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2018 Forum Annual Conference

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2018 Forum Annual Conference - July 16-18 in Boston, MA

The Forum’s 2018 Annual Conference was the nation’s largest gathering of regional and national philanthropy-serving organizations.

#ForumCon18 was our best conference yet! While it was the largest Forum conference with more than 300 attendees and a record-breaking $146,000 in sponsorships, the real success of the conference may be measured in the conversations, community and courage that it generated.

The creation of the REAL lounge and studio helped support a continued and deep focus on the theme of racial equity, diversity and inclusion. REAL stands for racial equity and love and it elevated the difficult conversations and work of racial equity based in philanthropy’s love for mankind but also the love of colleagues within the Forum network. We captured 37 conversations on video in the REAL studio that will be used to keep the conversation, learning and action around racial equity happening throughout the year and beyond.

Other conference themes included building and maintaining partnerships and collaboration as well as a focus on skill building. Powerful messages were delivered by many including a phenomenal opening keynote by artist Titus Kaphar; an annual meeting message of courageous philanthropy from Grant Oliphant; and a closing plenary about narratives we tell about immigrants, black people and native communities by Cristina Jimenez, Michael McAfee and Sarah Eagle Heart connected beautifully by composer and violinist Shaw Pong Liu. Our other plenaries featured the amazing thought leadership of Ibram Kendi, Elizabeth Hinton and Richard Rothstein followed by deeper conversations with each speaker and a session that elevated the voices of infrastructure leadership in the field with Dan Cardinali, Carly Hare, and Donna Murrary-Brown. We captured the majority of these on video and will release them in the coming month.

Pre-conference sessions supported the work of CEOs coming together as well as emerging practitioners and for the first-time mid-level practitioners. We also piloted a workshop for PSO board members focusing on their unique roles. Fifteen of the concurrent sessions focused on skills building for both professional and personal strengths and included the gathering of peer communities.

Conference Resources

  • Don't miss the materials from the sessions including powerpoint slides, handouts and suggestions for further reading on the Resources tab. Click on "+Details" to see a session's description, speakers and available resources or click "+Expand All Details" at the top for all sessions.
  • See who attended by accessing the online event roster. Remember to update your profile with a picture and up-to-date contact information. You must be logged into the site as an attendee of the conference or a member of the Forum to access the event roster.
  • Still to come: photo highlights, twitter highlights and videos of many of our plenary speakers.

Planning Committee


This year's conference wouldn't be possible without the leadership and contributions of our planning committee:

  • John Barnes, Funders Concerned About AIDS
  • Kristen Cambell, Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE)
  • Vanessa Castro, Philanthropy New York
  • Deborah Ellwood, CFLeads
  • Karla Fortunato, Connecticut Council for Philanthropy 
  • Biz Ghormley, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP)
  • Paul Kim, Philanthropy Northwest
  • Tuly Martinez, Southern California Grantmakers
  • Grace Nicolette, The Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP)
  • Jennifer Olney, Funders Together to End Homelessness
  • Kathy Sessions, Health and Environmental Funders Network
  • Elizabeth Whittaker-Walker, Council of Michigan Foundations
Questions about the event?

Please contact Mishka Parkins (202-457-8784) with any questions about the conference program. 

Sunday, July 15, 2018

1:30 - 5:30 pm
Pre-Conference Outing: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum (Pre-registration is required)
Details

220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is dedicated to the memory of our nation's 35th president and to all those who, through the art of politics, seek a new and better world. Located on a 10-acre park overlooking the sea that Kennedy loved and the city that launched him to greatness, the Library stands as a vibrant tribute to the life and times of John F. Kennedy. Come tour the Museum, which portrays the life, leadership, and legacy of President Kennedy, conveys his enthusiasm for politics and public service, and illustrates the nature of the office of the president. Join your colleagues for a pre-conference small self-guided group tour and experience a piece of our recent history while in Boston.

Note: A curator-guided tour of the Library and Museum is being offered on Wednesday afternoon following the close of the conference.

Cost: $35 (includes admission to museum and shuttle transportation to/from the library). Advance registration is required and is limited to 25 guests. 

2:30 - 6:00 pm
Registration Open
Details

4th Floor Foyer near Grand Ballroom

Come pick up your name badge, program and other conference materials at the registration desk.

3:00 - 5:00 pm
CEO Hub
Details

Nantucket (3rd Floor)

If you’re arriving early to Boston, join your CEO colleagues for an informal facilitated conversation about what’s keeping you up at night and what you’d like to chat about with your colleagues. This will also be a time to catch up with your peers prior to the start of the conference.

5:00 - 6:00 pm
First Timer Welcome Reception
Details

Grand Ballroom Terrace (weather permitting) or Adrienne Salon (4th Floor)

Is this your first time at a Forum conference? Please join us for this special reception for YOU. It’s a great opportunity to connect with the Forum’s board, staff, members, and conference planning committee members, who will all be on hand to ensure you have a great conference experience. All conference attendees are welcome.

6:00 - 9:00 pm
CEO Reception and Dinner (Sponsored by Equity in the Center)
Details

Explorateur (186 Tremont Street)

All chief executives (presidents, CEOs, executive directors, etc.) are invited to attend this pre-conference social reception and dinner to connect with your peers in a fun, casual setting. The reception and dinner is included with your CEO Summit registration.

6:30 pm
Casual Dinner for Conference Attendees
Details

Jacob Wirth (31-37 Stuart Street)

Will you be in town early for the conference? Join us at a local Boston restaurant to start your Forum conference experience off the best way possible—with food and your colleagues in a relaxing atmosphere. This dinner is not included in your registration fee. Please meet in the hotel lobby at 6:20 pm or at the restaurant at 6:30 pm.

 

Monday, July 16, 2018

6:30 - 7:30 am
Morning Exercise
Details
  • Hotel exercise classes are available. See the concierge for the daily schedule.
  • Join the local runners club to get yourself moving with a city run. Runners will depart from hotel lobby at 6:30 am.
7:30 am
Registration Open
Details

4th Floor Foyer near Grand Ballroom

Come pick up your name badge, program and other conference materials at the registration desk.

8:00 am - 12:00 pm
CEO Summit: Part I
Details

Nantucket (3rd Floor)

The CEO Summit is a rare opportunity for the chief executives of regional and national PSOs to come together with your peers for in-depth learning, sharing and reflection. The Summit will feature a number of engaging and interactive elements, including Micro-Talks on critical issues, Hot Topics Discussions and Peer Consults on leadership dilemmas.

Facilitators: Dawn Chirwa, Senior Advisor, The Giving Practice; and Sindhu Knotz, Partner, The Giving Practice

9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Mid-Level Practitioners Conversation – NEW in 2018! (Pre-registration is required)
Details

Cape Cod (3rd Floor)

This session will provide tools and ideas for mid-level leaders who are required to manage up, down and out every day. We will talk about the range of roles you are called on to hold, introduce some reflective practices to help you navigate challenges in your work, and dig into professional dilemmas with the help of your peers. Bring your experiences, your successes, your struggles, and your sense of humor!

Facilitators: Audrey Haberman, Managing Partner, The Giving Practice; Mark Sedway, Senior Partner, The Giving Practice

Emerging Practitioners Conversation (Pre-registration is required)
Presented in Partnership with Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP)
Details

Martha's Vineyard A (3rd Floor)

Are you new to the philanthropy field? Join your colleagues to kick off the conference with the Emerging Practitioners Conversation—with the theme “Building Your Leadership Story” —for a facilitated conversation on how to be a leader no matter your level in the organization or your current role. Please note that on Wednesday morning of the conference there will also be a session for Emerging Practitioners to share some of their insights from this pre-conference session with CEOs.

