Each philanthropy-serving organization (PSO), depending on its size, scope of its membership, and needs of its constituents, has something unique to offer to the field of philanthropy. The ability to share this information and these experiences with colleagues is one of the Forum's top priorities. Resources for PSOs in this area are easily accessible on this page including resources around social media, working with the media, and marketing and branding. If you have resources to share, please share them online or by emailing Courtney Moore.
Communications Peer Community
The Communications Peer Community is for those with a communications role at a PSO. Topics for discussion may include newsletter, social media strategy, website and other content curation, writing op-eds, etc.
- Communications Listserv (communicationsstaff@lists.unitedphilforum.org)- You must be a member of the Forum & this Peer Community to post to this list.
- Three round-robin calls per year
- In-person meeting at Forum’s Annual Conference
Interested in joining this Peer Community? Submit your email address on the form at the bottom of the Our Networks page.
Forum Staff Leads: Courtney Moore, (202-888-7428), courtney@unitedphilforum.org and Brandon Iracks-Edelin, (202-991-5217), brandon@unitedphilforum.org
Co-Chairs
David Miller, Southeastern Council of Foundations
David Miller is the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Southeastern Council of Foundations. He is focused on driving member engagement with SECF’s events and programming while also promoting SECF’s work cultivating philanthropic organizations and leaders throughout the Southeast. David also manages SECF’s print and online publications.
David came to SECF in 2015 with extensive experience as a writer and editor. He oversaw print and online publications as Communications Director for the Illinois council of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and also served as Media Outreach Manager at the headquarters of the Laborers’ International Union of America in Washington. During his time in Washington, David also promoted events and publications for National Journal Group.
David began his career as a political journalist, writing and editing for Congressional Quarterly and CBS News. His interest in politics also led him to work as a researcher for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.
Malavika Sahai, Environmental Grantmakers Association
Malavika Sahai is the Communications Program Manager at EGA. In her role, she connects EGA's community through in-person signature events, communications, and new tools and research for boosting collective learning and knowledge. She also streamlines communications across the organization, using technology to implement new strategic approaches to engage EGA membership with the organization's website, programs, and communications. Malavika is originally from Virginia, and is currently residing in New York City. Outside of work she enjoys strolling around Manhattan with her greyhound Remy, playing bassoon, and visiting local greenmarkets.
Lissa Silotto, Indiana Philanthropy Alliance
Lissa oversees IPA’s communications and marketing strategy. In this role, she is a skilled communications jack-of-all-trades—maintaining IPA’s website and CRM integration, managing IPA's brand and outreach efforts, and overseeing IPA's digital communication strategy. Lissa currently serves as a member of United Philanthropy Forum’s Knowledge Management Collaborative, which unites philanthropy supporting organizations across the country in an effort to improve a shared CRM and website technology platform based on Salesforce and Drupal. She is also the Forum's Communications Peer Community Co-Chair and on the Forum's 2020 conference planning committee held in Seattle.
Lissa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History with Studio Art minor from Indiana University Bloomington. While achieving her degree, Lissa served as president of Golden Key International Honor Society, public relations assistant to the Eskenazi Museum of Art, and collections curator for IU Mathers Museum of World Cultures.which seeks to racially diversify the classical music profession.