EPIP News & Events

Field Notes From a Spacious Summer

On a recent chapter leader call, we reflected on the seeming audacity of seeing Halloween decor already out in the world. It feels like we blinked and catapulted from our incredible convening in New Orleans to the end of summer. 

Across our membership, we’ve heard about multiple organizations incorporating spaciousness at an organizational level this summer - from week-long office closures, to summer Fridays, to encouraging team members to take extended breaks. We’re thrilled to see so many organizations creating a pace that allows staff to feel whole and supported while still doing the vital work of mobilizing resources to communities and movements who are working so hard to sustain and change our world to be more equitable. 

Amidst our spacious summer here at EPIP, we’ve still been bringing our influence to the field and making connections for our members. In June, we hosted an emerging practitioner space at Hispanics in Philanthropy; in July, our program team hosted the Unity Philanthropy Forum’s pre-conference workshop for emerging practitioners. We joined PEAK Grantmaking’s staff meeting to share our learnings from one year of adopting a formal 4-day work week, and last week, we attended the Policy Link summit in Atlanta! And of course, we’ve been supporting chapters who are hosting some of their most vibrant and energizing gatherings since before 2020. 

As we look towards incorporating all of our learnings and success this year, we’re grateful for the pace we were able to maintain this summer as we gear up for fall. We’re engaging Mandala Change Group for our strategic framework process, we’re looking ahead to 2025 which is our 25th anniversary year, and we’re bringing our signature programs and workshops to the field to continue building the capacity of emergent leaders in philanthropy. May we all transition the seasons with ease and intention and keep our cups full from the spaciousness of a slower summer pace!

Attendee Reflections from EPIP 2024

The feedback we have gathered from EPIP 2024 attendees has been deeply valuable, and will serve as a guide for future EPIP programming. We were also grateful to two attendees, Grace Savage Loughborough and Candace Burton, who shared more about their experiences at the conference for the EPIP Blog. 

Read their takeaways. 

Registration is Open for the Fall 2024 Cohort of Philanthropology

In order to use philanthropy to drive social change, it is crucial that new practitioners in the sector understand its context, history, and challenges. Philanthropology™ is EPIP's signature curriculum that responds to this need with an in-depth critical study of philanthropy through a social justice lens that includes academic and practitioner perspectives. 

The Philanthropology™ curriculum includes 9 hours of synchronous virtual sessions spread over several weeks supplemented by reading materials, videos, and reflection activities. Participants learn the landscape and history of the philanthropic sector and dig into concepts like intersectionality, movement building, grantmaking with an equity lens, and strategies for putting this knowledge into practice.

Fall 2024 Cohort dates:

Module 1: Philanthropy History, Ecosystem, and Evolution

• Wednesday, September 25 from 10 a.m. - 1  p.m. PST 

Module 2: Racial Equity and Equity Analysis in Grantmaking

• Wednesday, October 9 from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm PST 

Module 3: Self-Advocacy and Personal Leadership

• Wednesday, October 23  from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm PST

The last three Philanthropology cohorts have sold out so don’t delay, register now!

Member Registration Investment: $325 | Member registration is now open here.

General Registration Investment: $500 | General registration is now open here.

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 next People of Color Network gathering is coming up! Join us for “Table Talks & Peer Coaching: Cultivating Abundance Together” on September 24 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST. Learn more and register. 
• 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. The latest cohort just wrapped up. Stay tuned for the next cohort announcement! 

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

Chapter News & Events 

EPIP DC | Happy Hour

Meet the new EPIP DC steering committee and connect with philanthropy colleagues at the upcoming EPIP DC Happy Hour! Guests are invited to bring along fellow folks in philanthropy who are interested in learning more about membership with EPIP and getting involved in the local philanthropic community. 

Learn more and register.

EPIP CO | Coffee Chat: Building Power Through Storytelling

Join EPIP Colorado for an in-person coffee chat to continue our conversations around building power. This meeting will focus on surfacing stories and themes about our experience as emerging philanthropic professionals in Colorado and inform an upcoming program we’re planning in partnership with local foundation CEOs. Our goal is to create a more welcoming and supportive environment in philanthropy in Colorado, with diverse staff creating an equitable future.

Get more information and register.

Emerging Leaders Mixer with Grantmakers in the Arts and EPIP Chicago Chapter

As part of the 2024 Grantmakers in the Arts Conference, EPIP Chicago chapter members are invited to a mixer designed to connect emerging leaders in philanthropy from across the nation. Co-hosted by GIA and EPIP Chicago, this event provides a collaborative environment for networking and relationship-building that will help shape the future of philanthropy. Whether you’re just starting in the field or bringing fresh perspectives to your work, this space is for you.

RSVP is required to attend, register today!

EPIP LA’s Practitioners of Color Group (PCG) - Fall into Community Mixer

Join EPIP LA for a vibrant Meet and Greet with fellow philanthrofolks of color! Cultivate connections and enjoy drinks and snacks together to celebrate the start of fall. 

Learn more and register.

Sector News & Events 

Save the Date! Funders for LGBTQ Issues Funding Forward 2025

Funders for LGBTQ Issues is proud to announce that Funding Forward 2025 is coming to Houston, Texas from March 31 – April 3 with March 31 being a pre-session day! Funding Forward is the annual gathering of grantmakers committed to LGBTQ issues organized by the affinity group Funders for LGBTQ Issues. 

Learn more about Funding Forward.

What We’re Reading, Watching & Listening To

• Navigating Courage: Black Women Redefining the Landscape of Equity and Racial Justice - The Giving Practice 
• Leading the Charge for Disability Justice in Philanthropy - PEAK Grantmaking 
• Remember with Rickke Mananzala - Freedom Dreams in Philanthropy
• Experiments in Liberation: Notes on Mourning and Metamorphosis - Maegan Scott
• Threats to Federal Funding are Looming - Health & Environmental Funders Network, The Funders Network & Neighborhood Funders Group

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! 

• Controller - Bush Foundation, St. Paul, MN
• HR Coordinator - The California Wellness Foundation, Los Angeles or Oakland, CA
• Executive Assistant and Communications Coordinator - The California Wellness Foundation, Los Angeles or Oakland, CA

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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