The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy recently completed a study on American attitudes and knowledge about philanthropy. The findings, in short: Americans have favorable impressions of charitable giving and nonprofits, but many are unfamiliar with the sector itself, including philanthropic institutions and the policies that govern and affect charitable giving.  

In this overview webinar, we shared:

• Findings related to trust in the nonprofit sector, concerns related to transparency, and the public's confidence about solving societal issues.
• The implications of the public’s unfamiliarity with philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, including how current debates may have broader effects on society.
• What funders should know and what they can do to build greater knowledge of the sector.

Learn more about the public perception of philanthropy and nonprofits and how this may impact the sector.

Also check out this blog on 3 things foundations might need to know from the report.

Speakers:

• Allison Grayson, Director of Policy Development and Analysis, Independent Sector
• Dr. Una Osili, Associate Dean for Research and International Programs, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Indiana University
• John Tyler, General Counsel, Secretary, and Chief Ethics Officer, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
• Kristen Scott Kennedy, Vice President, Strategy and Organizational Effectiveness and Chief of Staff, Council on Foundations

In Partnership With:

Join us for the April meeting of our Peer Learning Circle dedicated specifically to foundations working on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or are open to learning more about how the SDGs can fit within their work.

Guest Speaker

Caitlin Augustin, Ph.D.
Vice President, Product and Programs
DataKind

This month's guest speaker is Caitlin Augustin. Caitlin is responsible for delivering DataKind's core offerings, ensuring that high quality, impactful data science interventions are created in partnership with social sector leaders.  

Since the SDGs were created in 2015, Caitlin has led DataKind in executing over 400 projects that have centered on each of the 17 Goals.  Her finding is that each Goal is grounded in data and, therefore, AI and data science will vastly accelerate impact.  When we spoke with Caitlin, she said, “It’s crazy to think we can tackle the SDG’s greatest challenges with yesterday’s tools,” so she will be presenting DataKind’s Art-of-the-Possible through the lens of the SDGs.

Under Caitlin’s leadership, DataKind launched its flagship portfolio of work in frontline health systems, which has led to global partnerships and publications, and the release of a digital public good: the Data Observation Toolkit. She is also an advocate for open data and open data systems, and is a thought leader in making data available to government and policy actors working across social sectors in support of local communities across the United States and around the world. Caitlin holds a BSIE and a PhD from the University of Miami. She resides in Orlando with her husband and son.

Connect with foundation peers to learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The group meets monthly via Zoom to discuss SDG hot topics including education, local implementation, community alignment and communication, professional development, data, grantmaking, and more. This community is primarily focused on expanding the SDGs in the United States through community foundation action, but all nationalities are welcome.

By registering for this event, you agree to share some identifying information with the Central Florida Foundation, our partner for this event.

The Council on Foundations and the Center for Public Interest Communications have recently completed a scan of the dominant narratives around foundations. Our findings, in short: We need better stories and better language if we really want to lift up the positive impact of our work, push back against false narratives, and build trust.

In this overview webinar, we’ll share:

• Insights from social, behavioral and cognitive science that explain why some narratives can be harmful, despite our best intentions
• A set of research-based principles for storytelling that helps others understand the unique role the sector plays in building a better world. 
• A peek at our plans for message testing and other research - and how you can be involved.

Join us to learn more about how nonprofits and foundations can tell stories in authentic and compelling ways that show how change really happens.

Speakers:

• Nicole Bronzan, Vice President, Communications and Content, Council on Foundations
• Ann Searight Christiano, Founder and Director, Center for Public Interest Communications
• Aaron Zeiler, Director of Partner Strategies, Center for Public Interest Communications

In Partnership With:

Join us for the March meeting of our Peer Learning Circle dedicated specifically to foundations working on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or are open to learning more about how the SDGs can fit within their work.

Discussion Topic: This meeting will be an open roundtable discussion for peers to share their projects and work related to the SDGs. Please come prepared to listen, learn, and share your projects in this interactive conversation. 

Connect with foundation peers to learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The group meets monthly via Zoom to discuss SDG hot topics including education, local implementation, community alignment and communication, professional development, data, grantmaking, and more. This community is primarily focused on expanding the SDGs in the United States through community foundation action, but all nationalities are welcome.

By registering for this event, you agree to share some identifying information with the Central Florida Foundation, our partner for this event. 

Results are in from the 2022 State of Philanthropy Tech survey, conducted every two years by Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG). Join this interactive call to explore key findings and trends.  

