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.

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.

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.

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. 

As we move into the last quarter of 2020, we are looking back at how philanthropy has responded to the needs of the year….

• Shifting Practices, Sharing Power? How the US philanthropic sector is responding to the 2020 crises, released by the Council on Foundations, Dalberg Advisors, and Philanthropy California, found that while many institutions shifted their philanthropic practices in response to the needs of 2020 by increasing giving and adopting flexible grantmaking, few are shifting power by changing internal processes or moving for broader systemic change.
• A Candid blog post calls for greater transparency in COVID-19 funding after finding that “Unknown Recipient” and “Multiple Recipients” were the top two recipients of COVID-19 funding and many COVID funds have not shared details about the recipients of their funding.

...learning from the organizations and movements in philanthropy that are taking new approaches to their work to meet the current moment, and enjoying the resources that are inspiring EPIP chapters across the country.

The EPIP LA Chapter is now recruiting Steering Committee members. Below are more details about responsibilities, opportunities, and how to apply. The role of the Steering Committee is to provide leadership among philanthropic practitioners in the Los Angeles community by providing innovative programming, networking, and professional development opportunities. In line with EPIP LA’s mission, the Steering Committee aims to empower emerging leaders and elevate philanthropic practice in order to build a more just, equitable and sustainable world.

Applications are due by Friday, October 18, 2019. If you're interested in building your leadership skills and engaging with the EPIP community in a deeper way, please submit an application online.

We celebrated Black Philanthropy Month with words of wisdom from Black leaders in the sector (and a few thoughts on what philanthropy can learn from Black giving)...

• Leaders from around the sector, including EPIP ED Storme Gray, shared their perspectives on Black women's leadership in philanthropy in a Radical Generosity: Black Women in Philanthropy Twitter Chat.
• Andrea Caupain Sanderson, Michelle Merriweather, Angela Jones, and T’wina Nobles told The Seattle Times that “philanthropy is long overdue for a healthy dose of Blackness” and share how they are bringing a new model of Black philanthropy to the Seattle area.
• Nikki Kirk suggested “a values shift” and “an investment in leaders” as a way to support Black artists and communities on the Grantmakers in the Arts blog. 
• Toya Randall, Curator and Catalyst for Voice. Vision. Value. Black Women Leading Philanthropy, a new digital narrative project housed at Foundation for Louisiana, introduced the project with these words: "We use our voices in spaces of power to center the lived experiences of Black people. We do this in furtherance of our vision for justice."

...thought back on the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July, and looked at how leaders and communities are (or are not) encouraged and supported.

Looking to learn or build community? EPIP chapters across the country are hosting conversations, social events, happy hours, community check-ins and more! 

Coming up in August (all times local as noted):

• Wednesday, August 19th, at 4:00 PM Pacific: EPIP Seattle Rant & Refresh - Join EPIP Seattle's monthly virtual happy hour to chat about philanthropy and, this month, about how you want the chapter to engage for the remainder of the year. BYOBackground!
• Thursday, August 20th, at 12:00 PM Central: Lunch with Minnesota Philanthrofolk - Join EPIP Minnesota for informal conversation and networking over lunch. All are welcome!
• Thursday, August 27th, at 11:00 AM Pacific: Let's Talk Democracy: Exploring the election and what you can do now! - Join EPIP Bay Area for a virtual panel on Thursday, August 27, 2020 from 11 am-12 pm. Emily Thielmann, Program Director of the Democracy Funders Network and Carla Bernal, Program Associate on the Hewlett Foundation's US Democracy team will discuss what they are learning from their work on the 2020 election and how everyone can be a part of building and inclusive and equitable democracy.
• Thursday, August 27th, at 5:30 PM Eastern: Summer Jam 2020 (EPIP NY) - All chapters and EPIPpers welcome for an EPIP New York Summer Jam featuring DJ Prototype and DJ Tony Tantrum. Escape for an hour or so with good music and community!
• Friday, August 28th, at 5:00 PM Eastern: EPIP Philly Virtual Happy Hour - Join EPIP Philly for their bi-weekly space for joy, connection, and sharing your thoughts on all things philanthropy. 

Plus, Sankofa Summer continues, EPIP is hiring a Director of Programs, and there are new opportunities to support devastated Iowa communities and Black women in leading philanthropy!

"Vote like your life depends on it" -Michelle Obama. These wise words, spoken to us by our forever First Lady, Michelle Obama, should not be taken lightly. EPIP NY is inviting you to help get out the vote in the upcoming November election.

We are joining Reclaim Our Vote to reach out to people in key states to encourage them to register to vote. Volunteers will receive a package with everything needed to write and mail postcards to potential voters with information on how to register. To volunteer, please email your mailing address so that you can receive the script, a set of 30 postcards, stamps, and labels.