Benefactor Group is excited to welcome Taylor Boulware, PhD (she/they), as the newest Consultant on our Communications team.
Why did you get involved with serving nonprofit organizations?
My journey of serving nonprofit organizations began in my childhood as a Girl Scout. For ten years, I learned the value of service, leadership, and being an active contributor to my community. Those experiences instilled in me a deep appreciation for the power of collective action and the belief that even small efforts can make a big difference. That foundation—along with my love of literature—sparked a lifelong passion for making the world a better place, and it’s a thread that has run through every stage of my career, from my time in higher ed administration, high school and university teaching, and now to communications consulting for mission-driven nonprofit organizations.
At every stage of journey, my understanding of the challenges nonprofits face deepened—as well as my understanding of the transformative impact they have on the people and communities they serve. After earning my Doctorate in English from the University of Washington in 2017, I decided to leave Academia and return to the nonprofit world because I don’t just want to study and teach stories and theories of change: I want to be a storyteller and changemaker. Today, I feel so incredibly fortunate to use my skills to serve those who serve the common good, partnering with incredible people and organizations to drive change, amplify impact, and build a more just and equitable future for all.
Why did you join Benefactor Group?
I joined Benefactor Group because this team doesn’t just talk about making a difference—we make it happen. From the moment I learned about the firm, I was drawn to its deep expertise in philanthropy and its unwavering commitment to partnering with incredible nonprofits to fuel missions that matter. Benefactor Group isn’t just about raising money; it’s about helping nonprofits achieve transformational results that truly change lives.
And the timing couldn’t be better. The firm is in an exciting period of growth, expanding its reach and impact in new and meaningful ways. That momentum energizes me, and being part of a dynamic, growing firm means I can help even more organizations advance their missions and create lasting change. That’s the kind of work that keeps me excited to show up every day and makes me feel like I have finally found my professional home.
At the heart of it all, I joined Benefactor Group because I believe in its mission—to serve those who serve the common good. Nonprofits are tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges, and they deserve expert partners who can help them tell their stories, engage supporters, and secure the resources they need to thrive. I’m honored to be part of a team that lifts up those who work tirelessly to make our communities stronger, more just, and more vibrant.
What inspires you to serve the common good?
I am inspired by the belief that everything we do is political—and that everything we do matters. The systems we live within were built to benefit the few at the expense of the many, and every choice we make either reinforces or challenges that status quo. I also believe in the power of collective action: through solidarity, shared resources, and a commitment to justice, we can dismantle those oppressive systems and build something better—something that serves all, not just the few.
For me, serving the common good means refusing to accept a world where people are treated as commodities and where profits are valued over human lives. It’s about centering equity, justice, and compassion in everything we do. Whether it’s amplifying the work of nonprofits that fight for systemic change, provide vital education and healthcare, or a safety net for the most vulnerable, I see this work as a radical act of hope and resistance.
Ultimately, what inspires me is knowing that we’re not alone in this. We’re part of a broader movement that understands real change happens when people come together, share what they have, and refuse to accept the status quo. By showing up every day with purpose, by engaging in thoughtful work, and by pushing for change—even in small, incremental ways—we’re proving that a better world isn’t just possible. It’s already in the making.
We are living in rapidly changing times – which extends to the philanthropic landscape. What gives hope for the future of philanthropy over the next five years?
What gives me hope is the growing recognition that philanthropy cannot simply be about generosity—it must be about justice. We are living in a moment of escalating crisis, where federal disruption, calculated harm, and rising fascism are reinforcing oppression, deepening inequality, and directly threatening the nonprofit sector. In this context, philanthropy must be bold, strategic, and unapologetically focused on addressing systems of harm—not just mitigating their effects.
I’m hopeful because more people are questioning traditional power dynamics and demanding philanthropy center equity, inclusion, and systemic change. Funders are shifting from transactional giving to sustained investment in community leadership, collective action, and movement-building. The rise of trust-based philanthropy, social impact and reparative giving, and community-driven funding models signals a growing commitment to redistributing power, not just resources.
And this isn’t just about strategy; it’s about survival. The forces of oppression are relentless, and philanthropy must meet this moment with equal urgency. The next five years offer a chance to move beyond allyship into real transformation—funding not just programs, but the dismantling of harmful systems and the creation of just, sustainable alternatives.
What influences how you give, volunteer, or advocate.
For my personal giving, I prioritize mutual aid in my community, and organizations led by and serving those most impacted by injustice, including organizations advancing queer, immigrant, and reproductive rights. I am also deeply committed to open access and independent media, motivated by belief that knowledge sharing is essential to the common good and creating a liberated society of communal thriving. I support efforts that democratize access to knowledge, amplify independent and marginalized voices, and foster spaces where people can share ideas freely and collaboratively.
My volunteer work is driven by my commitment to using my distinct skills to serve my community, so I focus on pro bono communications work for nonprofits, grassroots organizations, and individuals. My advocacy is focused on amplifying voices that have historically been excluded from the conversation and pushing for systemic change that addresses the root causes of inequity.
If you could make a $1 million gift to any organization, where would you direct your contributions and why?
If I could make a $1 million gift to any organization, I would direct it to the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF). In a time when bodily autonomy and reproductive healthcare are increasingly criminalized—disproportionately impacting people already facing systemic oppression—abortion funds are doing lifesaving, justice-centered work to ensure that people can access the care they need, regardless of political attacks, financial barriers, or geographic restrictions. NNAF provides direct financial and logistical support to regional abortion funds across the country, helping people navigating an unjust system while also fighting for a future where reproductive justice is a reality for all. They don’t just fund abortions—they fund freedom.
Where can someone find you when you’re not at work?
When I’m not at work, you can usually find me testing new recipes (and taking any excuse to explore a new grocery store), reading, or watching TV—probably something equal parts thought-provoking and binge-worthy. I love spending time with my cats, my husband, and my nieces, whether it’s a cozy night in, visiting a favorite restaurant, or treasure hunting at a thrift store. I also enjoy volunteering my writing skills across my communities.
Beyond that, I’m likely getting a new tattoo, trying to write a novel, losing hours in weird and wonderful bookstores (and inevitably buying way too many books), or messaging my best friends in Hawai’i and Slovenia—because distance is no match for friendships forged in the fire of grad school. I also love traveling with my husband whenever we get the chance. And when I’m not doing any of that, I’m probably daydreaming about moving back home to Oregon—because no matter where I am, the great Pacific Northwest is always calling.
What are you currently reading, or what do you recommend?
I am an avid reader who always has an eclectic mix of fiction and nonfiction books in my currently reading pile, ready for any and every mood. Current titles include Love, Anarchy, and Emma Goldman: A Biography by Candace Falk; Doppelganger by Noami Klein; The Humanity Archive by Jermaine Fowler; A Century of Song by Noah LeFevre; A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon; Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa; and Mutual Interest by Olivia Wolfgang-Smith.
My all-time favorite novels that I always recommend are (in no particular order) The Huntress by Kate Quinn; The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller; In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez; Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez; Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston; The Passage by Justin Cronin; and The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.
