The Council on Foundations proudly unveils an exciting new member benefit tailored for foundations of all types, DEI Peer Learning Circles. This engagement opportunity is designed to connect foundation staff of all levels across the country who are working to explore, design, implement, or refine their organization's diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Chaired by Celia Yapita, Community Leadership & Learning Director at the Albuquerque Community Foundation, the group will meet monthly or as the group decides.

In today's ever-evolving philanthropic landscape, our circles serve as more than just a platform for growth; they are a response to the urgent issues and DEI challenges unfolding in philanthropy and beyond. Through lively discussions, real-world case studies, and collaborative troubleshooting sessions, participants will gain invaluable insights, forge meaningful relationships, and acquire practical strategies and innovative approaches to drive DEI initiatives within their communities.

This will be a monthly series. While you're welcome to drop in for individual sessions, we encourage you to make this space your own by attending regularly.  

This circle will be our final one for 2024!

The Fearless Fund and Fearless Foundation announced a settlement with the American Alliance for Equal Rights and will end its grant program for Black female entrepreneurs, which AAER claimed was racially discriminatory in its suit, filed last August. The most recent ruling before the settlement, from the 11th Circuit appeals court, said that AAER had standing to sue and that the grant program was likely to violate Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1886 because it created a contractual relationship between Fearless Foundation and its grantees. 

Fearless says the settlement does not restrict any of its charitable activity outside of the grant contest. But what does it mean for foundations and other charitable organizations dedicated to supporting historically marginalized groups? Join the Council and Independent Sector to hear our advice and get your questions answered.

Elective Pay (also known as Direct Pay) was passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022. Eligible organizations can receive a tax credit for making clean energy investments. Kristin Tracz walks us through how community foundations and their grantees can take advantage of this program for building clean energy projects.

State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) were allocated to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments under the American Rescue Plan Act to support their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. These funds can be invested in local charitable nonprofits, yet with a deadline of December 31, 2024, billions of unspent dollars may have to be returned to the federal government. David L. Thompson and Jessica Mendieta from the National Council of Nonprofits share time-tested steps foundations, and their nonprofit partners can take today to advocate for how our communities can access those remaining dollars before it is too late.

During this session, participants will engage in a Q&A discussion with Council on Foundations Director of Legal Resources Ben McDearmon, Staff Counsel Remy Barnwell, and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Yoo-Jin Kang, to address DEI and legal questions in the wake of the Fearless Foundation ruling and more. Registrants will have an opportunity to share top questions/concerns for legal review prior to the session.

This roundtable will explore how to reimagine and redistribute power within philanthropic organizations to foster more equitable decision-making processes. Operationalizing DEI requires a fundamental shift in how power is held and shared, ensuring that diverse voices are included in shaping organizational direction and impact.

This session addresses the critical role of self and community care in sustaining DEI work. By prioritizing the well-being of practitioners, we create a foundation for resilience and long-term engagement. Operationalizing DEI begins with ensuring that those leading these efforts are equipped to manage resistance and avoid burnout, thereby maintaining the momentum needed to drive systemic change. 

In January the 119th Congress will be sworn in and take on the work of choosing leadership for the House and Senate, as well as for each of the 40+ Committees that make up Congress. Join this webinar to learn about the dynamics of the new Congress and how we expect the shifting policy environment to impact philanthropy. Plus, we’ll discuss the upcoming 2025 tax bill and let you know how you can act to ensure philanthropy’s priorities are included.