Philanthropy that reflects who you are.
channeling charity partners with individuals, families, and organizations to build philanthropic strategies that are as thoughtful, intentional, and human as the people behind them.
What I believe
Philanthropy and charitable giving can be deeply connected to the values and vision that drive the rest of someone's life. When giving is rooted in that kind of clarity, it becomes more meaningful for the giver and more impactful for the people and communities it reaches.
I think it should be different than what most people experience today. Too often, giving becomes something that happens on the side, managed by advisors and shaped primarily by tax strategy. There is so much more it can be.
channeling charity exists to help people get there. Not through a formula or a framework, but through real partnership that meets you where you are and helps you move toward a philanthropic vision that feels right.
Who I work with
I work with individuals, families, and organizations across the U.S. who want to approach their philanthropic giving with greater intention. Whether you're just beginning to think about philanthropy or looking to reshape an existing approach, I'd welcome the conversation.
Two areas where I bring particular depth:
New wealth holders
Coming into significant wealth through an IPO, an exit, or entrepreneurship changes more than your financial picture. It changes your relationship to money, to purpose, and to the world around you. I help people navigating these transitions think holistically about their giving from the start.
Next Gen philanthropy
When multiple generations share a philanthropic legacy, values don't always align neatly. I specialize in bridging those conversations, helping families navigate generational differences with care, and find common ground that honors both tradition and fresh perspective.
Holistic and integrated
Every engagement is different because every person, family, and organization is different. I don't follow a fixed sequence of steps. Instead, I treat the work as interconnected: your relationship to money, your values, your giving strategy, and the research that informs it all shape one another continuously.
Every engagement begins with an intentional intake process to understand your context, your goals, and whether we're a good fit to work together.
Fractional Philanthropy Advisor
I also serve as a Fractional Philanthropy Advisor for individuals, families, and organizations looking for ongoing strategic guidance without the need for a full-time hire. Whether it's a single conversation or a sustained partnership, I meet you where you are.
Dr. Brendan Chan
Brendan Chan is the founder of channeling charity. He spent nearly a decade at Google, where he led global education equity strategy and advised Google.org on over $30 million in grants. He holds a Doctorate in Education Leadership from Harvard, and his career has spanned teaching, nonprofit leadership, policy work, and running a family office for an education philanthropist.
Brendan started channeling charity because he believes that people with significant resources deserve more than transactional support when it comes to their giving. They deserve a partner who understands that generosity is personal, complex, and deeply human.
If any of this resonates, I'd love to hear from you.
brendan@channelingcharity.org