An Inspired Chat with Eva Fordham of West Hollywood

Eva Fordham shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Eva, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Absolutely! If I were looking for a philanthropic expert to help me navigate non-profit complexities, so I can make a difference with my philanthropy, I would hire me in a heartbeat. Honestly, I say that with zero ego – just with genuine confidence in the value I bring.

I don’t just work hard; I work smart and with incredible patience. I understand that meaningful impact takes time and often requires diving deep into the weeds. That’s where my attention to detail kicks in: I see critical fine print and intricate data points that others might overlook.

Beyond technical expertise, I prioritize being a trustworthy partner. My process is fueled by authenticity, bringing my true self and honest advice to every table.

Ultimately, philanthropy should be rewarding, not draining. That’s why I make sure our work is fun! While I am completely serious about achieving goals, I believe a great sense of humor and a positive attitude are important for all relationships.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the Founder, Principal of Expert Philanthropy. The idea of this consultancy came about because I saw a major gap: too many brilliant, kind-hearted people wanted to give strategically, but found the non-profit sector overwhelming. So, I built Expert Philanthropy to remove all that stress and guesswork out of charitable giving. Essentially, what I do is create a strategic roadmap, so that my clients can contribute to organizations that perfectly match their values with absolute confidence.

I think what makes my approach unique is that I treat philanthropy like a sophisticated investment. I don’t just help clients write checks, I combine a deep understanding of the non-profit landscape with strategic business insights. This removes all the stress and guesswork from the process, turning what can sometimes be a confusing challenge into a deeply rewarding experience.

My personal mission is to help philanthropists build a true legacy of purpose by bridging their wealth with the world’s greatest needs, and my goal is to transform giving into an intentional, highly impactful force for good. That’s the part that truly excites me every single day – making sure every dollar does maximum good, all while having a rewarding experience with my partners and clients!

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served its purpose and must now be released is the self-imposed pressure to be everything to everyone.

When I first created Expert Philanthropy, that pressure was actually a huge motivator. It fueled my initial hard work ethic and my desire to say “yes” to every opportunity. That intensity was essential because it helped me gain invaluable experiences and introduced me to wonderful people and partnerships.

However, moving into my current phase—where my focus is on high-precision, strategic impact—I’ve learned that hard work is only effective when guided by actionable clarity.

I have to constantly release that internal urge to solve every problem that crosses my desk. Doing so allows me to concentrate all my energy and expertise on my defined North Star—delivering maximum, targeted impact for my partners. This focus guarantees that I am the most effective and authentic expert that I can be, by dedicating my full strategic capacity to the work that matters most.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
The honest answer is yes. If any business owner claims they haven’t had a moment where they felt like tossing in the towel, they’re not telling the whole story! For me, that moment of near surrender happened early on, right after a period of intense, hard work that didn’t yield immediate results.

The perfect storm was brewed by the following: the frustrating lag between intense effort, the cash flow not matching the effort, and about zero patience.

I’d put in the intense effort, but the sales cycle in philanthropic advising can be long. When the revenue didn’t immediately align with the effort, that feeling of financial pressure, combined with my own self-imposed, tight deadlines, was a recipe for real doubt. My lack of patience made every setback feel like a sign to quit.

Thankfully, that low moment was brief because I have an incredible support group. I am so grateful for my strong network of friends, family, and colleagues. They weren’t just cheerleaders; they were my strategic anchors. They reminded me of the strength of my vision, helped me adjust my timeline from “now” to “next quarter,” and, most importantly, helped me trade impossible expectations for achievable patience.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That is a fantastic question, and one I love to address. My industry—strategic philanthropy—is unfortunately plagued by a few pervasive myths. If I had to boil them down, the two biggest lies we hear are external perceptions that the sector often struggles to shake off:

Lie 1: Philanthropy is Just a Tax Break
This is the biggest offender, and it completely misses the point. While charitable giving certainly has favorable tax treatment, the core motivation for strategic philanthropists is almost never just the deduction.

The truth is, my clients are looking for a legacy of purpose. They are deeply motivated to solve huge, complex problems and align their wealth with their values. Tax planning is the mechanism we use to maximize the resources available, and impact is the engine. To suggest high-net-worth giving is purely transactional ignores the deeply personal commitment required to truly sustain a foundation or lead a giving strategy.

Lie 2: All Non-Profits are Ineffective or Not Trustworthy
This is a dangerous generalization that stems from a handful of bad actors and sensationalized media stories. This lie is inaccurate and actively harms highly effective organizations that are doing essential work.

The truth is, like any sector, there is a spectrum of effectiveness. But this is exactly why Expert Philanthropy exists. It’s not about avoiding non-profits; it’s about applying the same rigorous attention to detail and due diligence you would to any investment. I dive into the financials, the governance, the measurable impact metrics, and the sustainability of an organization. When someone partners with experts to filter out the noise and find those high-impact, trustworthy partners, one finds out that there are plenty of non-profits that are above board and make a true difference in the community.

I am here to help people overcome those cynical hurdles and participate in the real, powerful change that the non-profit world drives every day.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Yes, without a doubt. Early on, I thought success was about hitting certain milestones and staying busy with big projects. But once I reached those goals, I realized that just being busy wasn’t enough. I had the career I thought I wanted, but I was missing a sense of real, intentional purpose.

That’s what led to my pivot. I realized I didn’t just want to be part of the process; I wanted to focus on the strategy and the “why” behind it. This is how I moved into the advising side of philanthropy.

It wasn’t a change in direction, it was a change in depth. I discovered that I’m far more satisfied when I can take a step back, look at the bigger picture, and make sure that resources are being used in the smartest way possible. For me, “getting what I want” has evolved. It’s no longer about how much I’m doing, but about the thought and care put into the work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.expertphilanthropy.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-fordham/

Image Credits
Group shot: Michelle R.