This is an interview with Nicole Gulotta, a member of the steering committee of EPIP-LA.  In this interview, she shares how the LA chapter developed a mentorship program for their members and the process they developed to select both mentees and mentors.   The EPIP-LA chapter steering committee developed a mentorship program for their members. What motivated the group to put together a mentorship program? As the EPIP-LA chapter continued to grow, members of the steering committee noticed a gap between where members were and where they wanted to go. A strong mentorship program that valued both peer relationships and the one-on-one guidance from seasoned professionals seemed like a wonderful addition to the philanthropy landscape in Los Angeles, and would help EPIP-LA members navigate their careers with confidence.   With the second cohort recently put together, can you tell me more about how you selected mentors and mentees for this round of the mentoring program? Mentees are selected from a strong pool of eager applicants. Although the steering committee plays a role, one of the hallmarks of the program is its flexibility for the mentees themselves, so we look for self-starters, enthusiasm, and strategic thinking. Because the program is still relatively new, we’re always looking for ways to improve our process and offerings, and look to each cohort to help refine it for future participants. It’s a very hands-on program, and the cohorts have a chance to help shape it.   How will the impact of this experience be measured for those […] Read more

Through its Mentorship Program, EPIP LA aims to provide participants with the tools needed to seek out and develop meaningful connections with experienced leaders and their peers. Last year, EPIP LA successfully piloted its mentorship program. We’re excited to announce the program’s second year cohort...

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Webinar Recap: Facilitation: Tools of the Trade 

Wednesday, December 3, 2014 

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During a recent visit to the Southeastern Council of Foundations Annual Meeting EPIP Executive Director Rahsaan Harris came across friend and colleague Elizabeth (Betsey) Russell, who was launching her first book – Other People’s Money ­– a mystery set in the heart of the foundation world. While fiction isn’t something we usually read in conjunction with philanthropy, it made us wonder: can fiction about foundations make readers think about foundations differently? What about the foundations themselves? We caught up with the author to get her take. You recently wrote a book called Other People’s Money. Can you give us a brief synopsis? Sure! Other People’s Money is the story of Katie Nelson, a program officer in Atlanta’s largest foundation. She really wants the foundation to fund a Latina health clinic, but meets strong opposition from the board. She begins to work closely with one particular younger board member (yes, romantic interest) to help revamp the clinic’s proposal, but then the whole clinic burns to the ground, killing a woman who was trapped inside. Everyone thinks it was a hate crime, but Katie senses something different. The more she explores, the more she realizes that many of the people she trusts are not who they seem. Eventually, she finds her own life in danger. Where did you get the inspiration for this book? I’ve been writing for foundations for 25 years, but always in the nonfiction/professional communications vein. I got my first taste of foundation fiction when I wrote some hypothetical […] Read more

Thanks to all our members and friends who participated in EPIP’s #GivingTuesday event, by making a donation and coming out to party with us at No. 8! We are happy to announce that the winner of our crowdsourced poll is Community Voices Heard – which will receive $500. Additionally, we are pleased to share with you that EPIP NY has graciously offered to donate their share of the proceeds ($250) to the Ferguson Public Library in a gesture of support and solidarity for a community in need. This is an extraordinary act of leadership in action and a demonstration of collective impact. Go EPIP NY! Inspiration continues to run rampant at EPIP HQ. Furthermore, Dream Defenders will receive a $250 donation from EPIP’s own Executive Director, Rahsaan Harris, who was moved to get involved personally to make a difference. Do you hear that? It’s the sound of our CALL TO ACTION! Don’t stop now. Keep #GivingTuesday going all month long. Make your own donation to any of these organizations, or one close to your heart. We want you to tweet us to show you donated (@epipnational) and demonstrate our collective impact. Click to donate: Community Voices Heard (crowdsource winner) City Harvest (nominee) Ali Forney Center (nominee) Dream Defenders Ferguson Public Library   What a great example of #EPIPLeaders demonstrating their MC MaL Leadership & Management Skills and Influencing & Fundraising Skills!           Read more

Yesterday marked the 59th anniversary of the start of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.  On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to surrender her seat to a white passenger.  Rosa Parks sitting on that bus looking out the window is one of the iconic images from the Civil Rights Movement...

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Southern philanthropy is rooted in a rich history and strong traditions. Without a doubt, one of the best traditions is that of building connections — not just between foundations and grantees, or foundations and communities, but between generations of leaders. As practitioners, we know that connections matter. And more specifically, connections matter when it comes to creating leaders. Leaders are made when those with passion are mentored by those who’ve been there – whether it’s knowledge shared from one generation to the next or a conversation between peers. These kinds of connections reinforce timeless truths, but they also spark new ideas between leaders and pave the way for their adoption among other leaders. In fact, if you think a network of followers is a powerful thing, just consider what a network of leaders can do. We think about that every day. While many organizations devote resources to making connections, or to creating leaders, both the Southeastern Council of Foundations and Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy have focused on making connections specifically to help existing and emerging leaders flourish. At SECF, leaders connect by participating in the Hull Fellows Program for rising leaders, or as mentors for Hull Fellows, or in the Advanced Leadership Institute for mid-career leaders, or even through the intimate network of a CEO Forum. EPIP members connect with fellow rising leaders by launching and growing vibrant EPIP chapters throughout the country, by participating in professional development programs, and – perhaps most importantly – by practicing servant leadership as […] Read more

This December, EPIP is highlighting the Measuring a Leader skills of Leadership and Management. Social change leaders: Direct individuals or groups to accomplish desired results; Delegate appropriately, allocating resources as needed; Emulate exemplary individual behavior and ethics; and Coach others when appropriate.

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Webinar Recap: The Future of Philanthropy: A Closer Look at Youth Grantmaking

Wednesday, November 19, 2014  

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This guest post was authored by Ryan Ginard. Ryan is a Steering Committee member of the San Diego Chapter of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy and will be talking about civic technology in philanthropy at the 2015 SXSW Conference in Austin. It is widely agreed that modern philanthropy is comprised of an individuals time, talent and treasure. What has not yet been agreed to however is how the non-financial measures of this equation are calculated and how those skills are cultivated to either maximize their ongoing impact or get to a point where those volunteers become regular financial donors. How can we identify and develop talent concurrently with their propensity to give? When should we ask volunteers to give and how much should we ask for? And one of the most painful recurring questions for nonprofits, how do we get our board members to give? Answers lie in the ability to track each step in someone’s civic evolution placed against a corresponding set of measures identifying the differing levels of participation. There are five steps to becoming a civic leader; 1. Learn – Attend meetings, get connected. 2. Support – Volunteer for a cause or organization. 3. Influence – Share your passion with personal networks to create more awareness for the cause and recruit new supporters. 4. Give – Give financially to your cause. 5. Lead – Organize a community movement or project. The different needs of nonprofits necessitate a flexible scale to guide this “evolution” and calculate any eventual financial ask. Understanding […] Read more