Facilitators: Kalisha Bass, Director of Member Engagement and Operations, Arizona Grantmakers Forum; Biz Ghormley, Director of Operations and Member Services, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy; Storme Gray, Director of Programs, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy

12:00 - 12:15 pm
Transition
12:15 - 2:00 pm
Conference Opening Luncheon: Making Space for Black History- Amending the Landscape of American Art
Keynote Speaker: Titus Kaphar, artist
Details

Grand Ballroom (4th Floor)

If art is a language that speaks, what is it saying? In statue form, Roosevelt rides a horse and boldly stares into the future; meanwhile, nameless African American and Indigenous people walk on foot beside him. Statues of confederate soldiers loom over our civic institutions—our libraries and schools and offices—without context or apology. Who are the anonymous slaves, servants, and laborers appearing as footnotes in portraits of our Founding Fathers? What values are being expressed by the constitutional monuments dotting the American landscape? And why do we skip over chapters—entire peoples, entire histories—in our national narratives? In this powerful talk, Titus Kaphar imagines a renewed, more nuanced engagement with American history: envisioning new spaces for marginalized or forgotten bodies to enter, and disrupt, the evolving fabric of our culture. For this creator, the artist’s role is clear: to draw back the curtain on ignorance and deception, and amplify the voices of those who cannot speak for themselves. In a simple phrase, it’s to celebrate the truth. Join Kaphar—one of the country’s most exciting young painters and sculptors—on a revealing, intellectually nourishing tour of the issues most in need of amendment in our country.

2:00 - 2:30 pm
REAL Dessert Break
Details

Grand Ballroom Terrace (4th Floor)

Stop by the Racial Equity and Love Lounge to visit with colleagues and leave a reflection, drawing or message on the Get REAL Wall.

2:30 - 5:00 pm
PSO Board Member Convening – NEW in 2018!
Details

Chatham (3rd Floor)

PSO board members will come together for a first-ever facilitated session that will focus on their role as members of PSO boards in an evolving field of practice, which will include an exploration of how PSOs can play leadership roles in such areas as engaging in public policy and advancing racial equity, diversity and inclusion in philanthropy. This is the ONLY place where PSO board members can explore how to be effective in this unique board role, together with their peers, which can help a PSO advance its goals and strategies.

Facilitators: Audrey Haberman, Managing Partner, The Giving Practice and Mark Sedway, Senior Partner, The Giving Practice

2:30 - 5:00 pm
CEO Summit: Part 2
Details

Nantucket (3rd Floor)

The CEO Summit will continue with an afternoon session.

Peer Community Sessions
 
Details

Join your colleagues in peer community sessions to take a deep dive into your work and to connect with those who share your job responsibilities—the only people in the country who understand exactly what you do! Discuss collaboration, partnerships, trends and ideas of how to strengthen your work. You can also take advantage of open space for thinking, meeting and connections.

Communications Peer Community

Martha's Vineyard B (3rd Floor)

Communications plays a critical and wide-reaching role at every philanthropy-serving organization. PSOs inform and engage diverse audiences—members, non-members, policymakers, and the community at large—that each have unique points of reference. In efforts to reach all segments of your audience, PSO staff may struggle with crafting and communicating a clear, consistent voice. The assortment of communication vehicles that we have at our fingertips often cause more confusion, and you can face additional challenges of ensuring that you’re being as inclusive as possible with your messaging and voicing unique viewpoints without alienating audience segments. Join your communications peers with Janet Firshein and Janet Loranger of Burness for tools to refine your organization’s voice and determine the most effective language for sharing your PSO’s messaging.

Finance and Administration Peer Community

Plymouth (4th Floor)

Creating diverse work environments starts with inclusive hiring and other human resource management practices. Learn from Nadia Brigham of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation during an in-depth look at how the Kellogg Foundation codified racial equity practices in their human resource and operations work. You will receive samples of their policies and discuss the opportunities and challenges of implementing these practices within organizations. This session is open to all who are interested in learning how to keep bias out of the hiring process and integrate inclusive practices into organizational operations.

Membership Peer Community

Cape Cod (3rd Floor)

The role of membership professionals extends beyond routine operational practices, as they are often the eyes and ears of PSOs. They keep the pulse on current and potential members’ needs by constantly assessing, adjusting and articulating service offerings and staying abreast of the latest trends and interests. Join your fellow membership peers to explore how to optimize your position in your organization and learn how other membership professionals articulate the value of membership; develop valued member services; and adapt to incorporate alternative audiences such as affiliate and associate members.

Program Peer Community

Martha's Vineyard A (3rd Floor)

Program staff are often at the forefront of advancing an organization’s strategic goals while delivering valuable programs to members. Join your fellow program staff from across the Forum network for a deep dive into the heart of member programming for PSOs. During facilitated, world-café table discussions, we will exchange best practices on member engagement and share tips on developing your networks. Topics of discussion will include: creating meaningful connections; understanding the different segments of your audience; and engaging corporate foundations or giving programs effectively in your programming.

Public Policy Peer Community

Sturbridge (4th Floor)

>Policy risk tolerance, interest and scope of work all vary widely among regional and national PSOs. That’s why we created an open-format session during which Public Policy Peer Community members choose the topics they are most interested in having deeper conversations about. Join your policy colleagues for candid discussions on a range of topics to include: finding the impact sweet spot; taking a stand on an issue or organizing members to take a stand; integrating racial equity in PSO policy work; and understanding your PSO’s outcome ambition/risk tolerance matrix for policy work.

Open Space

Adrienne Salon (4th Floor)

Relax in the REAL Lounge, find a corner to chat with a colleague or do some reflection.

5:00 - 5:30 pm
REAL Break
Details

Stop by the Racial Equity and Love Lounge to visit with colleagues and leave a reflection, drawing or message on the Get REAL Wall before heading over to the Opening Reception at the Hampshire House.

5:30 - 7:00 pm
Welcome Reception: Hampshire House - Beacon Hill
Details

Offsite: 84 Beacon St

Celebrate the opening night of the conference with your colleagues over refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres at our welcome reception at The Hampshire House, a turn-of-the-century mansion on historic Beacon Hill, where generations of Bostonians and their guests have wined, dined and danced the night away.

Designed and built in 1910 by the society architect, Ogden Codman, for fellow Brahmins Bayard and Ruth Thayer, the five-story Georgian revival townhouse was lavished with Italian marble, carved oak paneling, crystal chandeliers and tall Palladian windows. Those windows not only looked out onto the Victorian elegance of the Boston Public Garden, but they also looked into the social world of Boston’s elite, as 84 Beacon Street became one of the most fashionable salons in the city.

The Hampshire House is located in the heart of Boston and close to our dine-around dinner options and many other fine restaurants and entertainment options. Transportation will be available via a shuttle bus to and from the reception from the Hyatt for those unable to make the short walk.

Getting There:

Walking- .6 mile walk (directions will be available in the conference app).

Shuttle Bus- A shuttle bus will depart from the Hyatt Regency starting at 5:15 pm. Please meet in the hotel lower lobby on the street level and Forum staff will direct you to the shuttle. The shuttle will loop between the Hyatt Regency and Hampshire House with the last loop departing from Hampshire House at 7:00 pm.

7:00 - 9:00 pm
Dine Arounds
Details
Continue your conversations over dinner at one of Boston’s many great dining options. Additional information about the options and dinner leaders is available in the conference app. Sign-up at the registration desk and meet your dinner leader in the lobby of the Hampshire House at the close of the reception.

 

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

6:30 - 7:30 am
Morning Exercise Groups
Details
  • Hotel exercise classes are available. See the concierge for the daily schedule.
  • Join the local runners club to get yourself moving with a city run. Runners will depart from hotel lobby at 6:30 am.
7:30 am
Registration Open
Details

4th Floor Foyer near Grand Ballroom

Come pick up your name badge, program and other conference materials at the registration desk.

8:00 - 9:45 am
Breakfast Plenary:
"Advancing Racial Equity in America: Understanding Our Past to Move Forward in Our Future"
Details

Grand Ballroom (4th Floor)

Join three leading authors, speakers and thinkers on race and racial equity in America for this special plenary session. Each speaker will share an important perspective on what has led to our country’s current racial inequities and how we can move forward to overcome and eradicate them in the future. After you hear the speakers’ introductory talks in this session, you may choose to engage in a deeper presentation and discussion in the concurrent sessions that follow.

Speakers: Dr. Elizabeth Hinton (@elizabhinton), Assistant Professor of History and African and African American Studies at Harvard University and author of the award-winning book From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime: The Making of Mass Incarceration in America; Dr. Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram), Professor of History and International Relations and the Founding Director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University and award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America; Richard Rothstein, Research Associate of the Economic Policy Institute and a fellow at the Thurgood Marshall Institute of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Haas Institute at the University of California (Berkeley) and author of The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How our Government Segregated America.

