A Message from EPIP’s Board Chair Emeritus and Board Chair

Dear EPIP Community,

This past year has been one of unprecedented shifts in the world, as our communities grapple with threats to our democracy here and abroad, attacks on the great work to advance racial, gender, and economic justice, and ongoing assaults on human rights around the globe paid for by many of those with power in philanthropy and government.

In the midst of all of this turmoil, EPIP continues to be a shining light and a north star for us. This community has demonstrated insurmountable courage to ensure that philanthropic institutions and efforts not only remain steadfast in their commitments to advance justice, but deepen those investments.

We both joined EPIP’s board in June of 2019. We have watched Storme and this staff weather incredible shifts through the COVID-19 pandemic and the multiple pandemics surrounding it. And despite the turmoil in the world, Storme has remained accountable to the vision so many of us share, leading us towards EPIP finally becoming a standalone 501c3 after almost two decades of fiscal sponsorship. As individuals who have been witness to her inimitable leadership and the staff’s talent and commitment, as well as the love that this incredible community has seeded, it has been deeply humbling to witness this transition.

When I humbly accepted the role of Board Chair in early 2020, I could not have imagined the significant historical inflection points yet to unfold which would ultimately serve to anchor EPIP’s mission and vision. Furthermore, as a longtime EPIP member, I always looked forward to the day the organization would stand on its own, no longer constrained by the limitations of fiscal sponsorship. Under Storme’s thoughtful and powerful leadership, and with support from talented staff and a dynamic board of directors, EPIP has firmly assumed its role as an independent changemaking institution in the philanthropic sector. If its past accomplishments are prologue to its current impact, the sector should expect EPIP to remain at the forefront of transformational change for years to come.

It is my pleasure to announce that Maheen Kaleem, Vice President of Programs and Operations at Grantmakers for Girls of Color, will now be serving as EPIP’s Board Chair. As Vice Chair, Maheen was a true partner and I have no doubt that she will continue to champion the great work of this community and be a support for Storme and the rest of the staff. It is with great honor that I pass the baton to my dear friend, colleague, and co-conspirator.

This year, our work will focus on continuing to support this transition, crystallizing EPIP’s strategic framework, and bringing on an incredible new slate of board members to support these efforts.

In addition to Storme and staff, I also want to thank EPIP leaders of the past for bringing us to this moment. In particular, I want to acknowledge EPIP’s founder, Rusty Stahl, and all past executive directors, staff, and board members for their commitment to the mission to empower emerging leaders and elevate philanthropic practice in order to build a more just, equitable and sustainable world. 

We cannot wait to be all together again, and to celebrate EPIP’s first in-person convening since Storme became President and CEO. We hope you can join us in New Orleans June 3-5. 

In Community,

Anthony “Tony” Simmons, Board Chair Emeritus

Maheen Kaleem, Board Chair

EPIP News & Events

What to Expect at EPIP 2024

We recently released our full conference agenda for EPIP 2024: Reconnect, Revive and Rise! As you explore the agenda, you’ll see that EPIP 2024 isn’t your average professional conference: we know that the best learning happens when you feel connected and in community, when your full humanity is affirmed, and when you’re able to bring your complete identity to your professional spaces. 

So what can you expect this June in New Orleans? 

• Healing spaces - since 2016, EPIP has featured identity-based healing spaces with the guidance of Erika Totten at Unchained Visioning. We are thrilled to have Erika’s gifted team of healers join us in New Orleans for facilitated spaces of healing for Black folks, non-Black people of color, and white-identifying conference attendees.
• Meaningful programming - attendees will be able to attend the following main-stage plenaries whether in-person or joining us virtually: Black and Indigenous Solidarity in New Orleans; Philanthropy Won’t Break my Soul; Harnessing Philanthropic Courage for an Uncertain Future. You’ll also have a selection of amazing breakout sessions on topics including trust based philanthropy, landback and reparations, what AI means for the future of equitable philanthropy, prioritizing healing and rest, and much more! 
• Connection over content - with opportunities to connect with your peers via region and role, and affinity spaces hosted by our peers at Hispanics in Philanthropy and Funders for LGBTQ Issues, there are ample opportunities to build and sustain connections that will carry you through your philanthropic career.
• Engaging extras - we’ll celebrate all that New Orleans has to offer with a welcome reception at the New Orleans African American Museum in the historic Tremé neighborhood, a night market featuring local makers and artisans brought right to our hotel, and an opportunity to support a local Black-owned community bookseller through the EPIP Café.

