Building a More Just, Equitable, and Sustainable Future

On Election Day, millions of Americans made their voices heard, choosing democracy over demagoguery in the largest voter turnout in over a century. Still, for those hoping for a widespread repudiation of the politics of hate and fear, this victory is tempered by the deep division that exists throughout the country. Many Americans voted for a presidential candidate who has spent the past four years enacting harmful immigration policies, attempting to stifle and demonize racial justice movements, limiting rights for the LGBTQ community, and more. So while we celebrate the outcome and champion the movement work that brought more people to the polls than we’ve seen in our lifetimes, we recognize that even a moment of victory is but a moment. It will require continuous forward movement and conscious effort to create long-lasting change. We still have work to do.

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EPIP LA is thrilled to announce that it is accepting applications for its eighth year of the Mentorship Program. Through its Mentorship Program, EPIP LA aims to provide participants with the tools needed to develop and maintain meaningful connections with experienced leaders and their peers. 

The EPIP LA Mentorship program connects emerging leaders in the philanthropic field with a seasoned leader to serve as a mentor and like-minded peers to support them on their journey. 

Participants meet to discuss their individual professional interests and brainstorm potential matches. The Steering Committee assists in matching each participant with a mentor in the field who is available to meet on a regular basis for the year (approximately four meetings total). On alternate months, the cohort of mentees meets to discuss their professional challenges, progress on personal goals, and to share learning from their mentor relationships. Participants need to be available at least once a month for the duration of the program.

To apply for the 2021 Mentorship Program cohort, click here. Applications are due by Friday, December 18, 2020. Applicants must be available to participate in an evening group interview during the second week of January (tentatively January 15th) and willing to commit to the full year of the program if selected.

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As the election nears, we are thinking about what comes next for the sector’s conversations on race and equity…

• EPIP joined with a number of other philanthropic institutions in signing an open letter from Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR), Philanthropy Must Confront Our Country’s History of Racist Immigration Policies. 
• A new report from Building Movement Project, On the Frontlines: Nonprofits Led by People of Color Confront COVID-19 and Structural Racism, finds that POC-led nonprofits are bracing for future moments of crisis and filling gaps left by government programs, while the work is taking a toll on their leaders, especially those who are women of color.

…looking at ways that grantmaking practices will continue to be impacted by this tumultuous year, and enjoying the resources shared this month by EPIP chapters.

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October is full of great EPIP chapter events! Whether you're looking to prep for the election, learn from a philanthropic leader, or take a deeper look at police reform and abolition, we've got you covered. And if you're looking to connect? Join EPIP Chicago for a coffee chat and EPIP New York for a virtual mixer that will be unlike most things you've seen online so far.

We're also excited about the work of our partners - the W.K. Kellogg Foundation is awarding $90 million to drive equity, Funders for LGBTQ issues is holding a conversation with Black queer and trans leaders, and we have partnered with the Goodman Center in a report on best practices for virtual work and avoiding Zoom fatigue. 

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