9:45 - 10:00 am
Transition
10:00 - 11:15 am

Concurrent Sessions:
Deep Dive Conversations

  • A Conversation With Dr. Elizabeth Hinton (Nantucket, 3rd Floor)
  • A Conversation With Dr. Ibram X. Kendi (Martha's Vineyard, 3rd Floor)
  • A Conversation With Richard Rothstein (Cape Cod, 3rd Floor)
Details
After hearing initial comments from our three stellar breakfast plenary speakers, you’ll have a unique opportunity to engage in a deeper conversation with one of the three speakers of your choice. Each speaker will share some additional thoughts as a follow-up to their breakfast presentation, and then engage in Q&A and conversation with participants.
11:15 - 11:45 am
REAL Break
Details

Stop by the Racial Equity and Love Lounge to visit with colleagues and leave a reflection, drawing or message on the Get REAL Wall.

11:45 am - 1:30 pm
United Philanthropy Forum Annual Meeting: What Does Courageous Philanthropy Look Like?
Keynote Speaker: Grant Oliphant, President & CEO, The Heinz Endowments (@go_grant)
Details

Grand Ballroom (4th Floor)

The Forum’s 2018 Annual Meeting will be an opportunity to elect new Forum Directors, celebrate our volunteer leaders and their contributions, look back on Forum highlights of the past year and look ahead to the Forum's promising future. A highlight of the annual meeting will be a keynote presentation by Grant Oliphant, who has been a vocal and outspoken philanthropy leader in stressing the importance of foundations speaking out against government policies and decisions that are at odds with their work, denouncing racist language and policies of government leaders, and separating fact from fiction in the public discourse. In his address, Oliphant will share his perspectives on courageous philanthropy, which is a key element of the Forum’s new vision. What does courageous philanthropy look like? What is the role of PSOs to lead and encourage a courageous philanthropic sector that, as the Forum’s vision states, “catalyzes a just and equitable society where all can participate and prosper”?

1:30 - 1:45 pm
Transition
 
 
 
1:45 - 3:15 pm

Concurrent Sessions

  • Session 1: Initiating and Supporting Conversations on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Part 1
  • Session 2: Leading from the Inside Out: Using Inscaping to Power-Up Your Organization’s Impact
  • Session 3: Adaptive Business Modeling for PSOs
  • Session 4: PSOs and Philanthropy 101
Details
Initiating and Supporting Conversations on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Part 1

Nantucket (3rd Floor)

Join your colleagues for the first part of this two-part workshop on building skills to manage and support challenging conversations—especially around racial equity, diversity and inclusion work.

Part I Topics

  • Fundamentals of diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Requirements for initiating and supporting conversations on diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Addressing the key challenges to engaging in conversations on diversity, equity and inclusion.

This session is limited to 40 attendees and open only to pre-registrants.

Speaker: Inca A. Mohamed, internationally recognized facilitator and consultant

Session 2: Leading from the Inside Out: Using Inscaping to Power-Up Your Organization’s Impact

Cape Cod (3rd Floor)

Our organizations strive to make positive change in the world, articulated through our vision, mission and values. The way that organization members experience these aspirations themselves has a direct impact on our work in the world.

This workshop will focus on ways to enhance the vibrancy of organization culture and more fully express the change we want to see in the world. In particular, we will explore the practice of Inscaping: small and regular daily acts of connection, conversation, support, and witnessing that support an organization’s flourishing.

Join us to practice the art of Inscaping and learn how it can be incorporated in your organization’s systems. You will leave with concrete activities you can immediately implement back home.

Facilitator: Chris Murchison, Center for Positive Organizations, University of Michigan Ross School of Business (@MurchisonChris)

Session 3: Adaptive Business Modeling for PSOs

Martha's Vineyard A (3rd Floor)

An ongoing challenge for PSOs is developing an effective business model that can support the organization’s work and ensure financial sustainability. In this session you’ll learn about a new tool developed for Forum members to navigate the PSO business model terrain. You’ll also hear business model case studies from some of your PSO colleagues.

Speakers: Audrey Haberman, Managing Partner, The Giving Practice and Mark Sedway, Senior Partner, The Giving Practice

Session 4: PSOs and Philanthropy 101

Martha's Vineyard B (3rd Floor)

Are you new to the field of PSOs or just want to get some context and grounding in the philanthropy sector? Join us for a conversation about the history, movements and current trends in the field of philanthropy and the reach and role of philanthropy serving organizations. You are a vital part of the philanthropic ecosystem as a member of the PSO network

Speakers: Elisabeth Hyleck, Director of Learning & Engagement, Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers and Michael Pratt, Project Coordinator, Institute for Foundation and Donor Learning, Dorothy Johnson School of Philanthropy, Grand Valley State University

3:15 - 3:45 pm
REAL Break
Details

Stop by the Racial Equity and Love Lounge to visit with colleagues and leave a reflection, drawing or message on the Get REAL Wall.

 
 
 
 
3:45 - 5:15 pm

Concurrent Sessions

  • Session 1: Initiating and Supporting Conversations on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Part II
  • Session 2: Overcoming Resistance to Advocacy & Public Policy Work

Concurrent Conversations

  • Foundation Openness Conversation
  • Census 2020: Updates and Advocacy
  • PSO Data & Research Practice
  • Social Justice Philanthropy
Details
Session 1: Initiating and Supporting Conversations on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Part II

Nantucket (3rd Floor)

Join your colleagues for the second part of this two-part workshop on building skills to manage and support challenging conversations—especially around racial equity diversity and inclusion work.

Part II Topics

  • Explore the impact of how we "show up" as facilitators of conversations on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Begin to identify what we have learned from the conversations we have had and identify the ones we would like to begin.
  • Identify and practice key mindsets and skills that support facilitating conversations on diversity, equity and inclusion.

This session is limited to 40 attendees and open only to pre-registrants.

Speaker: Inca A. Mohamed, internationally recognized facilitator and consultant

Session 2: Overcoming Resistance to Advocacy & Public Policy Work

Plymouth (4th Floor)

Are you not the policy person in your organization and in fact you don’t know much about advocacy and policy but want to know the basics? Do you want to learn how to overcome your member’s and board’s resistance to this critical part of our work? Do you want to develop a deeper understanding of why policy and advocacy work is so integral to philanthropy’s impact? If so, please join us for this session for “non-wonks” and people who are just curious about the value and diversity of policy and advocacy work for regional and national PSOs.

  • Learn how to convince resistors of the importance of policy work.
  • Understand what is happening in the PSO field around policy work and how you can tap into knowledge and resources to meet your needs.
  • Develop the messaging you need to build the case for return on investment for policy work.

Speakers: Amanda Andere, CEO, Funders Together to End Homelessness (@AmandaAndere); Claudia YW Herrold, Senior Vice President for Communications & Public Policy, Philanthropy Ohio; and Seyron Foo, Director, Public Policy & Government Relations, Philanthropy California(@foofie87)

Concurrent Conversations
Foundation Openness Conversation

Chatham (3rd Floor)

Come listen to the learnings from foundations and nonprofit conversations about foundation openness that have been hosted throughout the Forum network over the past two years, through the Forum’s partnership with the Fund for Shared Insight, to shift the culture of grantmaking towards greater openness. Also learn what PSOs have learned about their own ways of working with their members on this issue.

Speaker: Sophia Lee, MSW, Senior Research Consultant, Harder+Company Community Research and Kari McCann Boutell, President, Iowa Council of Foundations

Census 2020: Updates and Advocacy

Martha's Vineyard B (3rd Floor)

Over the past two years, regional PSOs have been working in a Midwest Cohort to bring funders together to learn and take action on ensuring a fair and accurate census count in 2020, through the Forum’s partnership with The Joyce Foundation. Many other Forum members have also been engaged in this vital work, often using resources and connections created through this Forum initiative. Come hear what your colleagues are learning and planning as we approach a critical moment for our country in preparation for the 2020 census.

Speaker: Keely Monroe, Democracy Initiatives Manager, Funders' Committee Civic Participation

PSO Data & Research Practice

Cape Cod (3rd Floor)

Many PSOs are engaged in data collection and research projects. What are they learning about methodologies, systems, dissemination, collaboration and partnership around this growing part of our work? Join an informal conversation of PSO staff working in this space to build knowledge and relationships with one another.

