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Living Your Legacy

your strategic partner in amplifying the impact of your charitable giving.

About Us

Maximize the Impact of Your Giving

Westside Philanthropy Group (WPG) is your partner in maximizing the impact of your charitable giving as you live your legacy. We serve as a strategic partner, guiding you through philanthropic goals—whether it’s establishing or sunsetting a foundation, refining your vision, or succession planning—to create lasting and meaningful change.

Our approach bridges your mission with effective action. We represent your interests with grantees and collaborate closely with wealth management and estate planning experts. From educating future generations to optimizing grant processes and impact reporting, we simplify complexities so you can focus on the joy of giving and what matters most: making a difference.

Connection to Community

more than

1.8Million U.S. Nonprofits

REPRESENTING

$3.7Trillion Annual Revenue

Our Approach

The Westside Way

Building a legacy of impact through strategic vision, focused leadership, and tailored solutions that integrate your goals into a community of lasting change.

01

Philanthropic Vision, Focus, Leadership and Strategic Plan

Legacy Craftsmanship: Strategic planning with
expertly designed enduring legacies that resonate
across generations.

Mission and Vision Synergy: Harmonizing
philanthropic endeavors with the overarching
mission and vision to ensure cohesive impact.

Tailored Philanthropic Architectures: Fine-tuning
passion areas to align with strategic objectives and
unique donor aspirations and capacities.

Bold Goals for Transformative Impact: Setting
visionary targets to drive profound sustainable
change and reflect personal and familial values for
lasting significance and desired social and
environmental impact.

Grantmaking Excellence: Engineering a precise and
strategic approach. Establishing processes with
Core Giving Pillars to serve as the bedrock for all
philanthropic priorities.

02

Organizational Structure Development and Management

Vivid Conceptualization and Implementation:
Designing your Family Foundation’s Operational
Structure and Board oversight.

Precision Grant Administration: Developing and
managing the lifecycle of grants, from application to
impact assessment.

Rigorous Due Diligence and Grantee Vetting:
Conducting comprehensive assessments to ensure
grantee capacity and alignment with philanthropic
goals.

Seamless Support Services: Serving as your
designated agent with grantees. Providing
unparalleled, ongoing support to ensure the smooth
operation of all philanthropic activities.

White Label Solutions: Delivering services under your
brand, maintaining the integrity and consistency of
your philanthropic priorities.

03

Impact: Measuring and Reporting

Sophisticated Impact Metrics Development: Establishing advanced metrics to quantify and articulate the success and impact of your charitable mission and its transformational influence across people and planet within and around your personal passion goals and global Sustainable Development
Goals.

Comprehensive Grant Reporting: Providing in-depth data reports and documentation that detail Grantee efficacy and the management and deployment of grant funds.

Data-Driven Strategic Insights: Offering actionable
recommendations derived from rigorous data analysis capturing the results and wider implications to optimize future endeavors and elevate the effectiveness and reach of your philanthropy.

04

Brand Conception and Digital Strategy

Strategic Brand Development and Execution: Curating and executing a compelling brand strategy encapsulating your philanthropic vision and mission.

Public Relations Partner: Developing a comprehensive PR strategy to tell your story of giving and transformational change to the world.

Innovative Web Presence Design and Management: Creating and managing a digital presence that enhances visibility, awareness,
and engagement with your philanthropic priorities.

Integrated Social Media Strategy: Implementing a cohesive social media approach that amplifies your family’s legacy and philanthropic brand’s voice across platforms.

Advanced SEO Strategies: Enhancing your online presence through sophisticated search engine optimization techniques.

High-Impact Content Creation: Producing mission-driven content—newsletters, articles, and more—that effectively communicates your charitable mission and achievements.

05

Social Impact and Community Engagement

Navigate Philanthropic Landscape: We are the
premier conduit to vibrant social and philanthropic
ecosystems. Connecting you with influential leaders,
organizations, and opportunities aligning with your
philanthropic vision ensures you are a vital part of an
influential network.

Curated Engagement Blueprint: We design plans for
meaningful community integration matching your
giving themes and your desired level of involvement
within the social fabric of impactful communities.

Your Strategic Partners

With over 70 years of combined experience, we’ve guided more than $4 billion in philanthropy for high-net-worth families and nonprofits.

