The following is written by Nichole Martini, Co-Chair of the EPIP-NY Chapter.  EPIP is Transformative. EPIP inspires me. Through all the ways I have participated in EPIP, I have moved to a deeper understanding that there is a movement building; a movement of an entire generation of philanthropy professionals that will change the world.  EPIP serves the young in philanthropy, but also those new to its circles. Over the years, I have never found such an honest, open, and trusted circle of colleagues as I have at EPIP. The National Conference is always like a homecoming, re-connecting with those who keep returning, and embracing those who are new each year.  We are creating a passionate body of people taking on leadership challenges all throughout the country and the world with a similar commitment to work together and guide philanthropy to a new level of impact. It is through this collaboration and spirit of camaraderie that we can hold each other accountable to the values that we share for ourselves and for our sector. Read more

Job Posting: San Diego Grantmakers is hiring! San Diego Grantmakers is currently hiring for the position of Office Assistant. For more information, click here. Résumés may be sent in response to specific job openings by email to [email protected] or by fax to (858) 202-1762 for future consideration. SDG asks that applicants please do not call about open positions. Read more

We’re thrilled to partner with the Communications Network for a webinar on how we can all use the power of smart communications to empower lives. Please join us for a webinar, Smart Tech for Smart Communicators, and consider submitting a proposal to lead a breakout session at our 2013 conference in New Orleans.  All of the details are below.  We hope you’ll join us! Smart Tech for Smart Communicators Wednesday, April 17, 11:30 am PDT/2:30 pm EDT Do you find it hard — even intimidating — to keep up with all the fast-changing digital tools available to do your jobs? If so, you’re not alone. It often seems that new ones pop up every day. With many of them available for free, the choices can be overwhelming. But, fortunately, there are organizations out there like the Sunlight Foundation who make it their business to stay on the bleeding edge of web/mobile tools that help them do their work better. That’s why for this webinar, we’ve invited Liz Bartolomeo, the foundation’s media director, to give us an overview of what she calls “Smart Tech for Smart Communicators.” Read more

It should come as no surprise to you, our EPIP members, that foundations place great emphasis on evaluation.  When done correctly, evaluation can demonstrate that a project or program worked, but also show where there is room for improvement. We have designed the 2013 EPIP National Conference evaluation form with these concepts in mind. Please fill out the form while the conference is still fresh in your mind.  Doing so will help us to make improvements and adjustments to deliver more unique and effective programming. With heartfelt thanks, EPIP HQ Read more

EPIP Boston is thrilled to offer our community two new programs that provide opportunities for leadership within the chapter and deeper engagement with fellow members. The Ambassador program offers committed EPIP Boston members a greater level of involvement with driving chapter operations. Ambassadors work with Steering Committee officers who oversee our programming, membership, and communications functions to help EPIP fulfill its mission of providing professional development and networking opportunities to philanthropic practitioners working in the Boston metropolitan area...

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EPIP Bay Area is hosting an upcoming program – Evaluating Your Impact – that will be offered in BOTH San Francisco and Menlo Park. Please make sure you register for the correct location! Here are the details and RSVP links for both: San Francisco Tuesday, April 9 5:30pm – 7:30pm The Foundation Center – SF, 312 Sutter, Suite 606, San Francisco, CA 94108 Register HERE Update: The 2013 EPIP Conference Debrief Reflection and Social that was to follow the SF workshop has been postponed. Due to a successful 2013 EPIP Conference ending this past weekend, most of the attendees returned home and are playing catch up while others continued onto the Council on Foundations conference in Chicago. We will reschedule this event to a later date and look forward to sharing reflections and updates at that time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Look out for future communications about the rescheduled date. Menlo Park Wednesday, April 10 5:30pm – 7:30pm The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation – 2121 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025 Register HERE Read more

In early February 2013, five members of EPIP Boston attended the EPIP National Professional Development Fund Conference held in San Francisco, below are their reflections. Those who attended were Jessica Baylor, EPIP Boston member; Nakisha Lewis, EPIP Boston Co-chair; Hehershe Busuego, EPIP Boston Steering Committee member; Andrea Forsht, EPIP Boston Steering Committee member; and Marie-Frances Rivera, EPIP Boston member

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Congratulations, Daniel Lee! EPIP member and Executive Director of the Levi Strauss Foundation, Daniel Lee, will be an award recipient at the National Center for Responsive Philanthropy 2013 Impact Awards.  The cocktail reception and presentation will be held on Monday, April 8th from 6-8PM at the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago.  If you’re in town for the COF conference, you are welcome to attend.  RSVP: [email protected].  More details here: www.ncrp.org/impact-awards.   Other EPIP-COF Conference Events: The Henry Hampton Award for DETROPIA on Saturday, April 6th from 8:30 – 10:30PM, at which Rahsaan Harris, EPIP’s ED, will be speaking. Drinks, dessert, dancing, and conversation. The Philanthropy Without Borders Party: Going Beyond the Usual Suspects Sponsored by D5 and hosted by the Council on Foundations and EPIP, on Monday, April 8th from 9:00 – 11:00PM. Read more

EPIP and JAG (the Joint Affinity Groups) are proud to announce the launch of Wit and Wisdom, a blogging collaboration. Featuring a monthly entry from individuals within our networks, it will highlight thought leadership about philanthropy, racial/social equity, and multigenerational change. Its lightening-hot interviews, essays, and case studies aim to provoke insightful discussion. The blog is jointly hosted on the EPIP and JAG websites. The writers are members of EPIP, JAG partners, and staff who are building awareness of the best ways to change the face of philanthropy. It’s a platform that gives new leaders a chance to lift up their own voices, where EPIP and JAG members have a means to explore the conversation on equity, multigenerationalism, and social change together. A successful collaboration will also engage the field and help transform philanthropy. Stay tuned for our first content piece, a reflection on EPIP’s people of color gathering, in just a few days! And find us at the EPIP conference and the Council on Foundations conference in Chicago, starting next week! Founded in 1993, JAG is a national network of six identity-based affinity groups of grantmaking professionals that pursues more equitable funding for all communities. EPIP, now 12 years old, develops extraordinary new leaders to enhance organized philanthropy and its impact on communities.   Read more

Check out our program book (PDF, 2.4mb) to see another reason why you should come to the 2013 EPIP National Conference in Chicago April 4th – 6th. Make an investment in your own professional development. Or send a colleague that you know would benefit. March 28th is the last day to register online (on-site registrations will be available thereafter). You can email [email protected] before Friday to access the special rate for staying at the Chicago Hilton. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago! Read more