Conversation Facilitators: Grace Nicolette, Vice President - Programming and External Relations, The Center for Effective Philanthropy (@GraceNicoletteand Stephen Sherman, Research & Data Manager, Southeastern Council of Foundations

Social Justice Philanthropy

Martha's Vineyard A (3rd Floor)

Join a discussion around what the Sillerman Center is doing to support PSOs in engaging funders and their advisors to increase and enhance grantmaking to social justice causes. Learn about what they have found as the opportunities and challenges in getting to work around social justice issues—especially when trying to move investments in the root cause of issues like segregation. Dr. Susan Eaton will share lessons learned and weave in case studies about the process of working with foundations and highlight places where they have had success, such as in the area of youth engagement.

The Sillerman Center’s mission is to inform and advance social justice philanthropy. The center runs a fellowship program, sponsors courses in Practicing Philanthropy, sponsors events and currently implements three active projects around school diversity/racial equity, youth philanthropy and immigrant integration and refugee integration in Northern New England.

Speaker: Dr. Susan Eaton, Professor of the Practice and Director, Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy at Brandeis University
5:15 - 5:45 pm
REAL Break
Details

Stop by the Racial Equity and Love Lounge to visit with colleagues and leave a reflection, drawing or message on the Get REAL Wall.

5:45 - 7:00 pm
Clips, Conversation & Cocktails
Details

Grand Ballroom (4th Floor)

Before heading out to dine in Boston, join us for some light refreshments and a conversation and clips from two powerful documentaries on the impact of climate change on New England’s waters, longtime fishing industry and renowned fishing communities, hosted in partnership with Forum member Media Impact Funders.

For many New England families, cod fishing has been a way of life for generations. But in recent decades, scientists have reported a collapse in the cod population in the Gulf of Maine, which they attribute to overfishing, climate change and government policies. Cod stocks have fallen to as low as 3 percent of what would sustain a healthy population. As a result, the federal government has imposed severe quotas on cod, which have led many fishermen to sell their boats and caused deep pain in a community that has long relied on the fish.

This tale is told in compelling detail in the 2017 documentary Sacred Cod. Join us to hear about the film from one of the filmmakers, David Abel, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter who covers fisheries and environmental issues for The Boston Globe. Abel will be interviewed by Vince Stehle, Executive Director of Media Impact Funders. In addition, we’ll share some clips of the film. Abel will also share some clips from his latest, not-yet-released documentary Lobster Wars, which tells the story of growing tensions between the United States and Canada over lobster fishing in the disputed “Gray Zone” in the Gulf of Maine—tensions being exacerbated by dramatic drops in the lobster population due to rapidly warming waters.

Speakers: David Abel, reporter for The Boston Globe and filmmaker (@davabel); Vince Stehle, Executive Director, Media Impact Funders (@VinceDaily)

Times Vary

Outings and Activities (Pre-registration is required)

  • Historic Chinatown Foodie Tour & Dinner (6:15 - 9 pm)
  • Boston Pizza and Tavern Tour (6-9 pm)
  • Freedom Trail® Revolutionary Women Tour (6-7:30 pm)
  • Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare in the Park, Dress Rehearsal for Richard III (7:30 - 10 pm)
Details
Historic Chinatown Foodie Tour & Dinner (6:15 - 9 pm)

Join us for an evening stroll through Boston's intriguing and historic Chinatown, which is the third-largest Chinatown in the United States and the only surviving historic ethnic Chinese enclave in New England. We'll learn about the evolution of the neighborhood's immigrant population, how and when the first Chinese arrived and what challenges they've had to overcome. We'll taste our way through some iconic dishes like BBQ pork and mooncakes and learn the stories behind these and other treats. We'll finish the tour with dinner as your guide introduces dish after dish, along with etiquette tips for navigating a Chinese meal.

Cost: $85 (Includes 3 tasting stops and dinner. Does not include 20% gratuity and beer and wine for the dinner.). Advance registration is required and is limited to 12 guests. 

Boston Pizza and Tavern Tour (6-9 pm)

Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Boston’s taverns, pizzerias and historic neighborhoods including the North End, Charlestown Navy Yard and the Blackstone block. Grab drinks at the same historic Boston taverns where Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and George Washington used to frequent. A scenic ferry ride across the harbor is included, plus taste three different slices from some of Boston’s very best pizzerias. Pizzerias can rotate daily, and may include – a slice from a famous North End Bakery, Tavern style pizza, or a slice voted “Boston’s Best” multiple times!

Cost: $50. Advance registration is required and is limited to 15 guests. 

Freedom Trail® Revolutionary Women Tour (6-7:30 pm)

The new Revolutionary Women Tour invites people of all ages to walk the Freedom Trail and explore four centuries of Revolutionary women who changed history. Experience the religious rebellions, patriotic actions, abolitionist movements, prolific writings, and landmark speeches of women who shaped America.

Cost: $11.

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare in the Park, Dress Rehearsal for Richard III (7:30 -10 pm)

Richard III, Shakespeare’s searing drama, chronicles the ruthless ascension of a king and the devastation he leaves in his wake as he gains power over the realm. The show features stage, film, and television actor Faran Tahir as Richard III.

Now entering its 24th season, CSC’s Shakespeare on the Common has become an annual Boston tradition, modeled along the lines of “Shakespeare in the Park” in Central Park and the many other free outdoor summer Shakespeare events throughout the country. Performing annually at the Parkman Bandstand — centrally located, handicapped-accessible and accessible to all by public transportation — CSC has become one of Boston’s most-attended annual arts events.

Cost: $25. Advance registration is required and is limited to 20 guests.

 

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

6:30 - 7:30 am
Morning Exercise Groups
Details
  • Hotel exercise classes are available. See the concierge for the daily schedule.
  • Join the local runners club to get yourself moving with a city run. Runners will depart from hotel lobby at 6:30 am.
7:30 am
Registration Opens
Details

4th Floor Foyer near Grand Ballroom (4th Floor)

Come pick up your name badge, program and other conference materials at the registration desk.

8:00 - 9:30 am
Breakfast Plenary Session: The Future of Collaboration and Partnership for Philanthropy
Details

Grand Ballroom (4th Floor)

Philanthropy-serving organizations are coming of age at a critical moment in our field and our country. How do we take full advantage of this moment to develop collaborations and partnerships that will increase the impact of our members and further increase our relevancy? What’s coming next for our field? How do we need to change our work, our organizations and our collaborations to maximize our effectiveness in these ever-changing and turbulent times? To answer these and other questions, we’ll engage in a conversation with three nonprofit and philanthropy leaders who represent key partners for Forum members.

Speakers: Dan Cardinali, President & CEO, Independent Sector (@DanCardinali); Carly Hare, National Director/Coalition Catalyst, CHANGE Philanthropy; and Donna Murray-Brown, President and CEO, Michigan Nonprofit Association (@dmurraybrown)

Moderator: David Biemesderfer, President & CEO, United Philanthropy Forum (@dbiemesderfer)

9:30 - 9:45 am
Transition
 
 
10:00 - 11:15 am

Concurrent Sessions:

  • Session 1: Enlarging the Space for Philanthropy in Europe– Developing an Advocacy Roadmap
  • Session 2: PSO Collaborations & Initiatives: Getting Better and Better at Working Together
  • Session 3: Equitable Evaluation Practice
  • Session 4: Emerging Practitioners & CEO Conversation
Details
Session 1: Enlarging the Space for Philanthropy in Europe– Developing an Advocacy Roadmap

Martha's Vineyard B (3rd Floor)

Although the work of many PSOs is focused on the United States, it’s important to remind ourselves that we are part of an increasingly global society and sector. The philanthropy sector is a key pillar of European civil society, but the operating environment for institutional philanthropy in parts of Europe is under threat—i.e., foreign funding restrictions, inconsistent cross-border philanthropy taxation schemes, harmful impacts of too rigid anti-terrorism/money laundering measures—and these are jeopardizing the essential work of more than 140,000 European donors and foundations. In response, the Forum’s colleague organization in Europe, Donors and Foundations Networks in Europe (DAFNE), along with the European Foundation Centre, have kicked off joint advocacy work for Europe’s philanthropic sector, with the aim to maintain and develop the space for philanthropy across Europe. Come learn about DAFNE’s advocacy plans in Europe and discuss how we can work with our European colleagues to strengthen philanthropy beyond our borders, and learn from each other.

