Almost as quickly as it began, the 2019 CEP Conference has come to a close. From a highly interactive opening plenary about the role of money and markets in a just society with political philosopher Michael Sandel to a gripping and insightful conversation about philanthropy and systemic injustice with Anand Giridharadas and Jeff Raikes, Stronger Philanthropy was rife with thought-provoking data, insightful conversations, and bold discussion of the issues at the forefront of the philanthropic sector. Thank you to all the speakers, sponsors, hotel staff, attendees, and tweeters for making it a memorable three days in the Twin Cities.
Through tweets from attendees, here is a sampling of the insights and conversations from the final day of the conference:
The third and final day began with a powerful presentation of sobering data on the American housing crisis by Pulitzer Prize-winning author and sociologist Matthew Desmond. Desmond was joined by Amanda Andere, CEO of Funders Together to End Homelessness; Tecara Ayler, Luis Caguana, and Roberto de la Riva of Minneapolis-based tenants’ rights advocacy group Inquilinxs Unidxs Por Justicia (United Renters for Justice); and Susan Thomas, program director at Melville Charitable Trust. Activists Caguana (with interpretation from de la Riva, who is co-director of Inquilinx Unixs) and Ayler shared their personal stories about renter abuse and eviction in Minneapolis. The speakers pushed the audience to consider topics like the power dynamics between renter and landlord, the devastating consequences of — and stark inequity surrounding — homelessness and eviction, the meaning of home, and the ways that homelessness can limit human potential. Caguana and Ayler also offered a galvanizing look at what movement-building and determination from the grassroots can do to bring justice to this story in its next act.
Matthew Desmond at #CEP2019: For many people, eviction is a result of inevitability, not irresponsibility. @evictionlab pic.twitter.com/0BB81Tbg68
— ckabel (@ckabel) May 9, 2019
Matt Desmond is mapping evictions in the USA with his new eviction lab @Princeton — low income folks are moving because of evictions, creating an eviction epidemic #CEP2019 pic.twitter.com/tzuWeYf6Q9
— Fay Twersky (@FayDTwersky) May 9, 2019
Eviction Lab, the first nationwide database of evictions, shows that there were 2.35 million evictions in 2016, 1 every 4 minutes @evictionlab #cep2019 https://t.co/psrvAWX9gh
— David Biemesderfer (@dbiemesderfer) May 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/SBR2414/status/1126488920462639104
"Eviction tears apart the fabric of communities…Without stable shelter, everything falls apart." @just_shelter #cep2019
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) (@CEPData) May 9, 2019
Listening now to Luis Caguana, board member of Inquilinxs Unidxs pot Justicia, a local tenants’ rights advocacy group, about how they began their start, translated from Spanish #CEP2019 pic.twitter.com/XgiDwTe4i8
— Grace Chiang Nicolette (姜韻聲) (@GraceNicolette) May 9, 2019
Luis Caguana of @IX_Unidxs shares his experience of living under constant threats of a landlord, and how organizing and protest changed the narrative. "We have the truths and we have the heart." #cep2019 pic.twitter.com/8m7uLN3VIT
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) (@CEPData) May 9, 2019
"All these people in meetings were looking at us like we did something wrong…The city was disowning us." Tecara Ayler @IX_Unidxs shares her experience. #cep2019
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) (@CEPData) May 9, 2019
“Rules are written, they are paper, you can rip them up, you can change them.” Tecara Ayler talking about the arbitrary rules landlords and municipalities write. #CEP2019
— Hayden Couvillion (@Hayden_Couvi) May 9, 2019
Imagine a homeless person. Imagine a person who has lost their home. Are those images different? For most of us they are, and that is a problem. Susan Thomas speaking at #CEP2019
— Pam Foster (@pamfoster31) May 9, 2019
A reminder to those who don’t work in housing and homelessness: a shelter is NOT a home. If you are living in a shelter, you are homeless. If you’re on a friend’s couch, you are homeless. Homelessness isn’t always visible. #cep2019
— Jen Bokoff (@jenbo1) May 9, 2019
"The housing system is broken because it was built on structural racism." @AmandaAndere #CEP2019
— Jessica David (@JDinRI) May 9, 2019
What an amazing plenary #CEP2019 this morning; one take away:
Funders must knock on doors and go to local community meetings. If you don‘t know the people you cannot be of help.
