Leadership

Elsa Gomes Bondlow is a philanthropist and an advisor to donors interested in making deliberate long-lasting changes in underfunded communities. She works diligently with and on behalf of traditionally underrepresented voices, empowering them in amplifying their own aspirations and materializing their plans.

She has been a resource in advising policymakers in advocacy; guiding individuals through professional transitions, career and hiring processes; training nonprofits on how to better engage funders in meaningful community work done in solidarity; as well as directing corporate social responsibility campaigns to maximize public-private partnerships. All of this has pushed the needle on social impact work, locally and internationally and has inspired giving in ways that make a tangible difference in social good.

“Often those with lived experience in most societal problems, are left out of the decisions made about their own lives and that have the most impact on their futures. With the Social Equity Access Fund, we flipped the script, and asked, listened, and trusted the community to know their own needs best. We distributed funds widely to organizations actively working to decrease economic oppression, with very few limiting constraints, after sincere conversations with each potential grantee-partner. ” - Elsa Gomes Bondlow, Founder of the Social Equity Access Fund