Speaker: Max von Abendroth, Executive Director, Donors and Foundations Networks in Europe (DAFNE) (@bxlmax)

Session 2: PSO Collaborations & Initiatives: Getting Better and Better at Working Together

Martha's Vineyard A (3rd Floor)

What does it take to co-create solutions with partners and collaborators and sustain the energy to make change over time? Where do the ideas and seeds of collaboration come from and how do they take root? Join PSO colleagues to learn about powerful PSO collaborative efforts that are showing real progress towards goals and impact on the ground through collaborative programming and funding models. This session will also be an opportunity to speak with the Forum about the rules of the road and a guide being developed to nurture and support collaboration among members of the Forum network.

Speaker: Nancy Jamison, President & CEO, San Diego Grantmakers (@sdg_prez); Dwayne Marshall, Senior Director of Programs & Partnerships, Southeastern Council of Foundations; Mark Sedway, Senior Partner, The Giving Practice

Session 3: Equitable Evaluation Practice

Cape Cod (3rd Floor)

The road to equity requires us to continuously check ourselves, our assumptions, our privileges, our practices and our power. Otherwise, we maintain faulty beliefs and processes that reinforce, and even exacerbate, the inequality we seek to root out. The evaluative process, however, is rarely assessed through a racial equity lens. Evaluation is widely considered an objective practice but conventional evaluation is inherently biased. The melding of history, context, and culture embed inherent biases into conventional evaluation processes, which is a blind spot for PSOs engaged in racial equity work.

Jara Dean-Coffey, a member of the Equitable Evaluation Project Team, will lead an interactive exploration of the inequities reinforced by conventional evaluation and introduce the emerging set of principles that challenge us all to rethink how evaluation can be a tool for equity. In this workshop-style session, Jara will invite us all to identify a collective approach to re-imagining evaluation and garner feedback from session participants on advancing the equitable evaluation practice in the field.

This session caters to PSOs that are new and further along in racial equity work.

Speaker: Jara Dean-Coffey, Founder and Principal, Luminaire Group (@jdeancoffey)

Session 4: Emerging Practitioners & CEO Conversation

Nantucket (3rd Floor)

Emerging practitioners & CEOs will come together for a conversation about issues that surfaced during the pre-conference session for the emerging practitioners around culture, roles, trends and changes in the field. This is a repeat of the session held last year to great accolades and one that energized all.

Facilitator: Tamir Novotny, Executive Director, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) (@tamirnovotny)

11:00 - 11:30 am
REAL Break
Details

Stop by the Racial Equity and Love Lounge to visit with colleagues and leave a reflection, drawing or message on the Get REAL Wall.

 
 
11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Concurrent Sessions:

  • Session 1: DEI – Intersectional Gender/Race Norms
  • Session 2: PSOs’ Role in Advancing Racial Equity: What’s Happening & What’s Next
  • Session 3: Effective Member Engagement Scoring and Data Use
  • Session 4: Furthering Philanthropy's Mission Using Media & Journalism
Details
Session 1: DEI – Intersectional Gender/Race Norms

Nantucket (3rd Floor)

How we define diversity and the various ways we see equity or non-equity are complicated. You might say it goes beyond black and white into complicated social norms, expectation and false narratives. Join this conversation to begin to explore these complexities and gain understanding of the questions you should be asking yourself and within your organization.

Speakers: Riki Wilchins, Executive Director, TrueChild and Deborah Aubert Thomas, Vice President for Programs and Learning, Philanthropy Ohio (@aubertthomas8)

Session 2: PSOs’ Role in Advancing Racial Equity: What’s Happening & What’s Next

Martha's Vineyard A (3rd Floor)

Join us to learn more about the results of the Forum’s recent racial equity scan and how our network can move forward to continue strengthening and advancing our racial equity work. Hear about the highlights of how PSOs are currently engaging in racial equity, and the challenges and opportunities they’ve identified for this work, and discuss how we can use the scan findings to continue our journey in providing leadership for the field on these critical issues.

Speakers: David Maurrasse, Ph.D., Founder & President, Marga Incorporated; and Tamara Copeland, President & CEO, Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers (@WRAGPrez)

Session 3: Effective Member Engagement Scoring and Data Use

Martha's Vineyard B (3rd Floor)

You have gone through all the work to develop a member engagement score. Now, what do you do with it? Regional and national PSOs are utilizing a member engagement score to inform their retention efforts. But, how do you use an engagement score to shape your member services and interactions? Join a conversation to hear from the Council of Michigan Foundations and Exponent Philanthropy about why they decided to start calculating an engagement score, what changes they’ve made to their member interactions as a result, and key lessons learned.

Speakers: Debbie McKeon, Senior Vice President Member Services, Council of Michigan Foundations; Serenity Greenfield, Director of Marketing & Membership, Exponent Philanthropy and Paul Kim, Research and Knowledge Manager, Philanthropy Northwest

Session 4: Furthering Philanthropy's Mission Using Media & Journalism

Cape Cod (3rd Floor)

Media is one of the most powerful tools for social change. Philanthropy's support for media and journalism to serve as a bulwark of democracy can help build consensus on critical social issues. In this session, join Vince Stehle, Raney Aronson-Rath, producer of Frontline and colleagues from the Forum Network to learn how PSOs can develop partnerships and programming using media as a tool for effective storytelling and advocacy.

Speaker: Vince Stehle, Executive Director, Media Impact Funders (@VinceDaily); Ronna Brown, President, Philanthropy New York; Raney Aronson-Rath, Producer, Frontline (@raneyaronson) and Grace Nicolette, Vice President, Programming and External Relations, The Center for Effective Philanthropy (@GraceNicolette)

12:30 - 12:45 pm
Transition
12:45 - 2:15 pm
Conference Closing Luncheon: Changing the Narrative
Details

Grand Ballroom (4th Floor)

False narratives have been told, and continue to be told, to suppress communities of color in our country. In this inspiring closing conference session, several speakers will explore what philanthropy can do to write the true story about these communities—and thus about America. Our country is the presence of all color and that is what makes our country’s future hopeful—but only if we change the false narratives.

Speakers: Sarah Eagle Heart (@Ms_EagleHeart), Executive Director, Native Americans in Philanthropy, Cristina Jimenez, Executive Director and Co-Founder, United We Dream (@CrisAlexJimenez) and Michael McAfee, President, PolicyLink.

 

 

 

 

 

Artist: Shaw Pong Lui, Violinist and Composer, Code Listen

2:15 pm
Conference Adjourns

 

Post-Conference Sessions

July 18, 2:30 - 6:00pm
Drupal-Salesforce Users Group
Details

Martha's Vineyard A (3rd Floor)

The annual in-person meeting of current users of the Forum's Knowledge Management Collaborative Users Group. Attendance is limited to users of the Forum's Drupal-Salesforce Platform.

2:45 - 5:30 pm
Post-Conference Outing: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum Curator's Tour
Details

220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is dedicated to the memory of our nation's 35th president and to all those who through the art of politics seek a new and better world. Located on a 10-acre park overlooking the sea that Kennedy loved and the city that launched him to greatness, the Library stands as a vibrant tribute to the life and times of John F. Kennedy. Come tour the Museum, which portrays the life, leadership, and legacy of President Kennedy, conveys his enthusiasm for politics and public service, and illustrates the nature of the office of the president. Join your colleagues for a post-conference curator-guided tour and experience a piece of our recent history while in Boston.

Note: A self-guided group tour of the Library and Museum is being offered on Sunday afternoon prior to the start of the conference.

Cost: $35 (includes admission to museum and shuttle transportation to/from the library). Advance registration is required and is limited to 25 guests. 

July 19, 9:00 am - 5:00pm
Drupal-Salesforce Users Group
Details

Martha's Vineyard A (3rd Floor)

The annual in-person meeting of current users of the Forum's Knowledge Management Collaborative Users Group. Attendance is limited to users of the Forum's Drupal-Salesforce Platform.