— Felix Dresewski (@felixdresewski) May 9, 2019
Q: What is one thing you want funders to know? A: You can’t help us if you don’t know us.—Tecara Ayler, community organizer and housing justice advocate. #CEP2019
— Laila A. Bell (@lailaabell) May 9, 2019
You can't help us if you don't know us. Hear that colleagues? #CEP2019
— Lisa Jackson (@Ldrjackson) May 9, 2019
Following this deeply moving and gripping panel discussion about eviction in America, attendees dispersed for the conference’s third and final series of breakout sessions. Topics covered included philanthropy with a racial equity lens, youth voice in philanthropy, inclusive problem-solving, governance, and funder partnerships, to name a few. Check out a few nuggets from the day’s breakout conversations:
“Before you ask questions about what to do or how to do it (advancing racial equity) Have to take the time to do deep learning and analysis on how we got here. – Anna Cruz @kresgefdn #CEP2019
— Amanda Misiko Andere (@AmandaAndere) May 9, 2019
Is the culture of “nice” in philanthropy white fragility?
“If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not doing the work” @ShamarBibbins #CEP2019 #PhilanthropyWithRacialEquityLens
— Jennifer Wei (@JenniferWei11) May 9, 2019
Commit publicly to inclusion of people with disabilities — and repeat those messages! @Respect_Ability #cep2019 pic.twitter.com/mH5TBtL2XR
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) (@CEPData) May 9, 2019
It’s powerful when the CEO and Board Chair have a real partnership. Great to hear the experience of Kevin Walker and Rodney Jordan from @NWAFound and insight from @AnneWallestad of @BoardSource. #CEP2019
— Kate Barr (@KateSBarr) May 9, 2019
Most actionable part of any @CEPData conf: sessions on strengthening relationships based on data from grantee/staff/donor surveys. Glad to hear from reps from @FordFoundation @Hewlett_Found and @BarrFdn and of course the ever-thoughtful @kmbolduc. It matters for impact. #CEP2019 pic.twitter.com/rmgHIfsDJR
— Pam Foster (@pamfoster31) May 9, 2019
“Students need to be seen and heard. When you do this, it is powerful for both students and those who support them.” @SYF_CEO challenging the audience to prioritize #studentvoice in #philanthropy at #CEP2019
— Simon Youth Foundation (@simon_youth) May 9, 2019
MacArthur’s Cecilia Conrad joined @OpenImpactTeam’s @AlexaCulwell, @gatesfoundation’s Julita Eleveld, and @PackardFdn’s Carol S. Larson at #CEP2019 to talk about collaborative philanthropy and how foundations can provide the tools to help donors accelerate their giving. pic.twitter.com/fANQbxPizP
— MacArthur Foundation (@macfound) May 9, 2019
– It is dangerous to solve an individual problem with a process solution.
A concept stated at a session on CEOs and Boards, but something to consider in all of our work. #CEP2019
— Nadege Souvenir (@NadegeJoseph) May 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/MashaChernyak/status/1126518756900069376
#cep2019 informative and powerful session with @MatanKoch @Respect_Ability are we considering disability in DEI conversations and efforts? pic.twitter.com/8B6mRw092j
— Ellie Buteau (@e_buteau) May 9, 2019
Congratulations to Anne Snyder on the release of her recent book, The Fabric of Character! She’s in dialogue now with Larry Kramer from @Hewlett_Found #CEP2019 pic.twitter.com/ImSjlJeeii
— Grace Chiang Nicolette (姜韻聲) (@GraceNicolette) May 9, 2019
After the breakout sessions, attendees reconvened for the highly anticipated plenary discussion with Anand Giridharadas, author of Winner Takes All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World, and former Microsoft executive and co-founder of the Raikes Foundation, Jeff Raikes, moderated by Grace Nicolette, vice president of programming and external relations at CEP. A riveting conversation ensued, spanning critiques of mega philanthropy to the role of power and money in solving societal problems to the importance of humility in giving effectively and affecting systems change. It was a session that left many attendees, in the words of one, teetering on the edge of their seats.
