Many funders rely on feedback from grantees to improve their grantmaking, but hesitate to go right to the source and listen to the people at the heart of their work. It can be daunting to listen directly to communities, but it’s an essential part of responsible stewardship and equitable strategies…

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation, designed for organizational leaders and foundation investment professionals, that challenges the conventional philanthropic dialogue on grantmaking. Rather than focusing solely on the 5% spending debate, we will discuss the often overlooked 95% of funds…

Rural and urban communities need each other. But while their interdependence plays out in their economies, cultures, and environments, prevailing narratives center on differences and divides. Meanwhile, rural communities account for close to 20 percent of the population, but they receive only 7…

The journey beyond toxic polarization and record levels of mistrust begins when we reknit the fabric of our civic lives: our places, our institutions, and, most importantly, our relationships. A critical first step is to take responsibility for harm and actively work to repair the ties that have…

Hosted by Community Foundation Opportunity Network (CFON) Join us for an opportunity to examine and gain a deeper understanding of the internal systems change needed for community foundations (and other grantmaking organizations) to authentically engage in external systems change and equity work.…

How do community foundations engage people across expansive geographies to support local communities and yet achieve economies of scale to maximize the impact their work? This session will explore various models of community foundations attempting to do this work-- from the traditional affiliate…

In this session, development professionals will share a key idea through a short visual presentation meant to inspire (20 slides in six minutes). This session aims to change the traditional 'pedestrian' panel discussion and make it energetic and fast-paced, with a bit of networking and sharing…

A few years ago, U.S. Bank started working on place-based investment programs. To help build out the strategy of the programs, USB partnered with the community to create design sessions that were community-led and community-focused. U.S. Bank learned a lot through this process about how to center…

On December 30, 2021, the Marshall Fire burned over 1,000 homes in Boulder County, CO. As Boulder County’s trusted philanthropic partner for over 30 years, The Community Foundation Boulder County (CFBC) quickly opened a disaster fund, raising over $43 million. CFBC’s trauma-informed, people-first…

How are community and place-based funders partnering with communities to build resilience?  With a commitment to righting past wrongs, responding to crises, and preparing for future challenges.  Join us as we celebrate this year’s HUD Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic…

Last year, the Chronicle of Philanthropy launched a new project, called the Commons, that examines how the charitable sector can bring Americans together in a time of hyperpolarization. The Commons explores efforts to bridge divides through reporting, opinion, essays, resources, tools, and more. In…

Rural America is diverse, and understanding the needs and assets of communities at a granular level is important. Bring your lived and learned experience, share your personal passion for rural funding, and discuss with other funders how philanthropy can better support rural communities. This…

The speed and complexity of change are increasing exponentially. While top-down leadership may have been effective in the past, today we need to co-create our future by unlocking the collective power of our teams and communities. In this interactive workshop, foundation executives will unpack the…

This session focuses on how foundations can responsibly adopt AI while upholding ethical standards like equity, transparency, and explainability. Designed for foundation leaders, CIOs, program officers, and strategy directors, this dynamic session will provide practical guidance on navigating AI -…

This session will highlight different communities where local foundations have effectively partnered with their municipal leaders in a specific area, leading to demonstrative outcomes. Community foundations and foundations with a civic focus will leave with learnings and a leadership model that…

This interactive peer-led session is designed to be a collaborative space for DEI practitioners to collectively brainstorm, strategize, and problem-solve around the evolving challenges and opportunities in philanthropy and nonprofit work. Rather than a panel or traditional discussion, this session…