Plenary Session Speakers


David Abel

Reporter for The Boston Globe and Filmmaker

Dan Cardinali

Independent Sector

Sarah Eagle Heart

Native Americans in Philanthropy

Carly Hare

CHANGE Philanthropy

Dr. Elizabeth Hinton

Harvard University

Cristina Jimenez

United We Dream

Titus Kaphar

Artist

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi

American University

Shaw Pong Liu

Violinist and Composer, Code Listen

Michael McAfee

PolicyLink

Donna Murray-Brown

Michigan Nonprofit Association

Grant Oliphant

The Heinz Endowments

Richard Rothstein

Economic Policy Institute

Vincent Stehle

Media Impact Funders

Concurrent Session Speakers


Amanda Andere

Funders Together to End Homelessness

Raney Aronson-Rath

Frontiline

Kalisha Bass

Arizona Grantmakers Forum

Kari McCann Boutell

Iowa Council of Foundations

Nadia C. Brigham

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Ronna Brown

Philanthropy New York

Dawn Chirwa

The Giving Practice

Tamara Lucas Copeland

Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers

Jara Dean-Coffey

Luminare Group

Dr. Susan Eaton

Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy

Janet Firshein

Burness

Seyron Foo

Southern California Grantmakers

Biz Ghormley

Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy

Storme Gray

Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy

Serenity Greenfield

Exponent Philanthropy

Audrey Haberman

The Giving Practice

Claudia Y. W. Herrold

Philanthropy Ohio

Elisabeth Hyleck

Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

Nancy Jamison

San Diego Grantmakers

Paul Kim

Philanthropy Northwest

Sindhu Knotz

The Giving Practice

Sophia Lee

Harder+Company

Linda Loranger

Burness

Dwayne Marshall

Southeastern Council of Foundations

David Maurrasse, Ph.D.

Marga Incorporated

Debbie McKeon

Council of Michigan Foundations

Inca A. Mohamed

Facilitator

Keely Monroe

Funders' Committee Civic Participation

Chris Murchison

Center for Positive Organizations, University of Michigan

Grace Nicolette

The Center for Effective Philanthropy

Tamir Novotny

Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy

Michael Pratt

Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University

Mark Sedway

The Giving Practice

Stephen Sherman

Southeastern Council of Foundations

Deborah Aubert Thomas

Philanthropy Ohio

Max von Abendroth

Donors and Foundations Networks in Europe (DAFNE)

Riki Wilchins

TrueChild

Learn more about our sponsorswebinars:

Exploring Trends in Funding Infrastructure
October 2, 2-3 pm ET

Keeping Wealth in Your Place: Using Transfer of Wealth and Local Investing to Promote Regional Prosperity
October 11, 2-3 pm ET

Presenting Sponsors


Silver Sponsor


Bronze Sponsors


CEO Dinner Sponsor


Partner Sponsors

Find out more about becoming a sponsor

To Follow is to Lead

Heather Jaconis, Gateway Center for Giving
Release Date: 
07/11/2019

In a guest post, Heather Jaconis of Gateway Center for Giving shares her reflection on ForumCon18, the lessons that she learned from attending, and how she has implemented the lessons in her daily work. 

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Topic(s): 

What Does Courageous Philanthropy Look Like?

Grant Oliphant, Heinz Endowments, and David Biemesderfer, United Philanthropy Forum
Release Date: 
08/28/2018

Forum President and CEO David Biemesderfer reflects back on Grant Oliphant's remarks at the 2018 Forum Annual Conference and the inspiration he found for himself, the Forum and the field. 

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#ForumCon18: A Conference Like No Other

Release Date: 
08/21/2018

A guest post from our member, Hilaria Swisher, Program & Engagement Coordinator at Philanthropy West Virginia about her experience as a first-time attendee and how the Forum's Annual Conference was such a unique experience.

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Lollipop Moments

Release Date: 
08/17/2018

A guest post from our member, Ellie Moore, Administrative and Communications Coordinator at Iowa Council of Foundations about how the conference was a "lollipop moment" for her around bringing racial equity to the forefront of thought and discussion in her life.

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Dispatch from #ForumCon18: Building Common Ground

Release Date: 
08/02/2018

A guest post by Niamani Mutima, Executive Director of the Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group of her reflections on the 2018 Forum Annual Conference and how we need to build a common ground to move our field forward.

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Dispatch from #ForumCon18: What is Most Needed?

Release Date: 
07/30/2018

A guest post by Leslie PineManaging Partner at The Philanthropic Initiative about her experience at the 2018 Forum Annual Conference and the role of philanthropy to create genuine social change.

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Topic(s): 

Best Conference EVER!: #ForumCon18

Release Date: 
07/27/2018

Michael Hamill Remaley, Senior Vice President, Public Policy & Communications at Philanthropy New York reflects back on his experience at our annual conference last week.

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Topic(s): 

Dispatch from #ForumCon18: Time to Inscape

Release Date: 
07/27/2018

In a guest post, Nina Sachdev of Media Impact Funders reflects on her journey to last week's Forum Annual Conference and the value a concurrent session on Inscaping can have to our work. 

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Stay tuned! More videos are on the way from #ForumCon18 Artist Titus Kaphar opened the conference with a powerful keynote. Although the Forum was not able to film his gripping presentation, you can read attendees' reactions.
Grant Oliphant, President & CEO of The Heinz Endowments, gave an inspiring keynote presentation at the 2018 Forum Annual Conference in Boston, MA on July 17. He is a vocal and outspoken philanthropy leader who stresses the importance of foundations speaking out against government policies and decisions that are at odds with their work.
Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Professor of History and International Relations and the Founding Director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University, shared key concepts from his New York Times-bestselling book Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America.
Dr. Elizabeth Hinton (@elizabhinton), Assistant Professor of History and African and African American Studies at Harvard University and author of the award-winning book From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime: The Making of Mass Incarceration in America. Dr. Hinton examined the persistence of poverty and racial inequality in the 20th century United States.
Richard Rothstein, Research Associate of the Economic Policy Institute and a fellow at the Thurgood Marshall Institute of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Haas Institute at the University of California (Berkeley) and author of The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How our Government Segregated America. Rothstein surfaces the forgotten history of how federal, state and local policy explicitly segregated metropolitan areas nationwide.
This conference plenary session, entitled “The Future of Collaboration and Partnership for Philanthropy,” featured three nonprofit and philanthropy leaders discussing how and why philanthropy-serving organizations can develop deeper collaborations and partnerships, at a critical moment in our sector, to increase the impact of our members and further increase our relevancy.
Cristina Jiménez, Executive Director and Co-Founder, United We Dream, presented as part of a plenary session at United Philanthropy Forum’s 2018 Annual Conference in Boston on July 18. Jiménez asked participants to be unapologetic in talking about the inclusive country that we want to build together.
Michael McAfee, President of PolicyLink, gave this presentation on July 18, 2018, as part of a plenary session at United Philanthropy Forum’s 2018 Annual Conference in Boston focused on changing the false narratives told in our country about communities of color. McAfee urged participants to stop changing the narrative, to see his narrative and to stop being afraid of the narrative.
Sarah Eagle Heart, Executive Director, Native Americans in Philanthropy, presented as part of a plenary session at United Philanthropy Forum’s 2018 Annual Conference in Boston on July 18. Eagle Heart spoke about how her organization is using popular media to help change the narrative about Native Americans in our country.
This conference plenary session, entitled “Changing the Narrative,” focused on changing the false narratives that have been told in our country about communities of color. It featured presentations from Sarah Eagle Heart, Executive Director of Native Americans in Philanthropy; Cristina Jiménez, Executive Director and Co-Founder of United We Dream; Michael McAfee, President of PolicyLink; and Violinist and Composer Shaw Pong Liu of Code Listen. The session was held on July 18, 2018, at United Philanthropy Forum’s 2018 Annual Conference in Boston.

Jump to: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday

Monday, July 16, 2018

8:00 am - 12:00 pm
CEO Summit: Part I
Details

Nantucket (3rd Floor)

The CEO Summit is a rare opportunity for the chief executives of regional and national PSOs to come together with your peers for in-depth learning, sharing and reflection. The Summit will feature a number of engaging and interactive elements, including Micro-Talks on critical issues, Hot Topics Discussions and Peer Consults on leadership dilemmas.

Facilitators: Dawn Chirwa, Senior Advisor, The Giving Practice; and Sindhu Knotz, Partner, The Giving Practice

Session Materials:

2:30 - 5:00 pm
Peer Community Sessions
 
Details

Join your colleagues in peer community sessions to take a deep dive into your work and to connect with those who share your job responsibilities—the only people in the country who understand exactly what you do! Discuss collaboration, partnerships, trends and ideas of how to strengthen your work. You can also take advantage of open space for thinking, meeting and connections.