Philanthropy must avoid the trap of “decent people upholding an indecent system” — powerful discussion among @AnandWrites @jeffraikes and @GraceNicolette at @CEPData pic.twitter.com/GsThbLhTP5
— Grant Oliphant (@go_grant) May 9, 2019
“We’re not here to blindly defend philanthropy or attack @AnandWrites’ critique. We have to grapple with what it means to philanthropy and a democratic society.” @jeffraikes #CEP2019
— Kathy Reich (@kdreich) May 9, 2019
“Privilege is invisible to those who possess it.” @JeffRaikes #CEP2019
— Michelle Foster (@michellemfoster) May 9, 2019
I totally agree with @jeffraikes:
As people in the #philanthropy sector, we have to be provoked by critics like @AnandWrites. #CEP2019
— Don Chen (@donchennyc) May 9, 2019
What philanthropists should do: cede power, co-create solutions with communities, work with gov & support high-functioning gov. Center for Effective Philanthropy #cep2019
— Crystal Hayling (@CHayling) May 9, 2019
.@AnandWrites with what we learned from feminist theorists: A lot of problems we thought to be personal problems were misunderstood. Certain things happening as private things were actually political. #CEP2019
— Jessica David (@JDinRI) May 9, 2019
At #CEP2019 @GraceNicolette masterfully leading an illuminating and provocative discussion with @jeffraikes and @AnandWrites finding a lot of common ground.
— Vincent Stehle (@VinceDaily) May 9, 2019
Anand G sees rare humility in J Raikes view that business acumen doesn't lead naturally to effective philanthropy. #CEP2019 @philxbuchanan
— Richard Ober (@dickober) May 9, 2019
“Never strive to be the smartest person in the room. Strive to be the most intellectually curious person in the room.” @jeffraikes #CEP2019
— Kathy Reich (@kdreich) May 9, 2019
Literally teetering in the edge of my seat watching @AnandWrites and @jeffraikes intelligently tackle huge, important issues in modern philanthropy. First time I’ve used “thrilling” to describe a conference, truly #CEP2019
— Anne Deanovic (@hotmustardpr) May 9, 2019
.@jeffraikes: "I’m tired of the old trope of government being inefficient. I do not believe that we are here to replace what government does. We need an effective government and capitalism with real guardrails." #CEP2019
— Raikes Foundation (@RaikesFdn) May 9, 2019
"I think money can be given in ways that uphold bad systems, and it can also be given in ways that help tear down that bad system." – @AnandWrites #cep2019
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) (@CEPData) May 9, 2019
It’s better not to be a plague then to solve all the diseases in the world. What role are you playing? #CEP2019
— Jara Dean-Coffey (@jdeancoffey) May 9, 2019
Philanthropy should step back and ask “how can we create the conditions so that a problem can be solved publicly” @AnandWrites #CEP2019
— Stephanie Gillis (@SFGillis) May 9, 2019
.@AnandWrites teasing apart the difference between “giving back” and “giving up.” #cep2019 pic.twitter.com/HaNsnsLq0p
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) (@CEPData) May 9, 2019
Did someone just say…philanthropy as wealth redistribution (or could be) #CEP2019. Now we are getting someplace transformational.
— Jara Dean-Coffey (@jdeancoffey) May 9, 2019
“Power is a zero sum game. No way to empower women without making men less powerful.” @AnandWrites #winnertakesall #CEP2019
— Jennifer Wei (@JenniferWei11) May 9, 2019
Power is a zero sum game. If power shifts to people who don’t have any, then someone who had it will have less. And that’s what has to happen @AnandWrites #cep2019
— Kate Barr (@KateSBarr) May 9, 2019
Props to @jeffraikes and @AnandWritesfor an engaging dialogue with filled with provoking ideas, humility, humor and real talk about privilege. #CEP2019
— Hilary Cherner (@hcherner1) May 9, 2019
So appreciative of @AnandWrites and @jeffraikes for their willingness to engage in a thoughtful discussion on the role philanthropy plays in our society at the #CEP2019 Conference this afternoon.
Thanks to @philxbuchanan & the @CEPData team for coordinating!
