OUr UpSpot Mission

In 2016, Sue Schwartzman and Elaine Gast Fawcett met in a coffee shop in Lafayette, California, to talk about a potential children’s book idea. Both had worked in philanthropy for decades–Sue as a former teacher and pioneer in developing curricula for youth philanthropy programs, and Elaine as a field-wide author, communication strategist, and advisor for family boards, family offices, and large and small foundations. 

In 2016, Sue Schwartzman and Elaine Gast Fawcett met in a coffee shop to talk about a potential children’s book idea. Both had worked in philanthropy for decades–Sue as a former teacher and pioneer in developing curricula for youth philanthropy programs, and Elaine as a field-wide author, communication strategist, and advisor for family boards, family offices, and large foundations. Together, our mission is to inspire families, and the advisors who serve them, to LIVE, GIVE, and CONNECT at the highest level. We provide thought-provoking books, tools, training, and content for advisors, family offices, and motivated family leaders–to get them talking and taking action for more meaningful connections, with each other and within their communities.

Both Elaine and Sue are certified 21/64 multigenerational trainers. Sue is a Certified Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) and Elaine is a certified Leadership Story Lab facilitator.

We are a content and facilitation firm that guides families to live, give, and connect at the highest level. We believe that when we innately know we are enough at our core, we are free to pursue the highest version of ourselves and use the gifts of our enough in this lifetime.

Parents of wealth worry about raising their kids around excess. They want to raise loving, compassionate, caring kids who are self-empowered in who they are, what they do, how much they have, and what they can give. 

We provide books, tools, discussion prompts, and trainings for advisors, family offices, and motivated family leaders with young people in their lives. Opening lines of communication with the rising generation around these often difficult topics can lead to healthy families, strong connections, and a developed sense of true self-worth. Let's get the conversation started.