Communications Peer Community

Martha's Vineyard B (3rd Floor)

Communications plays a critical and wide-reaching role at every philanthropy-serving organization. PSOs inform and engage diverse audiences—members, non-members, policymakers, and the community at large—that each have unique points of reference. In efforts to reach all segments of your audience, PSO staff may struggle with crafting and communicating a clear, consistent voice. The assortment of communication vehicles that we have at our fingertips often cause more confusion, and you can face additional challenges of ensuring that you’re being as inclusive as possible with your messaging and voicing unique viewpoints without alienating audience segments. Join your communications peers with Janet Firshein and Janet Loranger of Burness for tools to refine your organization’s voice and determine the most effective language for sharing your PSO’s messaging.

Session Materials:

Finance and Administration Peer Community

Plymouth (4th Floor)

Creating diverse work environments starts with inclusive hiring and other human resource management practices. Learn from Nadia Brigham of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation during an in-depth look at how the Kellogg Foundation codified racial equity practices in their human resource and operations work. You will receive samples of their policies and discuss the opportunities and challenges of implementing these practices within organizations. This session is open to all who are interested in learning how to keep bias out of the hiring process and integrate inclusive practices into organizational operations.

Session Materials:

Membership Peer Community

Cape Cod (3rd Floor)

The role of membership professionals extends beyond routine operational practices, as they are often the eyes and ears of PSOs. They keep the pulse on current and potential members’ needs by constantly assessing, adjusting and articulating service offerings and staying abreast of the latest trends and interests. Join your fellow membership peers to explore how to optimize your position in your organization and learn how other membership professionals articulate the value of membership; develop valued member services; and adapt to incorporate alternative audiences such as affiliate and associate members.

Session Materials:

Program Peer Community

Martha's Vineyard A (3rd Floor)

Program staff are often at the forefront of advancing an organization’s strategic goals while delivering valuable programs to members. Join your fellow program staff from across the Forum network for a deep dive into the heart of member programming for PSOs. During facilitated, world-café table discussions, we will exchange best practices on member engagement and share tips on developing your networks. Topics of discussion will include: creating meaningful connections; understanding the different segments of your audience; and engaging corporate foundations or giving programs effectively in your programming.

Session Materials:

 

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

10:00 - 11:15 am

Concurrent Sessions:
Deep Dive Conversations

  • A Conversation With Dr. Elizabeth Hinton (Nantucket, 3rd Floor)
Details
After hearing initial comments from our three stellar breakfast plenary speakers, you’ll have a unique opportunity to engage in a deeper conversation with one of the three speakers of your choice. Each speaker will share some additional thoughts as a follow-up to their breakfast presentation, and then engage in Q&A and conversation with participants.
 
Session Materials:
11:45 am - 1:30 pm
United Philanthropy Forum Annual Meeting: What Does Courageous Philanthropy Look Like?
Keynote Speaker: Grant Oliphant, President & CEO, The Heinz Endowments (@go_grant)
Details

Grand Ballroom (4th Floor)

The Forum’s 2018 Annual Meeting will be an opportunity to elect new Forum Directors, celebrate our volunteer leaders and their contributions, look back on Forum highlights of the past year and look ahead to the Forum's promising future. A highlight of the annual meeting will be a keynote presentation by Grant Oliphant, who has been a vocal and outspoken philanthropy leader in stressing the importance of foundations speaking out against government policies and decisions that are at odds with their work, denouncing racist language and policies of government leaders, and separating fact from fiction in the public discourse. In his address, Oliphant will share his perspectives on courageous philanthropy, which is a key element of the Forum’s new vision. What does courageous philanthropy look like? What is the role of PSOs to lead and encourage a courageous philanthropic sector that, as the Forum’s vision states, “catalyzes a just and equitable society where all can participate and prosper”?

 

Session Materials:

1:45 - 3:15 pm

Concurrent Sessions

  • Session 1: Initiating and Supporting Conversations on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Part 1
  • Session 2: Leading from the Inside Out: Using Inscaping to Power-Up Your Organization’s Impact
  • Session 4: PSOs and Philanthropy 101
Details
Initiating and Supporting Conversations on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Part 1

Nantucket (3rd Floor)

Join your colleagues for the first part of this two-part workshop on building skills to manage and support challenging conversations—especially around racial equity, diversity and inclusion work.

Part I Topics

  • Fundamentals of diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Requirements for initiating and supporting conversations on diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Addressing the key challenges to engaging in conversations on diversity, equity and inclusion.

This session is limited to 40 attendees and open only to pre-registrants.

Speaker: Inca A. Mohamed, internationally recognized facilitator and consultant

Session Materials:

Session 2: Leading from the Inside Out: Using Inscaping to Power-Up Your Organization’s Impact

Cape Cod (3rd Floor)

Our organizations strive to make positive change in the world, articulated through our vision, mission and values. The way that organization members experience these aspirations themselves has a direct impact on our work in the world.

This workshop will focus on ways to enhance the vibrancy of organization culture and more fully express the change we want to see in the world. In particular, we will explore the practice of Inscaping: small and regular daily acts of connection, conversation, support, and witnessing that support an organization’s flourishing.

Join us to practice the art of Inscaping and learn how it can be incorporated in your organization’s systems. You will leave with concrete activities you can immediately implement back home.

Facilitator: Chris Murchison, Center for Positive Organizations, University of Michigan Ross School of Business (@MurchisonChris)

Session Materials:

Session 4: PSOs and Philanthropy 101

Martha's Vineyard B (3rd Floor)

Are you new to the field of PSOs or just want to get some context and grounding in the philanthropy sector? Join us for a conversation about the history, movements and current trends in the field of philanthropy and the reach and role of philanthropy serving organizations. You are a vital part of the philanthropic ecosystem as a member of the PSO network

Speakers: Elisabeth Hyleck, Director of Learning & Engagement, Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers and Michael Pratt, Project Coordinator, Institute for Foundation and Donor Learning, Dorothy Johnson School of Philanthropy, Grand Valley State University

Session Materials:

3:45 - 5:15 pm

Concurrent Sessions

  • Session 2: Overcoming Resistance to Advocacy & Public Policy Work

Concurrent Conversations

  • Foundation Openness Conversation
  • PSO Data & Research Practice
  • Social Justice Philanthropy
Details
Session 2: Overcoming Resistance to Advocacy & Public Policy Work

Plymouth (4th Floor)

Are you not the policy person in your organization and in fact you don’t know much about advocacy and policy but want to know the basics? Do you want to learn how to overcome your member’s and board’s resistance to this critical part of our work? Do you want to develop a deeper understanding of why policy and advocacy work is so integral to philanthropy’s impact? If so, please join us for this session for “non-wonks” and people who are just curious about the value and diversity of policy and advocacy work for regional and national PSOs.

  • Learn how to convince resistors of the importance of policy work.
  • Understand what is happening in the PSO field around policy work and how you can tap into knowledge and resources to meet your needs.
  • Develop the messaging you need to build the case for return on investment for policy work.

Speakers: Amanda Andere, CEO, Funders Together to End Homelessness (@AmandaAndere); Claudia YW Herrold, Senior Vice President for Communications & Public Policy, Philanthropy Ohio; and Seyron Foo, Director, Public Policy & Government Relations, Philanthropy California(@foofie87)

Session Materials:

Concurrent Conversations
Foundation Openness Conversation

Chatham (3rd Floor)

Come listen to the learnings from foundations and nonprofit conversations about foundation openness that have been hosted throughout the Forum network over the past two years, through the Forum’s partnership with the Fund for Shared Insight, to shift the culture of grantmaking towards greater openness. Also learn what PSOs have learned about their own ways of working with their members on this issue.

Speaker: Sophia Lee, MSW, Senior Research Consultant, Harder+Company Community Research and Kari McCann Boutell, President, Iowa Council of Foundations

Session Materials:

PSO Data & Research Practice

Cape Cod (3rd Floor)

Many PSOs are engaged in data collection and research projects. What are they learning about methodologies, systems, dissemination, collaboration and partnership around this growing part of our work? Join an informal conversation of PSO staff working in this space to build knowledge and relationships with one another.