— Emily Procknal (@EmilyProcknal) May 9, 2019
After lunch, a panel with a fount of philanthropic knowledge and wisdom took the main stage to conclude the conference. Moderated by Kate Wolford, president of McKnight Foundation, and informed by CEP President Phil Buchanan’s new book Giving Done Right, five panelists representing a wide range of backgrounds and decades of combined philanthropic experience gathered together to debate the elements of effective philanthropy and the major challenges currently facing the philanthropic sector. With Wolford and Buchanan, Janine Lee (president and CEO of Southeastern Council of Foundations), Larry Kramer (president of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation), Jacqueline Martinez Garcel (CEO of the Latino Community Foundation), and Anthony Richardson (executive director of the Nord Family Foundation) shared candid stories from their experiences as leaders in the philanthropic sector. While it is nearly impossible to pull together a conversation spanning three days’ worth of programming in one session, the panel left attendees with important questions and insights to consider as they return to their respective organizations.
"So many nonprofit leaders across the country and globe are unsung heroes who do so much with so little." – @philxbuchanan. FACTS. #cep2019
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) (@CEPData) May 9, 2019
Folks believe that nonprofits should operate like businesses, and that giving is the same as investing. … but the work of nonprofits is often so much more difficult than running an equivalent size business. Phil Buchanan, #cep2019
— Center for High Impact Philanthropy (@ImpactSP2) May 9, 2019
"We've reached an inflection point and we need a sense of urgency….We in philanthropy are the quiet giants and are not using our collective voice. It's past time we do that." – Janine Lee @secftweets #cep2019
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) (@CEPData) May 9, 2019
"We scream at the machine, but we're silent in our sector, silent in our offices, silent in our boardrooms." – Anthony Richardson, executive director of Nord Family Foundation #cep2019
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) (@CEPData) May 9, 2019
“Learn. Unlearn. Relearn.” #CEP2019 https://t.co/CCpyPiTflL
— Andreas Hipple (@AndreasHipple) May 9, 2019
.@funderstogether board member Anthony Richardson, ED of the Nord Family Foundation, shares his lived experience of being homeless and how that has informed his work to center and value lived expertise in their grantmaking strategy. #CEP2019 pic.twitter.com/Ug0Grkdffr
— Amanda Misiko Andere (@AmandaAndere) May 9, 2019
“Are we really collectively bringing our voices together? And, the voices of people without the privilege of being in the room. We can’t be afraid to share the power.” @JMGarcel #givingcircles #CEP2019
— Jen Bokoff (@jenbo1) May 9, 2019
@JMGarcel bringing the passion!
Philanthropy is not overwhelming work!!!! You know what is— having three jobs, cleaning houses, putting food on the table.
Time to be bolder. Reimagine our work. Build a table long enough and DO SOMETHING to deliver on our promises!!! pic.twitter.com/L0u1dJaaK3
— Masha Chernyak (@MashaChernyak) May 9, 2019
The @LatinoCommFdn #givingcircles led by the passion of @JMGarcel is a new model for effective philanthropy. And it works! #cep2019
— Ursula D Stewart (@stewarturs) May 9, 2019
"I want to challenge us to have the moral imagination to think about the society we want to live in 25 years from now." –@KateWolford 's q to the final #CEP2019 panel. So important to keep envisioning the future we all working to create.
— Na Eng (@NaEng123) May 9, 2019
“Every single funder needs to find a non-trivial portion of their budget to support the climate and to shore up our democratic institutions [in order to even be able to take on the rest of the issues we hope to address]” -Larry Kramer, @Hewlett_Found #CEP2019
— PACE Funders (@PACEfunders) May 9, 2019
It’s only through collaborative work that we can tackle the toughest challenges (like crises with climate and democracy). Agree with Larry Kramer from @Hewlett_Found. Also completely agree with @JMGarcel – need to include voices of those tackling problem on the ground. #CEP2019
— Pam Foster (@pamfoster31) May 9, 2019
Challenge I take home from the last plenary #cep2019 Go out, listen and find more organizations which are too often overlooked by philanthropy. And support them.
— Felix Dresewski (@felixdresewski) May 9, 2019
That’s a wrap on CEP 2019! There’s much to digest, and we look forward to continuing the conversation.
See you in Houston for #CEP2021!
Hey #CEP2019 and world, look out for us in 2021 in Houston!! #CEP2021 pic.twitter.com/YFQ5KlQ6PV
— Grace Chiang Nicolette (姜韻聲) (@GraceNicolette) May 9, 2019
For a recap of Day 2, see here.
For a recap of Day 1, see here.
Sarah Martin is writer, development and communications, at CEP.
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