This afternoon, as we closed the doors on the final session of the CEP conference, our whirlwind three days together at CEP2023 came to an end. As you each return to your own lives, families, and work, we hope you leave us with a plethora of new ideas, tools, and...
CEP Conference
CEP2023 Day Two: Trick or Treating for Grantmakers
CEP2023 attendees brought their Halloween spirit to day two of the CEP conference, and we hit the ground running with a packed morning as author and cofounder of Candid Jacob Harold took the main stage to deliver a message of strategic abundance for philanthropy. ...
CEP2023 Day One: Philanthropy Leaders Gather in Boston
Today marked the opening day of CEP’s first conference in four years, and what a joy it was to welcome so many of you to CEP2023. This afternoon, attendees heard the debut presentation of CEP’s latest, not-yet-released research on the impact of MacKenzie...
The CEP Conference: A Retrospective and an Invitation
As our team here at the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) begins planning in earnest for our fall 2023 conference, I am reminded of the power of this gathering. There is something invaluable about coming together in person in this way: a unique time to learn...
Nonprofit Media and Exposing Injustice: How Philanthropy Can Help
From time to time, events at the highest levels of legal and political decision-making in Washington shed light on the importance of nonprofit media and the critical role of philanthropy in the support of journalism. Last week, the United States Supreme Court...
Philanthropy with a Racial Equity Lens
Centering race so that we can advance racial equity requires us to focus on both inward and outward change. At the recent CEP Conference, I presented at a session about philanthropy with a racial equity lens, during which my co-presenters and I shared examples of how...
Putting Communities in the Driver’s Seat
Almost 20 years ago, I accepted my first job in philanthropy. Right before I started, a mentor of mine asked, “Brenda, who do you think you will be accountable to when you start your new program officer job?” “My new boss,” I said immediately. “No,” he said, “Try...
Have You Heard?
There is one word that stuck with me across all of the sessions I attended at CEP’s Stronger Philanthropy conference last month, and which hitched a ride home with me as a whisper in my ear that has been present every day since. That word? Listen. Law and...
How Can You Help Us If You Don’t Know Us?
At Fund for Shared Insight, the funder collaborative I have the privilege of managing, our mission is to help foundations and nonprofits meaningfully connect with each other and with the people and communities they seek to help — and be more open to their input and...
Stronger Philanthropy: What Will It Take?
As a new fellow at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, one thing that has surprised me most is the constant advice I receive on my career in philanthropy. I am new to the sector, and thus appreciate the unique opportunity to receive thoughtful advice on my...
Taking Down the Ivory Tower a Brick at a Time
This post originally appeared on the Community Wealth Partners blog. As Grant Oliphant of the Heinz Endowments kicked off the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s 2019 conference, he reminded us of the seriousness of the time we’re in — increasing income...
An Important Window into the Foundation Boardroom
Last week, I had the pleasure of helping to lead a discussion at CEP’s biennial national conference about the critical partnership between foundation CEOs and boards. I was joined by two fantastic leaders from the Northwest Area Foundation (NWAF):...
#CEP2019 Recap: Day 3
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...
#CEP2019 Recap: Day 2
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...
#CEP2019 Recap: Day 1
And in the blink of an eye, Day 1 of the CEP 2019 Conference in Minneapolis has come to a close. Highlights included a highly interactive and engaging opening plenary with political philosopher Michael Sandel, a special Twin Cities’ welcome from...
Livestream Sessions from the CEP Conference This Week!
The 2019 Center for Effective Philanthropy Conference is finally here! If you’re one of the nearly 500 attendees joining us in Minneapolis-St. Paul tomorrow, we look forward to welcoming you to the Twin Cities. Unable to be with us? Fear not! We’re excited to share...
Does Love Scale?
The flight was delayed due to bad weather in Washington, and I found myself bumped to standby. Boarding the shuttle flight late out of Logan, coach looked full. A stewardess saw me floundering and gestured toward first class. “There’s an open seat up there,” she...
Leading from Behind to Address the Affordable Housing Crisis and Homelessness
The affordable housing crisis isn’t new. It isn’t even an “emerging” crisis. Our country has been in the midst of it for decades and neighbors in our communities who are living in poverty are suffering the most from its effects, putting them at risk of experiencing...
Shaping Policy through Advocacy: One Funder’s Story
In a way, we did things in reverse. Compared with how funders usually enter into policy work, our order of operations was the opposite. In the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation’s work on substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery, we did not start by funding...
A Changing Civic Landscape in Minnesota and Beyond
I love working in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and what is sometimes affectionately called the "Land of 10,000 Nonprofits.” We’re an increasingly diverse state with more than 100 languages spoken and home to 11 Native Nations. In Minnesota, we take pride (in our modest...