Richard Marker

"It is hard to say 'no' graciously; it is even harder to say 'yes' wisely" is the underlying theme of Marker's writing, teaching, and advising.

Richard Marker devotes his life to philanthropy. He is:

- a funder, trustee, and board member of several grantmaking foundations,

- an advisor to foundations, families, and funders [WISE PHILANTHROPY - Marker Goldsmith Philanthropy Advisors],

- a professor of philanthropy and educator of other funders [Founder, NYU Academy for Grantmaking and Funder Education],

- a popular speaker and lecturer [5 continents, 39 countries, 40 of the United States],

- and regular writer and commentator about the philanthropy field.

His 40+ year professional career includes being CEO of a major foundation, International VP of a multi-national non-profit, president of a for-profit consulting company, and university chaplain.

Marker is an astute observer of trends and cutting edge thinking, but also very wary of fads. Knowing which is which is the core of the good judgement required of being a successful philanthropist.