In Conversation With: Myriam Vander Elst on Giving with Intention

Posted by Bedrock on 2nd June 2025

Our In Conversation With series shares personal and thought-provoking insights from inspiring individuals across diverse industries and backgrounds. It provides practical perspectives on how different forms of capital — intellectual, social, and financial — can be harnessed to drive innovation, growth, and meaningful change, while also offering investors valuable insights into the key trends shaping different sectors.

This time, Maria Villax, Head of Family Strategy and Governance at Bedrock speaks with Myriam Vander Elst, Chief Engagement Officer at Epic Foundation— a global nonprofit that connects nonprofits forging solutions to today’s pressing challenges, and individuals and businesses who want to drive positive change.

Myriam is also the force behind Epic’s School of Philanthropy, a pioneering initiative redefining how we think about giving.

Turning Privilege into Purpose

Q: What led you to philanthropy, and how did your background shape that journey?

I’m originally from northern France and moved to the UK over 30 years ago to study at LSE. My family had been in the sugar manufacturing business for generations, and when the business was sold around 15 years ago, it brought a life-altering shift. Although I wasn’t directly involved in running the company, I became a beneficiary of its sale.

That moment forced me to confront the idea of luck. Why my generation? Why me? That sense of randomness sparked a deep sense of gratitude and a drive to give back in a meaningful way.  After inheriting wealth I hadn’t worked for, I felt compelled to use it contribute to correct the injustice of life. Philanthropy became my way of expressing my gratitude for my good luck.

“Philanthropy became my way of expressing my gratitude for my good luck.”

Intentionality as a Force for Change

Q: What does meaningful impact look like to you in today’s world?

For me, real impact isn’t just about avoiding harm — it’s about actively doing good. And it starts with recognising our own privilege. Even if you have worked incredible hard for your wealth, luck still has a role to play – whether that is luck from having good parents, good health, a good education, or luck that the right opportunity came along at the right time. And we have a role to play in giving that luck back to others that don’t yet have it.

Meaningful impact means being intentional — not reactive — with your giving. It means doing the work to understand where your money goes, and what it achieves.  I strongly believe, that when done intentionally, philanthropy is not a drop in the ocean, it can actually have long lasting systemic impact on fixing the world.

“Meaningful impact means being intentional — not reactive — with your giving. It means doing the work to understand where your money goes, and what it achieves.”

From Kitchen Table to Global Impact

Q: How did you get involved with Epic?

I got involved with Epic after meeting its founder, who had just launched the initiative a month earlier in the U.S. He described Epic as a pro bono, expert-led intermediary — essentially, a team working for free to rigorously audit and select a very small percentage of best-in-class nonprofits focused on children, youth, and the environment.

What really resonated with me was the idea of using deep expertise to identify the most impactful organisations and then connecting them with philanthropists looking to give with purpose and confidence.

I knew it would mean working hard, giving up my salary, and stepping away from a more traditional career path. But I felt that the return on that sacrifice — in terms of impact — would be far greater. We would be directing philanthropic capital to where it could truly make a difference. That was enough to make me leave my job in advertising and launch Epic in Europe from my kitchen table. I’ve never looked back.

Ten years on, Epic has mobilised $94 million, supported 58 nonprofits, raised funds from hundreds of philanthropists, and built a global presence across Europe, the U.S., Asia, and Africa.

“Ten years on, Epic has mobilised $94 million, supported 58 nonprofits, raised funds from hundreds of philanthropists.”

Bringing Rigor to Philanthropy

Q: How does Epic work to identify the best-in-class nonprofits?

We’ve audited hundreds, thousands of charities to identify the best-in-class. To do this, we have developed an investment-style due diligence framework built around three core pillars:

• Who (leadership and governance)
• What (impact measurement)
• How (financial and operational management)

Each pillar includes five KPIs, covering everything from innovation and tech usage to systemic impact and financial sustainability. Over an 8-month assessment process, we work closely with candidates to dive deeper into each metric. Out of hundreds, we select only a few that demonstrate measurable, scalable impact — It’s this depth that builds donor confidence and maximises philanthropic return.

