How the IEEE Foundation Turns Engineering Into Global Impact
·27 min
This episode features Grayson Harris interviewing John McDonald, the new board president of the IEEE Foundation. McDonald is a 55-year member of IEEE, the world's largest professional technical organization with 500,000 members. The IEEE Foundation serves as IEEE's philanthropic partner, managing nearly 300 funds for awards and scholarships.
McDonald joined IEEE as a student in 1971 on his professor's recommendation. He credits IEEE with three career benefits: deep technology learning, a vast professional network, and volunteer leadership development. His six job changes over 50 years came through IEEE connections. He transitioned from purely technical roles to the foundation board in 2021, driven by a desire to give back through time, talent, and treasure. McDonald chaired the foundation's 50th-anniversary campaign and served as vice president of development for two years.
A surprising insight for him was the profound emotional response people have when they learn about IEEE's social impact programs. He describes donor outreach like an all-you-can-eat buffet, where he presents many options to find what personally resonates. The foundation's 2024 Giving Tuesday set a record, aided by a $75,000 matching fund from board members. The board actively engages members through tailored tasks like donor thank-you calls or presentations, not just meeting attendance.
The foundation emphasizes gratitude through its annual "Foundation Day" on February 16th, a day solely for thanking donors without soliciting funds. New recognition programs include the "Heritage Circle" for cumulative donors and a "Forever Generous" group for those including the foundation in estate plans. A new "Ada Lovelace" program will recognize consistent annual donors.
The tone is a conversational and educational interview between a knowledgeable host and an experienced, passionate guest. The style is informal, with personal anecdotes illustrating broader philanthropic principles.
Nonprofit professionals, especially board members and development officers, would love this for its practical insights on donor relations and board engagement. Engineers and IEEE members would find it inspiring for its career and philanthropic pathways. Listeners seeking highly produced narrative storytelling or debate might skip this straightforward discussion.
