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Philanthropic Practice

The Forum supports and advances the work of our members to strengthen and grow effective philanthropic practice through high-quality philanthropy education in two primary ways. First, we provide education for national and regional philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs) to advance their important work in the sector. Second, we provide education that our members can deliver to their members and constituents to advance effective philanthropy.

  • Education for PSOs: The Forum provides ongoing education, professional development and networking opportunities to help PSOs in their important work to support, inform and advance philanthropy across the country. This includes periodic calls and webinars; Peer Communities that offer our members ongoing opportunities to connect and learn with their peers who have similar job responsibilities; and our signature Annual Conference, which is the nation’s largest gathering of the CEOs and staffs of regional and national PSOs in the field.
     
  • Education for Funders: The Forum develops and implements strategies that leverage the full knowledge and skills within our network to develop high-quality education opportunities to advance philanthropic practice, which can be delivered by our members throughout the network in a consistent, effective and efficient way. We focus our work in three core areas: philanthropic practice, which focuses on the “how” of philanthropic work and on building skills and knowledge for deeper impact; advancing racial equity, diversity and inclusion in philanthropy; and special programming to serve specific types of philanthropy, such as our community foundation services. Past examples of the Forum's work to develop philanthropy education to be used throughout our network include the Essential Skills & Strategies for New Grantmakers curriculum and the Maximizing Corporate Community Investments curriculum.

The Forum's philanthropy education work is led by Traci Slater-Rigaud, the Forum’s Director of Member Engagement & Partnerships.