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...
Programming and Communications
CEP in 135 Seconds: Debuting Our New Video
It can often be difficult to explain everything that an organization does in a succinct and easily-accessible way. This is something we’ve been thinking about for a while here at CEP. So we decided to take the plunge earlier this year to create a communications piece...
CEP 2017 Conference to Be Held in Boston
Save the date! We’re thrilled to announce that the 2017 CEP Conference will be held April 4-6, 2017 at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. CEP’s biennial national conferences bring together senior foundation leaders and major donors to engage with the most pressing...
Watch it Again: Videos from the 2015 CEP Conference Are Now Available
We’re excited to share that videos of several talks from May’s CEP Conference are now posted on our YouTube channel! During the conference and over the past month, we’ve heard from several attendees asking if we had recordings of their favorite talks so they...
What is Philanthropy For?
This post originally appeared on the President’s Blog on the Philanthropic Foundations Canada website. At a recent conference of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, Phil Buchanan, the president of CEP, posed a pointed question to the assembled foundation...
Together or Alone: Can Philanthropy Effectively Tackle Systems?
2015 CEP Conference: Thursday Recap
And just like that, the 2015 CEP Conference has come and gone! As we did with Wednesday, here’s a recap via Twitter of highlights from all of Thursday’s talks and sessions. The morning started early, but it didn’t take long for the room to perk...
2015 CEP Conference: Wednesday Recap
A whirlwind Day 1 of the 2015 CEP Conference has come to a close out here in San Francisco! A full day of programming and connecting saw colleagues catching up and sharing ideas, while four riveting plenaries discussed topics ranging from impact investing and...
New Data from CEP on Foundation Practices
Being a foundation CEO isn’t so easy if you’re going to do it well, as I noted in my last blog post. There are tough decisions to be made and today — in the opening plenary of CEP’s biennial conference in San Francisco — we at CEP will share data about three areas in...
How Do You Spend Your Time?
Early on in my days as CEP’s first chief executive officer, when we were just trying to get the organization off the ground, I visited with a CEP Board member in her office south of San Francisco. She was new to the Board and very direct. “Show me your calendar,” she...
Effective Communications and Creating Momentum for Social Change
Foundations are in the business of making the world a better place. Preserving the environment, reducing violence, and improving education are a few examples among the many philanthropic objectives that foundations may pursue. But are we applying ourselves as...
Registration for the 2015 CEP Conference is Now Open!
The CEP Conference is back – and we’re heading out west! I’m excited to share that early bird registration is officially open for CEP’s 2015 national conference in San Francisco! This year’s theme for the conference, which will be held at the InterContinental San...
Looking Back at 2013: CEP’s Detroit Conference
Phil Buchanan reflects on the past year and recalls our 2013 conference – In Search of Impact – as one of the year’s key highlights.
One Year Later, What Is the State of Grantees’ Use of Foundations’ Social Media?
Ramya Gopal provides an updated look at our research on how nonprofits are interacting—or not—with their funders’ social media efforts.
Avoiding the Perils of Surface Persuasiveness
Stephen Sullivan makes the case for taking provocative sound bites not as confrontational bait, but opportunities for thoughtful reflection and meaningful debate.
Studying Philanthropy for Its Own Sake
Phil Buchanan makes a case for philanthropy as an independent academic pursuit and lauds Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen for aiding that cause.
Announcing the Chinese Version of CEP’s “Essentials of Foundation Strategy” Report
Grace Nicolette announces the translation of CEP’s “Essentials of Foundation Strategy” report into simplified and complex Chinese.
Will What Was Said in Detroit Stay in Detroit?
Mark Russell reflects on the lessons from our conference, specifcally about the challenge of truly listening.
Documentary Paints a Bleak but Fair Picture of Detroit’s Decline
CEP Board Member Vincent Stehle gears up for the screening of “Detropia” during the May 20-22 CEP conference in Detroit, Michigan.
Countdown to the CEP Conference
Mark Russell introduces a video of CEP President Phil Buchanan sharing his thoughts on the program of our upcoming national conference, Pursuing Results: Effective Foundation Practice.