The title of this month’s blog is indicative of the umbrella theme of this year’s Council on Foundation Annual Conference: The Future of Community. The quote is more accurately credited to two slam poets of Split this Rock, and in my opinion,  their words rekindled the core message of philanthropic funders and agents of social change from across the world who stand at the forefront of innovation, explore creative ways to advance the common good, and find solutions for complex issues in society.

Refueling our cup of Inspiration & Knowledge

It is professional gatherings like these that provide stretch and inspiration to the work of CivicAIM. To be among 400 grantmaking entities, scholars, researchers, and just plain wickedly, thoughtful practitioners from across the world was a philanthropy wonk’s dream come true. The conference and its networking provided opportune time for purposeful exchange of ideas, peer reporting and reflection on strategies dedicated toward achieving the greatest impact, and a bird’s eye view of social sector trends. The focus of the 72-hour gathering was to promote best practices so that one day these might become common practices of action and influence for social good.

Similar to what CivicAIM preaches to its clients to invest in continuous learning, we take this practice to heart so our practices and counsel strengthen and add value to both our clientele, and the field of grantmaking.

Intriguing conference take-aways to incorporate in your Grantmaking Practice

Captured below are a few highlights of knowledge gleaned and resources worth taking into consideration for your own journey of effective and intentional grantmaking:

• Say it with me, “Don’t collect, what you cannot protect.” This is the mantra led by Lucy Bernholz, Senior Research Scholar, Stanford University Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society. With data and its collection (and use) as a critical element to philanthropy, Bernholz unveiled the recent launch of Digital Civil Society Lab’s website, digitalIMPACT.io. Learn, engage, and build upon your organization’s practices on how can nonprofits and foundations govern and use digital data ethically, safely, and effectively.

• Calling all advocacy grantmakers — newcomers and veterans alike — LearnFoundationLaw.org, is the first-of-its-kind, free resource for private foundations to learn the basic legal rules for private foundations. Maya, the online program officer, leads participants through interactive courses and takes the daunting nature of advocacy and lobbying into bite-size practical modules for funders and professional staff.

• The call for greater collaboration has been a persistent drumbeat in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector, and in keeping with the band metaphor, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) doesn’t shy away from the role of drum major, helping guide funders toward being better collaborators. GEO’s recent publication of, Building Collaboration From the Inside Out, focuses on the internal conditions and environments that enable successful collaborations. This is a must-read for organizations serious about setting and supporting the tone for collaboration.

• And finally, a professional group, The National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers (NNCG) of which I am proud to join their membership roll call. NNCG is a network of experienced professionals consultants serving grantmakers. NNCG is a capacity-builder in every facet as it helps consultants, much like CivicAIM, elevate our work, expand knowledge and inform the field of philanthropy. I had the fortunate opportunity to participate in NNCG’s Annual Meeting while in DC and stand impressed of the network’s unwavering commitment and thought leadership to advancing the social sector.

These are only but a few of the many gems of knowledge and networking taken from my participation at the Council on Foundation’s conference. I hope in some small way they may spur inspiration in your own practice, and more importantly, add breath to the world you’ve been preaching about.  –Erica V. Ekwurzel