This is the only comprehensive survey on the current state of technology in philanthropy including: 

• Prevalence of hybrid work enablement 
• The ongoing impact of social change on grantmaker support for grantees, staff turnover and retention 
• Technology budgeting, reporting structure, and staffing ratios 
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion practices amongst technology teams 
• Security breaches, protections, and practices 
• Trends in tool selection across the broad range of application areas 

Speakers:

Chantal Forester
Executive Director
Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG)

Tess Hanrahan
Senior IT Analyst
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
TAG Survey Committee Member

Wendy Torrance
Director, Strategic Initiatives and Partnership
Council on Foundations

Every day, more than 50 million Americans live in or near financial crisis, threatening to undercut a future of shared prosperity, greater opportunity, and increased equity. How can funders effectively address this pervasive issue?

In this webinar, we partner with Arabella Advisors to  surface advice from those with deep experience in efforts to address the wealth gap. We will ask them to share successes and lessons learned:

• What solutions can counteract the structures that have precluded far too many people from building economic power over centuries?
• What challenges and opportunities should inform our collective work?
• What role does philanthropy play in scaling solutions?

Speakers:

• Ida Rademacher, Vice President, Aspen Institute & Executive Director, Financial Security Program
• Lisa Mensah, President and CEO of Oregon Community Foundation (OCF)
• James Head, Former President and CEO, East Bay Community Foundation
• David John, Senior Strategic Policy Advisor at AARP, Former Senior Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation

In Partnership With:

Join us for the February meeting of our Peer Learning Circle dedicated specifically to foundations working on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or are open to learning more about how the SDGs can fit within their work.

Guest Speaker: Stefan Cibian, Ph.D., co-founder and executive director of the Făgăraș Research Institute

Connect with community foundation peers to learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The group meets monthly via Zoom to discuss SDG hot topics including education, local implementation, community alignment and communication, professional development, data, grantmaking, and more. This community is primarily focused on expanding the SDGs in the United States through community foundation action, but all nationalities are welcome.

By registering for this event, you agree to share some identifying information with the Central Florida Foundation, the partner for this event. 

To do our work well and uphold our promise to society, leaders in philanthropy must try to foster a sense of shared humanity, build common ground, and work collaboratively for the greater good. But how can we do that at a time of incredible division and mistrust? Join us for a conversation to discuss why it is so crucial for philanthropy to bridge differences and how we can build the skills and relationships necessary to do so. Facilitated by Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith, Senior Fellow at UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, this discussion will introduce specific tools and practices for bridging and feature a case study from the funders behind the New Pluralists, a funder collaborative committed to strengthening a culture of pluralism in America.  

Want to go deeper? Consider applying for the Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort! 

Speakers:

Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith
Senior Fellow
Greater Good Science Center

Jonathan Gruber
Strategy Lead, Building
Einhorn Collaborative

Rev. Branden Polk, MSW
Director Strategic Partnerships
Fellow, Free Speech and Peace, Stand Together

In Partnership With:

Executive leadership of the Council on Foundations and Hispanics in Philanthropy hosted this kick-off dialogue with foundation executives and senior staff with the U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona. Ulcca Joshi Hansen, Co-Interim Executive Director of Grantmakers for Education, moderated the discussion.

The Secretary shared the Department's priorities and strategic initiatives in 2023, with a special focus on priorities for LatinX students, as well as discussed the ongoing relationship the Department would like to have with philanthropy. 

Future conversations with Department senior program officials will follow in February and March on topics including, diversifying the teacher workforce, college and career pathways, learning acceleration, and early learning.

Speakers

Dr. Miguel Cardona
Secretary
U.S. Department of Education

Shital Shah
Senior Advisor for Strategic Partnerships
U.S. Department of Education

Dr. Ulcca Joshi Hansen
Co-Interim Executive Director
Grantmakers for Education

Ana Marie Argilagos
Member, Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics
President & CEO
Hispanics in Philanthropy

Kathleen Enright
President & CEO
Council on Foundations

Hosted in Partnership with

Join us for the January meeting of our Peer Learning Circle dedicated specifically for foundations working on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or are open to learning more about how the SDGs can fit within their work.

Guest Speaker: Alex Hiniker, Director of Sustainability Initiatives at Carnegie Mellon University, who is the architect of the Voluntary Local Review

Connect with community foundation peers to learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The group meets monthly via Zoom to discuss SDG hot topics including education, local implementation, community alignment and communication, professional development, data, grantmaking, and more. This community is primarily focused on expanding the SDGs in the United States through community foundation action, but all nationalities are welcome.

By registering for this event, you agree to share some identifying information with the Central Florida Foundation, the partner for this event.