Phil Buchanan

Phil Buchanan is a prominent leader in the philanthropic sector, serving as the President of the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP). Here's a comprehensive overview of his background and achievements:

Professional Background

Leadership at CEP:: Hired in 2001 as the organization's first chief executive, Buchanan has led CEP to become the leading provider of data and insight on philanthropic effectiveness.1 2 He is a passionate advocate for the importance of philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.1 2 3

Notable Achievements

Author and Media Presence::

Published "Giving Done Right: Effective Philanthropy and Making Every Dollar Count" in 2019, which was named the "Best Philanthropy Book of the Year" by Inside Philanthropy2 3
Co-host of the "Giving Done Right" podcast
Frequent blogger and columnist for the CEP Blog and The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Author of op-eds in publications like The New York Times and Financial Times2

Recognition::

Named "Nonprofit Times Influencer of the Year" in 20161 2
Repeatedly listed in Nonprofit Times' "Power and Influence Top 50" list, most recently in 20232

Other Initiatives

YouthTruth:: Co-founder of this CEP initiative designed to leverage student perceptions to improve K-12 education1 2 3

Educational Background

Born in Toronto and raised in Portland, Oregon2 3
Graduated from Wesleyan University with a Government major, receiving the Butterfield Prize2
Earned an MBA from Harvard Business School2 3

Board Involvement

Serves on the boards of:

National Council on Aging (where he chairs the Governance Committee)1 2 3
Institute for Nonprofit Practice2
Philanthropy Massachusetts1

Personal Details

Lives in Concord, Massachusetts with his wife and dog, Nella
Has two adult daughters, Ava and Margo3

Buchanan is widely recognized for his expertise in philanthropy, focusing on helping foundations and donors maximize their impact and understand the nuanced challenges of effective charitable giving.