George Corton

Founding Principal

BIO

Laura Padron

Founding Principal

BIO

Shivani Joshi

Senior Advisor

BIO

George Corton

Founding Principal

Mr. Corton is the Founding Principal at Westside Philanthropy Group and Principal at Westside Capital Group where he spearheads business development, investor relations, and strategic growth initiatives. Over his 20-year career, he has been instrumental in raising over $2 billion in capital.

Before joining Westside, Corton served as Chief Development Officer at Florida International University (FIU), where he led a team to achieve record-breaking fundraising totals, including over $114 million in the fiscal year 2020-2021, as part of a $750 million campaign. He secured FIU’s largest alumni gift and helped establish CasaCuba, a cultural heritage center. Corton also held leadership roles at the University of Miami, where he contributed to the $1.6 billion Momentum Campaign and helped expand the School of Business’s reach internationally.

Born to Cuban immigrants in New Jersey and raised in Orlando, Corton earned both his bachelor’s degree and MBA from FIU. He co-founded the FIU Foundation Office of Inclusive Philanthropy and serves on several advisory boards, including Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education and the FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism. He is also a member of the Moss Foundation Advisory Board in Fort Lauderdale, a top-ranked corporate giving organization in South Florida and the President of the Hejl Family Foundation. Corton’s career reflects a deep commitment to philanthropy, education, and community development.

Laura Padron

Founding Principal

Laura Padron is a distinguished leader in philanthropy, boasting over three decades of experience in fundraising, grant making, board development, strategic planning, and organizational leadership. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President for Advancement at the University of Connecticut Foundation in support of the $1.5 billion “Because of UConn” campaign, achieving record-breaking successes, including the largest alumni gift in university history. Before her tenure at UConn, Laura held key positions at other distinguished institutions, including Associate Vice President at the Florida International University Foundation, where she exceeded the $750 million Next Horizon Campaign goal, and Assistant Dean for Development at the University of Miami School of Business, leading the school’s role in the $1.6 billion university campaign.

Prior to academia, Laura directed national programs at the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, including the prestigious Presidential Scholars in the Arts, White House Commission partnership and YoungArts program.

Laura’s innovative leadership and strategic vision have earned her numerous accolades, such as the 2021 Global Forum for Education and Learning Top 100 Visionaries in Education Award, as well as multiple CASE Gold and Platinum Awards. Laura is an active member of various professional organizations and frequently shares her expertise through speaking engagements and mentorship programs, continuing to inspire the next generation of philanthropic leaders. Her contributions to the field of advancement are widely acknowledged, positioning her as a respected voice in higher education philanthropy.

Beyond her professional achievements, Laura is passionate about causes that impact the lives of children and animals, reflecting her holistic approach to transformational change across sectors. Laura is an alumna of Florida State University and Delta Delta Delta sorority and is a former Board member and President-elect of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Miami.

Laura is a native South Floridian and has residencies in Miami, Florida and Norwalk, Connecticut.

Shivani Joshi

Senior Advisor

Shivani Joshi is an accomplished executive with over 18 years of experience in philanthropy, partnerships, business development, and higher education. Currently, she is the Chief Advancement Officer at Gulliver Prep, where she drives strategic initiatives to advance the institution’s goals. Previously, Shivani spent 12 years at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, where she held various leadership roles. As Interim AVP at the FIU Foundation, she secured major gifts of $1 million and above, led fundraising efforts across 11 colleges, and developed a principal gift program. Her work with the South Beach Wine and Food Festival further enhanced donor engagement. As Senior Executive Director of Global Philanthropy and Partnerships, Shivani exceeded a $50 million goal by raising $65 million for the Next Horizon Capital Campaign and established departments for alumni giving, corporate giving, and stewardship, earning CASE Gold and Silver awards.

Shivani’s global impact includes forging partnerships with organizations like Bacardi and Marriott International, and expanding international collaborations in regions such as the Caribbean, South/Central America, and Europe. She also developed a global fundraising platform and led COVID- 19 Relief Fund efforts, raising over $2.5 million in three months.

Her previous roles include positions at the University of Miami School of Business and the American Cancer Society, where she developed corporate partnerships and managed high-profile events. Shivani holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Miami and has continued her professional development through Leadership Miami and the Prosper Accelerator. She has also contributed to the Gulliver Preparatory School Development Committee.