused giving
Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s work on housing, healthcare careers, and economic opportunity in California
The importance of collaboration, donor circles, and expert networks in advancing more strategic philanthropy
Why community foundations remain essential civic institutions in both local and global giving
About Nicole Taylor
Nicole Taylor is president and CEO of Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the nation's largest community foundation. Named to TIME's inaugural 100 Most Influential People in Philanthropy, Nicole has a rich background in Bay Area philanthropy, nonprofit administration, and fundraising, with extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. Since taking the helm at SVCF, Nicole has led a strategic shift centered on equity, trust-based philanthropy, and deep local engagement, while encouraging donors to give locally alongside their national and international giving.
Before joining SVCF, Nicole served as vice president of the ASU Foundation, and previously as deputy vice president and dean of students at Arizona State University. Earlier in her career, she was associate vice provost of student affairs and dean of community engagement and diversity at Stanford University, and served as president and CEO of Thrive Foundation for Youth in Silicon Valley. Nicole also spent more than 15 years with East Bay Community Foundation, including six years as its president and CEO.
Nicole served on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco for six years and currently serves as a board member of Common Sense Media, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and Top Hat. She also sits on Stanford's Graduate School of Education Advisory Council.
Nicole received both her M.A. in Education and A.B. in Human Biology from Stanford University, and she began her career as an educator in Oakland public schools.