The future of the philanthropy field is contingent on new practitioners learning and excelling in the field. The Forum is committed to being a source of knowledge and guidance for new philanthropy-serving organization (PSO) professionals through our newest network – Emerging Practitioners Peer Community. If you have resources to share, please share them online or by emailing Brandon Iracks-Edelin.
Emerging Practitioners Peer Community
The Emerging Practitioners Peer Community is designed for those with less than five years of experience in the philanthropy field.
- Emerging Practitioners Listserv (emergingpractitioners@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 Lead: Maggie Osborn (202-386-6426) and Brandon Iracks-Edelin (202-991-5217)
Co-Chairs
Eden Butler, Administrative and Events Coordinator Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group
Eden is adept at wearing a variety of hats and has spent the last 20 years providing operational support, creative content, information management, client services, editorial guidance, and event planning assistance for a variety of large and small organizations. She has a devotion to community building whether within the workplace, among members, or online.
Before joining AGAG Eden served as Business and Communications Manager at FJY Financial, where she planned and executed educational events, managed the website, social media, and quarterly newsletter, and provided operational, creative, and moral support to both colleagues and clients. She also managed a freelance business, Happy Creek Communications, where she helped companies and individuals find their voice and tell their story in a way that engages an audience on a personal level.
Eden spent the spring of 2015 traveling around the US on a 67-day cross-country campervan journey with her rescue mutt Annie, while documenting it all for posterity on her blog TravelsWithAnnie.com.
Olivia Henry, Council of Michigan Foundations
Olivia is a Detroit native and graduate of Grand Valley State University. She is currently a Program Coordinator at the Council of Michigan Foundations. At CMF she works with youth programs, affinity groups, and constituencies. Olivia formerly worked at the Detroit Food Policy Council, where she led the Council’s youth programming and social media networks. In addition to her professional work Olivia is a longtime volunteer with the Michigan Youth Workers Association and is on the Executive Board of Mission 31 Incorporated. Olivia loves volunteering, advocacy, and has a special place in her heart for youth work.