About
Josephine Roberts, Principal Advisor
After immigrating from the Philippines, my family settled in a small town on the shores of Lake Charlevoix, where I experienced the transformative power of the outdoors and community in shaping new beginnings. These early lessons in resilience and connection taught me the values of perseverance, collaboration, and resourcefulness—principles that would later become the foundation of my career in philanthropy.
From leading initiatives in Detroit's nonprofit sector to stewarding conservation efforts across Northern Michigan and directing philanthropic investments in global environmental programs, I've guided donors through increasingly complex challenges. Whether launching urban youth sailing programs, preserving critical watersheds, or advancing international conservation efforts, I discovered my strength in helping passionate people navigate the intricate landscape of strategic giving.
Like a tugboat—small but mighty— with determination and heart, small and intentional actions can lead to transformational change.
This philosophy became the foundation for Tugboat Philanthropy, where we help donors chart their course through the social impact space, translating their values into meaningful impact. Our approach combines careful navigation with bold vision, ensuring each philanthropic investment creates lasting legacies that uplift communities and build a better world.
Our Team
Tugboat Philanthropy operates with a focused core team supported by a carefully curated network of experts and partners. Our core team maintains high-touch relationships with clients while ensuring consistent quality and strategic alignment across all engagements.
For specialized projects and unique client needs, we activate our extensive network of subject matter experts, technical specialists, and implementation partners. This includes environmental experts for climate initiatives, family dynamics facilitators for next-generation programs, impact measurement specialists for evaluation frameworks, and ESG integration consultants for corporate programs. We thoughtfully match experts to specific project requirements, bringing in precisely the right expertise at the right time. This flexible model allows us to scale our capabilities while maintaining lean operations and ensuring clients benefit from best-in-class expertise across various domains.
Our strategic partnerships with legal firms, community foundations, wealth management advisors, and nonprofit organizations further our ability to deliver comprehensive solutions. We've cultivated these relationships over years of collaboration, allowing us to assemble optimal teams for each client's unique needs. This networked approach means we can remain nimble and responsive while accessing deep expertise across the philanthropic landscape, ultimately helping our clients achieve greater impact in their giving.