About Kris
Create a strategy. Achieve impact. Leave a legacy. Have fun.
Kris Putnam-Walkerly
For over 25 years, top global philanthropies, ultra-high net worth donors, celebrity activists, foundations, wealth advisors, and Fortune 500 companies have sought Kris Putnam-Walkerly’s philanthropic advisory services to dramatically increase the clarity, speed, impact and joy of their giving.
As a sought after philanthropy advisor, expert and award-winning author, she’s helped hundreds of foundations and philanthropists strategically allocate and assess over half a billion dollars in grants and gifts.
Kris also contributes expert philanthropic commentary to the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Bloomberg, Forbes, Variety, Thrive Global, Worth Magazine, and other media. She was recently featured on NPR’s Marketplace Morning Report, and she co-edited The Foundation Review’s themed journal on philanthropy consulting. Kris is the author of her second book, Delusional Altruism: Why Philanthropists Fail to Achieve Change and What They Can Do To Transform Giving (Wiley 2020).
As featured in
Kris is a thought leader in Transformational Giving®. Kris was named one of America’s Top 25 Philanthropy Speakers.
She is the author of the award-winning book Confident Giving®: Sage Advice for Funders and her forthcoming book, Delusional Altruism®.
- A Forbes.com contributor on philanthropy
- A global content partner to Alliance Magazine
- The US philanthropy expert to the leading Dutch philanthropy media outlet De Dikke Blauwe
Kris is also a frequent contributor in publications for leading philanthropy organizations such as:
- The National Center on Family Philanthropy
- Exponent Philanthropy
- Southeastern Council on Foundations
- Candid (formerly Foundation Center)
- PEAK Grantmaking
- Giving Northern Ireland
"Giving money away isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t have to be hard and it should definitely bring you joy."
Kris Putnam-Walkerly
"Kris Putnam-Walkerly offers insightful observations of the typical misunderstandings that donors and foundations have when they give, as well as useful tools for philanthropists to reflect upon their mindsets and actions."
Yanni Peng
CEO, Narada Foundation and Chair, China Social Enterprise and Impact Investment Forum
Global Leader
Kris Putnam-Walkerly advises philanthropists across the globe. She’s a global content partner to Alliance Magazine, the premier global philanthropy magazine, and was selected as the US philanthropy expert to the leading Dutch philanthropy media outlet, De Dikke Blauwe.
Additionally, in 2017 Kris was inducted into the Million Dollar Consulting® Hall of Fame, one of only 75 consultants worldwide who are recognized for outstanding accomplishments and are regarded by their peers as global leaders in consulting.
Make an Introduction
Kris loves connecting with new clients and partners in the world of philanthropy. Her business thrives on trusted relationships and referrals by her colleagues. Should you wish to introduce her to someone in your sphere, she would be happy to connect with them. If you’re interested in receiving a referral incentive for your introduction, you can read about the referral program here.