We can’t wait to connect with all of you June 3-5! Register today to save your spot, space is limited. And don’t forget that if you can’t join us in person, all of our plenaries and a select number of breakout sessions will be available virtually! 

We'll be continuing to add more great content and speakers in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for even more incredible learning and connection opportunities. 

Communities of Practice

EPIP’s Communities of Practice give emerging professionals a space to grow, learn, and connect with their peers. Available Communities of Practice are:

• The People of Color Network: The People of Color Network (PCN) is a professional development and peer support network for EPIP members who identify as people of color. The PCN is designed to address the intersections of challenges and opportunities that are unique to emerging people of color in the sector. The spaces we provide, whether in person or virtual, are places where we hope you can show up in your wholeness to connect, vent, share strategies with peers, and learn key skills. 

• The Emerging Women of Color Community of Practice: The Emerging Women of Color (EWOC) community of practice was launched in 2022, focused on leadership development and network weaving for early- and mid-career women of color in philanthropy. Created in response to member requests, this community provides leadership development through the lens of race and gender. It also works to connect early-career women of color with a network of peers so that it takes less effort to ‘find your people’ in the field.

• White Affinity Community of Practice: EPIP launched this space in 2021 to provide a rigorous and supportive environment for members who identify as white to deepen their knowledge of antiracism and develop skills and strategies to advance racial equity and inclusive leadership practices in philanthropy, unpack and process the harmful effects of white privilege and white supremacy culture including how both show up within individuals and institutions, and discuss shared challenges and experiences. 

Contact [email protected] with any questions or to express interest in getting involved as a facilitator for future sessions.

EPIP Chapter Updates

Join EPIP Los Angeles for an Upcoming Happy Hour!

Folks in our California community are invited to an in-person happy hour co-hosted by EPIP Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Giving Circle.

Guests will be able to meet members of the EPIP LA community and learn about programs and events that promote leadership development and relationship building among colleagues who share a vision of creating a more equitable and inclusive philanthropic sector. 

Get the details and register today!

Join a Chapter Steering Committee

EPIP’s Chicago and Washington, DC chapters are recruiting volunteers to join their steering committees! EPIP’s member-led chapters are critical to realizing our collective vision for philanthropy. If you are interested in creating spaces for members to connect, learn about the sector, develop inclusive leadership skills, and “find their people,” chapter leadership is for you! 

Click here to access the application.

Sector News & Events

Sign up for the Funder Organizing Intensive

Registration is now open for Funders for Justice’s ‘Funder Organizing Intensive.’ The Intensive aims to introduce and equip emerging philanthropic leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary to advance equitable and just philanthropic practices that are in alignment with BIPOC-led movements to end criminalization. Through an exploration of the history and culture of philanthropy, intersections of power, and movements to end criminalization, participants will gain a foundational understanding of the complex systems at play in our collective work. They will also learn about the critical distinctions between philanthropic advocacy and funder organizing, and the strategic purpose of power mapping in advancing an organizing goal. By participating, you'll be part of an engaging and empowering experience that will not only strengthen your approach to philanthropy but also drive transformative change within your institutions and the entire philanthropic sector. Prior participation in an FFJ program is a prerequisite for joining this cohort.  

Learn more and register here.

Webinar Opportunity: ”Understanding Militarism and US Funding of the Genocide in Palestine”

Neighboorhood Funders Group invites to you a webinar, “Understanding Militarism and US Funding of the Genocide in Palestine” on May 16 at 10 a.m. PST. Participants in the webinar will build collective understanding of current organizing to end the genocide in Palestine. Presenters will discuss how to organize as philanthropy to not just continue resourcing and supporting BIPOC-led community organizing, but to also be sure to include the movement groups rising up against US imperialism, particularly Palestinian-led organizing efforts in the US attempting to end the genocide.

Learn more and register now.

AAPIP Sips featuring OiYan Poon, Author of Asian American is Not a Color: Conversations on Race, Affirmative Action, and Family

Join Asian American / Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy for a virtual, intimate conversation with author and researcher OiYan Poon on defining Asian American identities after the Supreme Court ruling on race-conscious college admissions.

Get more details and register today.

Job Board 

Looking for a new opportunity?

The positions below are just the beginning. Check our Job Board for more opportunities from around the country! 

• Program Manager, Development - Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, Washington, DC
• Program Manager, Partnerships - Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, Washington, DC
• Senior Advancement Officer - NDN Collective, Remote
• Manager of Financial Management and Data Analysis - Arabella Advisors - Washington, DC, remote available

Want to explore the Job Board's filters and special features? Log in to your member account or join EPIP today!

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