Conversation Facilitators: Grace Nicolette, Vice President - Programming and External Relations, The Center for Effective Philanthropy (@GraceNicoletteand Stephen Sherman, Research & Data Manager, Southeastern Council of Foundations

Session Materials:

Social Justice Philanthropy

Martha's Vineyard A (3rd Floor)

Join a discussion around what the Sillerman Center is doing to support PSOs in engaging funders and their advisors to increase and enhance grantmaking to social justice causes. Learn about what they have found as the opportunities and challenges in getting to work around social justice issues—especially when trying to move investments in the root cause of issues like segregation. Dr. Susan Eaton will share lessons learned and weave in case studies about the process of working with foundations and highlight places where they have had success, such as in the area of youth engagement.

The Sillerman Center’s mission is to inform and advance social justice philanthropy. The center runs a fellowship program, sponsors courses in Practicing Philanthropy, sponsors events and currently implements three active projects around school diversity/racial equity, youth philanthropy and immigrant integration and refugee integration in Northern New England.

Speaker: Dr. Susan Eaton, Professor of the Practice and Director, Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy at Brandeis University

Session Materials:

5:45 - 7:00 pm
Clips, Conversation & Cocktails
Details

Grand Ballroom (4th Floor)

Before heading out to dine in Boston, join us for some light refreshments and a conversation and clips from two powerful documentaries on the impact of climate change on New England’s waters, longtime fishing industry and renowned fishing communities, hosted in partnership with Forum member Media Impact Funders.

For many New England families, cod fishing has been a way of life for generations. But in recent decades, scientists have reported a collapse in the cod population in the Gulf of Maine, which they attribute to overfishing, climate change and government policies. Cod stocks have fallen to as low as 3 percent of what would sustain a healthy population. As a result, the federal government has imposed severe quotas on cod, which have led many fishermen to sell their boats and caused deep pain in a community that has long relied on the fish.

This tale is told in compelling detail in the 2017 documentary Sacred Cod. Join us to hear about the film from one of the filmmakers, David Abel, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter who covers fisheries and environmental issues for The Boston Globe. Abel will be interviewed by Vince Stehle, Executive Director of Media Impact Funders. In addition, we’ll share some clips of the film. Abel will also share some clips from his latest, not-yet-released documentary Lobster War, which tells the story of growing tensions between the United States and Canada over lobster fishing in the disputed “Gray Zone” in the Gulf of Maine—tensions being exacerbated by dramatic drops in the lobster population due to rapidly warming waters.

Speakers: David Abel, reporter for The Boston Globe and filmmaker (@davabel); Vince Stehle, Executive Director, Media Impact Funders (@VinceDaily)

Session Materials:

 

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

 
 
10:00 - 11:15 am

Concurrent Sessions:

  • Session 1: Enlarging the Space for Philanthropy in Europe– Developing an Advocacy Roadmap
  • Session 3: Equitable Evaluation Practice
Details
Session 1: Enlarging the Space for Philanthropy in Europe– Developing an Advocacy Roadmap

Martha's Vineyard B (3rd Floor)

Although the work of many PSOs is focused on the United States, it’s important to remind ourselves that we are part of an increasingly global society and sector. The philanthropy sector is a key pillar of European civil society, but the operating environment for institutional philanthropy in parts of Europe is under threat—i.e., foreign funding restrictions, inconsistent cross-border philanthropy taxation schemes, harmful impacts of too rigid anti-terrorism/money laundering measures—and these are jeopardizing the essential work of more than 140,000 European donors and foundations. In response, the Forum’s colleague organization in Europe, Donors and Foundations Networks in Europe (DAFNE), along with the European Foundation Centre, have kicked off joint advocacy work for Europe’s philanthropic sector, with the aim to maintain and develop the space for philanthropy across Europe. Come learn about DAFNE’s advocacy plans in Europe and discuss how we can work with our European colleagues to strengthen philanthropy beyond our borders, and learn from each other.

Speaker: Max von Abendroth, Executive Director, Donors and Foundations Networks in Europe (DAFNE) (@bxlmax)

Session Materials:

Session 3: Equitable Evaluation Practice

Cape Cod (3rd Floor)

The road to equity requires us to continuously check ourselves, our assumptions, our privileges, our practices and our power. Otherwise, we maintain faulty beliefs and processes that reinforce, and even exacerbate, the inequality we seek to root out. The evaluative process, however, is rarely assessed through a racial equity lens. Evaluation is widely considered an objective practice but conventional evaluation is inherently biased. The melding of history, context, and culture embed inherent biases into conventional evaluation processes, which is a blind spot for PSOs engaged in racial equity work.

Jara Dean-Coffey, a member of the Equitable Evaluation Project Team, will lead an interactive exploration of the inequities reinforced by conventional evaluation and introduce the emerging set of principles that challenge us all to rethink how evaluation can be a tool for equity. In this workshop-style session, Jara will invite us all to identify a collective approach to re-imagining evaluation and garner feedback from session participants on advancing the equitable evaluation practice in the field.

This session caters to PSOs that are new and further along in racial equity work.

Speaker: Jara Dean-Coffey, Founder and Principal, Luminaire Group (@jdeancoffey)

Session Materials:

 
 
11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Concurrent Sessions:

  • Session 1: DEI – Intersectional Gender/Race Norms
  • Session 2: PSOs’ Role in Advancing Racial Equity: What’s Happening & What’s Next
  • Session 3: Effective Member Engagement Scoring and Data Use
  • Session 4: Furthering Philanthropy's Mission Using Media & Journalism
Details
Session 1: DEI – Intersectional Gender/Race Norms

Nantucket (3rd Floor)

How we define diversity and the various ways we see equity or non-equity are complicated. You might say it goes beyond black and white into complicated social norms, expectation and false narratives. Join this conversation to begin to explore these complexities and gain understanding of the questions you should be asking yourself and within your organization.

Speakers: Riki Wilchins, Executive Director, TrueChild and Deborah Aubert Thomas, Vice President for Programs and Learning, Philanthropy Ohio (@aubertthomas8)

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Session 2: PSOs’ Role in Advancing Racial Equity: What’s Happening & What’s Next

Martha's Vineyard A (3rd Floor)

Join us to learn more about the results of the Forum’s recent racial equity scan and how our network can move forward to continue strengthening and advancing our racial equity work. Hear about the highlights of how PSOs are currently engaging in racial equity, and the challenges and opportunities they’ve identified for this work, and discuss how we can use the scan findings to continue our journey in providing leadership for the field on these critical issues.

Speakers: David Maurrasse, Ph.D., Founder & President, Marga Incorporated; and Tamara Copeland, President & CEO, Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers (@WRAGPrez)

Session Materials:

Session 3: Effective Member Engagement Scoring and Data Use

Martha's Vineyard B (3rd Floor)

You have gone through all the work to develop a member engagement score. Now, what do you do with it? Regional and national PSOs are utilizing a member engagement score to inform their retention efforts. But, how do you use an engagement score to shape your member services and interactions? Join a conversation to hear from the Council of Michigan Foundations and Exponent Philanthropy about why they decided to start calculating an engagement score, what changes they’ve made to their member interactions as a result, and key lessons learned.

Speakers: Debbie McKeon, Senior Vice President Member Services, Council of Michigan Foundations; Serenity Greenfield, Director of Marketing & Membership, Exponent Philanthropy and Paul Kim, Research and Knowledge Manager, Philanthropy Northwest

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Session 4: Furthering Philanthropy's Mission Using Media & Journalism

Cape Cod (3rd Floor)

Media is one of the most powerful tools for social change. Philanthropy's support for media and journalism to serve as a bulwark of democracy can help build consensus on critical social issues. In this session, join Vince Stehle, Raney Aronson-Rath, producer of Frontline and colleagues from the Forum Network to learn how PSOs can develop partnerships and programming using media as a tool for effective storytelling and advocacy.

Speaker: Vince Stehle, Executive Director, Media Impact Funders (@VinceDaily); Ronna Brown, President, Philanthropy New York; Raney Aronson-Rath, Producer, Frontline (@raneyaronson) and Grace Nicolette, Vice President, Programming and External Relations, The Center for Effective Philanthropy (@GraceNicolette)

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