“Out of hundreds, we select only a few that demonstrate measurable, scalable impact — It’s this depth that builds donor confidence and maximises philanthropic return.”

Bridging the Giving Gap

Q: What inspired the creation of Epic’s School of Philanthropy?

The School of Philanthropy wasn’t part of a master plan — it emerged from a decade of experience at Epic and countless conversations with donors and nonprofits. I kept seeing the same disconnect: donors wanted to give but didn’t know how to do it well. They often lacked the knowledge or trust to engage effectively, while nonprofits struggled to communicate their needs transparently.

There was a shared desire on both sides, but no common language. The School of Philanthropy was my answer to that — an accessible space for donors to learn how to give intelligently and strategically, and to understand the needs of the nonprofits. We have schools for finance, for plumbing, even flower arranging — so why not a school for giving?

“We have schools for finance, for plumbing, even flower arranging — so why not a school for giving?”

The Skill of Giving Well

Q: Why do you believe giving requires education and training?

Too many people think giving is simple — but giving well is anything but. You wouldn’t assume you could manage investments without training, so why assume you can give strategically without guidance?

Our workshops are practical, not academic — using real-life scenarios and role-plays to teach donors how to engage with nonprofits, assess their needs, and provide value beyond just writing a cheque. A £10,000 donation given with understanding and support can feel like £30,000 to a charity. That’s the power of intentional giving.

“A £10,000 donation given with understanding and support can feel like £30,000 to a charity. That’s the power of intentional giving.”

Based on my experience, there are three tips that donors can follow for effective giving:  

• Give substantial amounts –Don’t spray dust. Instead, focus on making significant contributions to a few causes.
• Commit to multi-year giving: It’s more beneficial to donate smaller amounts consistently over several years. This allows charities to plan and allocate effectively.
• Provide unrestricted funds: Allow charities the flexibility to use the funds where they are most needed. This empowers them to address their most pressing challenges.

A Call for Philanthropic Capital to Work Harder

Q: What’s the biggest challenge — and opportunity — in philanthropy today?

One of the biggest challenges I see on the donor side is a decline in giving among the wealthy. Many high-net-worth individuals assess their capacity to give based on the annual performance of their investment portfolios, which can fluctuate, rather than considering their overall wealth. As a result, giving often becomes reactive and inconsistent. And paradoxically, the wealthier people become, the less they tend to give proportionally.

Meanwhile, on the nonprofit side, charities are under increasing pressure — expected to deliver essential services with fewer resources and rising demand.

Yet, I remain optimistic. There’s a clear opportunity in the cultural shift we’re seeing around philanthropy. The sector is becoming more professional, more strategic, and more impact-driven. Just as private equity firms push capital to work harder, philanthropic capital must do the same — delivering greater returns in the form of real, measurable impact. For me, that’s the mission of the School of Philanthropy: to equip donors with the mindset, tools, and skills to give smarter and more intentionally — and to ensure that wealth truly works harder for good.

“Just as private equity firms push investment capital to work harder, philanthropic capital must do the same.”

Scaling the Movement

Q: What’s next for the School of Philanthropy?

We’re now working to expand the School through partnerships with private banks, wealth managers, and academic institutions. I’ll be teaching at INSEAD and would love to see the School of Philanthropy reach Ivy League universities and other global hubs of influence.

What excites me is the potential to shape a new generation of donors — people who see giving not just as a moral obligation, but as a skill that can be learned, refined, and used strategically. If we can shift even a fraction of philanthropic capital to be more intentional and impactful, the ripple effects could be enormous. The future of giving is smarter, more empathetic, and more systemic — and that gives me real hope.

If you are interested in finding out more information about strategic philanthropy or the Epic Foundation, please reach out to info@bedrockgroup.ch for more information.