Nicole Baker Fulgham
Philanthropy Strategist & Community-Centered Change Leader
Tenure: July–December 2025
Fellowship Focus: Surface and contextualize Black philanthropic traditions and mutual aid ecosystems, generating actionable knowledge to inform the field, shape standards, and catalyze more equitable philanthropic practices. What We’re Setting Out to Do Nicole’s fellowship supports Bridgespan’s Racial Equity in Philanthropy (REP) initiative and contributes to the firm’s broader knowledge-building agenda. Through research, convenings, and knowledge products, including articles, donor insights, and strategic frameworks, she will explore the motivations, behaviors, and structural dynamics of high-net-worth Black donors. Her work seeks to lift up longstanding models of collective giving, generate field-relevant knowledge, and strengthen equity-driven practices in philanthropy.
Fellowship Focus: Surface and contextualize Black philanthropic traditions and mutual aid ecosystems, generating actionable knowledge to inform the field, shape standards, and catalyze more equitable philanthropic practices. What We’re Setting Out to Do Nicole’s fellowship supports Bridgespan’s Racial Equity in Philanthropy (REP) initiative and contributes to the firm’s broader knowledge-building agenda. Through research, convenings, and knowledge products, including articles, donor insights, and strategic frameworks, she will explore the motivations, behaviors, and structural dynamics of high-net-worth Black donors. Her work seeks to lift up longstanding models of collective giving, generate field-relevant knowledge, and strengthen equity-driven practices in philanthropy.
About Nicole
- Founder & CEO, The Townsend Collaborative — a values-driven donor network that brings together justice-oriented Black philanthropists to build collective impact through shared learning and aligned action.
- Former Chief Impact Officer, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies — co-managed the $2.3B foundation; led initiatives in learning, evaluation, and equity-focused grantmaking.
- Founder, The Expectations Project — a national nonprofit mobilizing faith communities to address educational equity.
- Held senior leadership roles at Teach For America, including Vice President positions in training, faith community relations, and impact assessment.
- Has led and advised across the philanthropic ecosystem, raising over $55 million for nonprofits, designing strategy for $110 million in grants, and managing an additional $900 million in portfolios.