Monique Rao
Manager, Capital
Monique is driven to make a positive social and environmental impact through a data and results-oriented lens. Her commitment to equity and trust-based philanthropy informs all her efforts. These values guide her work at Echoing Green managing the due diligence and screening processes for our Fellowship applications and Follow-On Funding.
Monique has been in the social impact space for over a decade in various ways, including consulting, strategy, research, and facilitation. She’s spent the past five years in philanthropy developing her grantmaking skills, managing multi-million dollar portfolios and leveraging her background in research and evaluation to drive impact. Prior to Echoing Green she was at San Francisco Foundation where she applied trust-based philanthropy approaches. For example, she carried out qualitative and quantitative analysis for their grantee check-in initiative, which replaced traditional funder mandated reporting, easing the administrative burden for grantees.
Monique began her journey in grantmaking at the Erik E. and Edith H. Bergstrom Foundation where she managed sexual and reproductive health projects across Latin America and East Africa. This was followed by her time at ClimateWorks Foundation where she managed the grantmaking processes including budget allocation for the Sustainable Finance Program. At both foundations, she gained a deep understanding of the sexual reproductive health and climate mitigation philanthropic landscapes and ecosystems.
Monique holds an MA in International Policy and Development from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey where she spent her last semester off campus interning with UNICEF Cambodia in the Evaluation Section. She received her BA from California State University, Chico in Political Science, with a minor in Ethics. Monique is passionate about cooking, food, wine, and checking out new restaurants and bars. She also enjoys taking advantage of hiking the scenic bay area landscapes or hanging out at one of San Francisco’s many beautiful parks in her free time.
