It’s been a whirlwind so far, but Day 2 of the CEP 2019 Conference is over, having brought thoughtful debate, new data to digest, and plenty of opportunities for conversation and reflection about navigating the challenges philanthropy faces in the current moment.
The morning kicked off with welcoming remarks and local funder acknowledgments from CEP President Phil Buchanan and Susie Brown, president of the Minnesota Council on Foundations. From the nexus of philanthropy and public policy, to racial equity in civic life, to overcoming political divisiveness, the day’s agenda was chock full of thoughtful conversation and insight on crucial topics. Attendees took part in the first rounds of nearly 25 breakout sessions, which included deeper dives into topics such as funder collaborations, evaluation of social change, and diversity in the philanthropic and nonprofit spaces, to name a few. Here is a sampling of the conversation from Day 2:
A warm welcome from Susie Brown, president of @FollowMCF to day 2 of #CEP2019! pic.twitter.com/9GKUbKA0Y8
— Grace Chiang Nicolette (姜韻聲) (@GraceNicolette) May 8, 2019
.@philxbuchanan setting the stage on the paradoxes of philanthropy in our time, starting with the role of foundations in influencing policy. #CEP2019
— Jessica David (@JDinRI) May 8, 2019
Following the kick off, in Day 2’s first plenary, CEP Vice President, Research, Ellie Buteau shared never-before-released CEP research that explores how funders approach influencing public policy at the national, local, and regional levels. As the nearly 500 attendees in the room digested the data, CEP Vice President of Assessment and Advisory Services Kevin Bolduc then facilitated a panel discussion among philanthropic leaders including Paul Beaudet, executive director of Wilburforce Foundation and CEP board member; Carmen Rojas, co-founder and CEO of the Workers Lab and Marguerite Casey Foundation board member; and Lorie Slutsky, president of the New York Community Trust. The discussion dug into the challenges and reluctance that often affect funder engagement in efforts to shape and influence public policy. What should be the guiding principles for funders as they consider the role of public policy in their strategies? What have been the most effective examples of public policy influence in philanthropy? These are some of the questions that both the panelists and attendees, during table discussions in small groups, explored.
“The solutions to society’s problems are constrained by the systems they reside within.” @e_buteau shares a thoughtful response from one respondent to CEP’s survey on philanthropy and policy. #CEP2019 pic.twitter.com/PGcGy9aC4g
— Jessica David (@JDinRI) May 8, 2019
Board education needed? Just 30 % of foundation CEOs believe their boards understand the legalities of policy influence very well #CEP2019 pic.twitter.com/Gw2SZRBqdr
— Phil Buchanan (@philxbuchanan) May 8, 2019
At #CEP2019 session on foundations and policy, Undue Influence or Crucial Lever, @CEPData reports 73% have increased policy efforts over past 3 years, 67% support grantees.
— Vincent Stehle (@VinceDaily) May 8, 2019
“If advocacy is a strategic pathway to your mission, embrace it.” – Paul Beaudet @WilburforceFdn #cep2019
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) (@CEPData) May 8, 2019
Being engaged in public policy efforts is a way to express a foundation‘s values #cep2019
— Felix Dresewski (@felixdresewski) May 8, 2019
After lunch, the plenary stage turned to the topic of philanthropy’s role in moving beyond political divisions. John Inazu, Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis, shared his thoughts on “confident pluralism” and how we can work to not paper over differences or immediately dismiss those with beliefs different than our own, but rather acknowledge those differences through patience, humility, and tolerance. Following Inazu’s remarks, Fay Twersky of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation moderated a thoughtful discussion with Inazu, Candice Jones of the Public Welfare Foundation, and Adam Meyerson of Philanthropy Roundtable. The discussion covered the importance of nuance, getting out of echo chambers, and not allowing high-level differences to get in the way of getting necessary work done when it is needed most.
“Be less certain, be more curious.” Thank you to @FayDTwersky for moderating such a great conversation @CEPData. #CEP2019 pic.twitter.com/XTEHjIzHJ7
— Public Welfare Fdn (@PublicWelfare) May 8, 2019
Incredibly refreshing discussion about getting good sh*t done across ideological differences #CEP2019 pic.twitter.com/ucm2nyLCoJ
— Phil Buchanan (@philxbuchanan) May 8, 2019
We try to encourage disagreement without demonization. The goal isn’t always to reach consensus but to understand each other. – Adam Meyerson, Philanthropy Roundtable, #cep2019 #strengtheningdemocracy
— Center for High Impact Philanthropy (@ImpactSP2) May 8, 2019
Ironic I’m tweeting this, but 100% agree with @JohnInazu urging to move beyond political divisions by 1) Getting out of echo chambers and 2) taking conversations offline, entering them charitably #CEP2019
— Anne Deanovic (@hotmustardpr) May 8, 2019
Later, in back-to-back breakout sessions, attendees then came together in smaller settings for conversations focused on various topics including intermediaries in philanthropy, cybersecurity, beneficiary feedback loops, evaluation, and impact investing. Since no one could be in seven different sessions at once, we’re grateful for those who tweeted highlights and key takeaways from various sessions throughout the day:
One of the coolest things about @CEPData is our grantee voice panel. This group of folks is one of many ways nonprofits directly inform our work. Here’s @e_buteau
talking about our research on nonprofit diversity #CEP2019 pic.twitter.com/lb8z8gN6kA
— Hayden Couvillion (@Hayden_Couvi) May 8, 2019
Excellent session on Foundations in policy leadershipfr the local, state and national levels!#CEP2019 pic.twitter.com/m4QE3iy75h
— Kelley D. Gulley (@Kelley_D_Gulley) May 8, 2019
“Every community has a heartbeat; every community has a rhythm.” Great breakout session conversation on effective philanthropy in rural communities #cep2019
— Ethan McCoy (@ethan_mccoy) May 8, 2019
An action-packed Day 2 concluded with an incisive and hilarious dinner plenary featuring actress and CBS Sunday Morning commentator Nancy Giles. After a thoughtful introduction by President and CEO of the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundations, Dr. Eric Jolly, Giles shared illuminating stories about her “black experience.” Giles used her unique blend of sharp commentary and wit to illustrate the ways in which we, as a nation, struggle deeply to talk about race — and how that tension informs the work of funders serving grantees and communities of color. Ending the day with both humor and thoughtfulness on tough challenges left the room with much to digest as the day concluded.
Dr. Eric Jolly from @spmcfoundations greets us and shares about the Cherokee greeting, “do you have joy?” #CEP2019 pic.twitter.com/Z7uSnpHmYy
— Grace Chiang Nicolette (姜韻聲) (@GraceNicolette) May 9, 2019
Part of the privilege of working at @CEPData is hearing absolutely amazing inspiring righteous speakers like @nancygilesnyc. #CEP2019 pic.twitter.com/Jv5DHJXWIK
— Kevin Bolduc (@kmbolduc) May 9, 2019
.@nancygilesnyc is unleashing amazing stories and laughs grounded in real, sobering challenges with race. “This is why I’m deeply in therapy right now.” I always appreciate using humor as a way to talk about really, really tough stuff. #cep2019
— Jen Bokoff (@jenbo1) May 9, 2019
Though it’s hard to believe, tomorrow is already the final day of the 2019 CEP Conference! And there’s lots more thought-provoking conversation to come. Be sure to follow along throughout the day using the hashtag #CEP2019. Several plenary sessions, including those with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Matthew Desmond and CEP President Phil Buchanan, will be livestreamed.
Sarah Martin is writer, development and communications, at CEP.
