One Year of COR Philanthropic Strategies

Written By Jaimi Cortes

This one is a bit longer, but it is a milestone I wanted to reflect on. If you are curious about what I have learned in my first year as a solopreneur and philanthropic advisor, I would love to share a few thoughts. I hope you will see yourself somewhere in it.

Today marks one year since I launched COR Philanthropic Strategies!

When I decided to take the leap, I had two intentions:
1️⃣ To help individuals and families bring clarity, confidence, and purpose to their giving.
2️⃣ To move more resources to the communities and organizations doing the hard work of change.

COR has grown through community, collaboration, and shared purpose. I feel grateful and proud of what we are building together.

🌱 What I Have Learned

This year reaffirmed how deeply people want their generosity to reflect who they are and what they care about most.

  • Philanthropy is personal, relational, and rooted in community.

  • When giving feels meaningful and strategic, people stay engaged and expand their impact.

  • Many donors feel overwhelmed, too busy or unsure where to begin, and my sweet spot is to help them get unstuck and move from intention to action.

  • Thoughtful philanthropy can be the glue to connect multi-generational families.

On a personal level:

  • Being a solopreneur requires resilience, humility, and continuous learning. It’s a “good hard” (like working out; not that I would know)!

  • Continue to be authentic and lead by your values - basically, be yourself

  • Having an accountability partner is key to keeping on track. My new friend and solopreneur, Shabi is the best.

  • Every founder needs an anthem that keeps them inspired and focused. Queen B all the way: “Break Your Soul” then to “Girls Run the World”!

 

✨ Highlights from Year One

(Posting for posterity and gratitude)

  • Recognized as an award-winning philanthropic advisor (DAF Giving Summitt)

  • Became a certified Impact Philanthropy Advisor and then invited to serve as faculty (thank you Dien Yuen for your vision)

  • Recorded my first podcast appearance with the wonderful Meg Bell

  • Launched my first in-person workshops on gratitude and giving - Sign Up!

  • Hired a local high school intern to start COR’s Instagram and celebrate everyday generosity

  • Featured in a magazine article

  • Conducted two client interviews on collaborative funds and impact investing, coming soon

  • Survived my first round of COVID, memorable but not recommended

🙏 My Gratitude

I have deep and boundless gratitude to my friends and colleagues who have offered advice, connections and encouragement as I launched this business. I could not have done it without my champions (I will thank you personally)

To clients: thank you for allowing me to be on this journey with you all.

To my partners & collaborators: I appreciate the trust in me to support your clients’ philanthropic goals.

And most importantly, to my husband Ken Cortes, for your belief in me and for keeping our family grounded as I build this new chapter.

🚀 What Is Next

Year two brings new energy:

  • Building partnerships with wealth advisors, estate planners, and CPAs to help clients give with clarity, intention, and joy

  • Launching a Women’s Philanthropy Series to elevate women’s leadership and community-centered approaches to giving

  • Expanding services to include 501(c)(4) giving for those who want to pair philanthropy with advocacy and policy impact

 

This has been so deeply personally and professionally rewarding. I am humbled by the privilege of being able to do what I love while staying present with my family. Thank you for being a part of COR Philanthropic Strategies.

Cheers to another year of purpose-driven giving. 💙

Warmly,

Jaimi

Jaimi Cortes