Our Story

Working in different roles across the country, Andrew Spector and Jake Wild Crea recognized the same challenge: philanthropy’s potential is limited by subpar collaboration between and among nonprofits and funders.

Andrew was in Tulsa, OK directing a nonprofit. Jake was in Chicago, IL advising foundations and nonprofits with a national consulting firm. They both realized that many strong efforts already exist to improve philanthropy – but from just one side of the relationship.

That realization became the foundation for Philanthropic Action Lab (PAL), a structured effort where nonprofits and funders work together to strengthen the sector.

Since launching in 2023, PAL has facilitated workshops in Tulsa, led sessions at the Feedback Labs Annual Summit in Denver and the Florida Philanthropic Network Annual Summit in Orlando, and served as the closing plenary at Forefront Illinois’ Annual Summit in Chicago. Across these diverse communities, the goal remains the same: to unite nonprofits and funders to co-create philanthropic processes, structures, and partnerships that unlock philanthropy’s potential.