Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy (CLIP) is a mindset that transforms lean funders from grantmakers into changemakers. Its key skills—listening deeply, building strong relationships, and understanding the landscape—help funders stay grounded in their communities and use every asset at their disposal, not just dollars, to spark lasting change.
This case study highlights how Sheena Solomon, executive director of The Gifford Foundation, puts these skills into action. Through deep listening, authentic relationship-building, and a nuanced understanding of Syracuse’s community landscape, she has built trust, strengthened nonprofits, and fostered equity from the inside out.
Sheena Solomon’s Path to Catalytic Leadership
As executive director of The Gifford Foundation, Sheena Solomon exemplifies catalytic leadership through her commitment to listening, building strong relationships, and understanding the landscape of her community. Leading one of the smallest foundations in Syracuse, New York, she has amplified Gifford’s influence far beyond its size—demonstrating the power of proximity and trust-building as tools for impactful philanthropy.
Her approach is defined by living and working alongside the community she serves.
“Going into the community is normal because I don’t only serve the community; I live, work, play, and have raised a family in this community,” she says.
This closeness has enabled her to bridge trust between residents, nonprofits, and systems, showing how lean funders can drive meaningful change through connection and consistency.
Deep Listening as a Mindset
For Solomon, listening is not a task but a way of being. She believes communities know best what they need, and her role as a funder is to trust, listen, and partner—rather than impose outside solutions.
“Teaching people how to fish is significant,” she explains. “If I give you a piece of fish today, it will eventually be gone. How do you eat tomorrow?”
Her practice of listening is tied to proximity. By engaging directly with people across races, ethnicities, and neighborhoods—not just nonprofit leaders or gatekeepers—she ensures philanthropy reflects the voices of those most impacted. This approach underpins The Gifford Foundation’s mission to be a partner with the community, not simply a provider of services.
Building Relationships
Solomon’s leadership style is deeply relational. She believes trust is built over time through consistent, authentic engagement. Over the years, she has earned what she calls “street credibility” by attending block parties, joining community meetings, and showing up in times of both celebration and crisis.
This trust extends to her work with nonprofits. Solomon partners with organizations not just as grantees but as collaborators, supporting often-overlooked needs like succession planning, technology, professional development, and systems reviews. Her approach has helped position The Gifford Foundation as a trusted supporter of nonprofits that might otherwise struggle to access critical resources.
She also recognized that many nonprofit boards in Syracuse did not reflect the diversity of the communities they served. To address this, she launched the Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders program, designed to train people from underrepresented backgrounds to serve on boards. The initiative has diversified nonprofit leadership across the city while also fostering a sense of community among participants—creating ripple effects of collaboration and shared learning.
Understanding the Landscape
Solomon’s leadership is grounded in a deep understanding of Syracuse’s community landscape. She acknowledges that philanthropy can be a “wagon-jumping field,” with trends that rise and fade, yet she has kept The Gifford Foundation committed to equity, diversity, and capacity-building as core values—not passing priorities.
She also recognizes the systemic challenges nonprofits face, particularly their reliance on state and federal funding. Sustainability is often precarious, and Solomon partners with organizations to strengthen their long-term stability. By helping nonprofits build resilience and self-sufficiency, she ensures they can continue serving their communities even in uncertain times. Her ability to look beyond immediate needs and focus on long-term solutions is a hallmark of her catalytic leadership.
Lasting Impact
Sheena Solomon’s work at The Gifford Foundation is a case study in catalytic leadership. Through her commitment to listening, building strong relationships, and understanding the community landscape, she has transformed a small foundation into a powerful force for change in Syracuse.
Her leadership shows how proximity to the issues and trust in the community can create lasting impact. By fostering a culture of equity, inclusion, and capacity-building, Solomon has ensured that The Gifford Foundation is not just a funder but a true partner in shaping a better future for Syracuse.
Beyond the Case Study
Sheena Solomon’s leadership has been recognized well beyond Syracuse. She was honored as the recipient of Exponent Philanthropy’s 2023 Outsized Impact Award, celebrating funders whose giving achieves results beyond expectations.
This fall, Solomon will bring her insights directly to Exponent Philanthropy’s Annual Conference. She is featured in the opening plenary and will lead a session, “Elevating Your Impact by Building an Effective Board for Your Foundation,” where she will share practical lessons on strengthening governance and fostering inclusive leadership.
Her ongoing contributions underscore why she is a leading voice in catalytic leadership and a model for lean funders nationwide.
Further Listening
On The Catalytic Philanthropy Podcast, Solomon shares more about the power of proximity and why listening is the foundation for trust.