Peter Ellsworth is a longtime San Diegan, civic leader, and founding force in modern philanthropy. From his early days in law and healthcare to his visionary role at the helm of the Legler Benbough Foundation, Peter has lived a life steeped in service, humility, and quiet transformation. A member of the Prebys Foundation Board, he remains a guiding voice for how philanthropy can—and must—listen first.
This Episode:
What happens when a foundation listens before it leads?
Grant and Peter explore the evolution of philanthropy in San Diego and how Peter helped pioneer a relationship-driven, trust-based approach to giving. They discuss the opportunities of working in hyperlocal neighborhoods, the importance of humility in leadership, and why building genuine partnerships with community leaders creates lasting impact. From Southeast San Diego to Balboa Park, Peter’s story is a reminder that the best ideas come from the ground up.
Along the way, Peter shares personal reflections, including his father’s lasting advice: It’s not about you.
Key Moments:
[11:22] Peter's start in Philanthropy and why he did things differently
[13:31] The four words that shaped Peter’s leadership: “It’s not about me”
[23:24]The radical idea of trust-based philanthropy
[30:35] The teen center that designed by what teens actually wanted
[5:50] What San Diego needs to realize its boldest ideas
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
- Legler Benbough Foundation – A now-spent-down foundation that helped reshape civic life in San Diego through trust-based, community-rooted philanthropy
- Outdoor Outreach – Empowering young people through outdoor experiences and leadership development
- Forever Balboa Park – Supporting the preservation and enhancement of Balboa Park
Take Action:
- Practice Trust-Based Philanthropy – Start by building authentic relationships, not just reviewing proposals
- Listen to Community First – Let the people closest to the work guide the solutions
- Rethink Power in Philanthropy – As Peter reminds us, “Every good idea we came up with...came from somebody I had a relationship with"
- Support Local Leadership – Invest in the people and organizations already making a difference
Credits:
This is a production of the Prebys Foundation
Hosted by Grant Oliphant
Co-Hosted by Crystal Page
Co-produced by Crystal Page and Adam Greenfield
Engineered by Adam Greenfield
Production Coordination by Tess Karesky
Video Production by Edgar Ontiveros Medina
The Stop & Talk theme song was created by San Diego’s own Mr. Lyrical Groove.
Download episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.org
Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team