BOSTON—August 20, 2025—The Bridgespan Group has named strategist, nonprofit leader, and philanthropic advisor Nicole Baker Fulgham as its newest fellow.
Fulgham will work with Bridgespan’s Racial Equity in Philanthropy (REP) team to surface and contextualize Black philanthropic traditions and mutual aid ecosystems, particularly among high-net-worth Black donors. Her work aims to generate actionable insights that inform the field, shape philanthropic standards, and catalyze more equitable practices. Through research, convenings, and knowledge products, she will explore the motivations, behaviors, and systemic barriers shaping Black giving. Her fellowship runs through December 2025.
“Nicole joins us at a pivotal and promising moment for philanthropy,” said Darren Isom, Bridgespan partner and head of the REP practice. “Her fellowship offers us the opportunity to honor the generosity, love, and vision of the generations who came before us, as we reimagine what equitable philanthropy can look like in the future. We are excited to work with Nicole as she leverages that legacy to chart new possibilities for the field.”
Said Fulgham: “Black donors have always been at the forefront of generosity and collective care, and this fellowship is an opportunity to lift up that legacy while shaping new models of giving. I’m excited to partner with Bridgespan and leaders across the sector to surface insights and strategies that will expand the reach and impact of Black philanthropy.”
Fulgham is the founder and CEO of The Townsend Collaborative, a values-driven donor network uniting justice-oriented Black philanthropists. She previously served as chief impact officer at Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, where she co-managed the $2.3 billion foundation and led initiatives in learning, evaluation, and equity-focused grantmaking.
She is also the founder and former CEO of The Expectations Project, a national nonprofit that mobilizes faith communities to advance educational equity. Earlier in her career, Fulgham held senior leadership roles at Teach For America.
A native of Detroit, Fulgham holds a BA from the University of Michigan and a PhD in Education Policy from UCLA.
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About The Bridgespan Group
The Bridgespan Group (www.bridgespan.org) is a global nonprofit that collaborates with social change organizations, philanthropists, and impact investors to make the world more equitable and just. Bridgespan’s services include strategy consulting and advising, sourcing and diligence, and leadership team support. We take what we learn from this work and build on it with original research, identifying best practices and innovative ideas to share with the social sector. We work from locations in Boston, Delhi, Johannesburg, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, Singapore, and Washington, DC.
