In Our Own Words
Reflections from our Executive Director, Storme Gray
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I am reflecting on what it means to be a Black woman leading in philanthropy, particularly at this moment in our history. Watching the hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman nominated into the supreme court, I can’t help but think about the astronomically high standards placed on Black women, especially when we move into leadership positions. Too often we are required to respond to ridicule and disrespect with patience and grace even when our intelligence and other aspects of who we are get called into question. I think about all the women in our sector who continue to push for progressive change, social justice and liberation while contending with micro and macro-aggressions at the intersection of their race and gender identity. While it is exhausting to watch and experience the extra burdens placed on Black women, I am continually in awe of our ability to take adversity and transform it into solutions that benefit, not only ourselves and our communities, but entire systems.
I am hyper aware of what it feels like to navigate systems designed to keep people like me excluded from opportunities and positions of power. As the first Black woman to serve at the helm of EPIP, I am committed to co-creating the conditions needed for folx that have been historically excluded from our sector to feel supported and a sense of belonging as they navigate their career paths in philanthropy. Through equitable funding strategies, inclusive work environments and authentic relationships with colleagues across the sector - each of us has a role to play in creating those conditions, regardless of how much (or little) institutional power we currently hold.
As EPIP moves forward with our work to empower emerging leaders, I am especially appreciative of spaces we are creating for our members, such as our Emerging Women of Color Community of Practice. We recognize the necessity of these safe spaces for women of color in philanthropy to be in community and support each other as they grow their capacity to effect change, and I encourage you to learn more about it and our other Communities of Practice. I am also proud to see organizations like Voice. Vision. Value, Women’s Foundation of the South and EPIP members Grantmakers for Girls of Color, Ms. Foundation for Women, Women’s Funding Network, The New York Women’s Foundation, WomenStrong International, and so many others working in the philanthropic sector to address the unique issues women face in our society - and honing in on the unique experiences of women of color.
Following in the footsteps of the trailblazing women that came before us, may we continually use our influence to create conditions for a more just, equitable and sustainable world.
In Solidarity,
Storme
EPIP News
Join our Next Philanthropology™ Cohort!
Looking for a deeper grounding in the history and practice of philanthropy from a social justice lens? Join EPIP, in partnership with our Bay Area Chapter, for Philanthropology™, a 3-module curriculum offering an in-depth critical study of philanthropy, created for and informed by the next generation of inclusive grantmakers.
What to expect: This 3-module virtual course runs spans the month of May, leaving plenty of time for asynchronous work and testing out new ideas.
- Module 1: Philanthropy History, Ecosystem, and Evolution - May 5, 9:30 - 12:30 PST
- Module 2: Racial Equity, Advocacy and Policy in Grantmaking - May 12, 9:30 - 12:30 PST
- Module 3: Self-Advocacy and Personal Leadership - May 26, 9:30 - 12:30 PST
- The curriculum also offers 3 hours of asynchronous activities and ample readings to further your knowledge.
Click here to learn more and register today! Space is limited for this cohort. If you are a Bay Area funder and interested in sending multiple staff, please contact [email protected] to coordinate.
Not a member yet? Contact [email protected] with questions about accessing this program, and click here to join the EPIP community!
Ways to Engage with EPIP!
Here are a few reminders on ways to get the most out of your EPIP membership!
- Attend any chapter or national EPIP event (doesn't have to be in your region).
- Remind your colleagues to sign up here for this monthly newsletter to stay in the loop! Email [email protected] to have news from your organization featured.
- Join a Community of Practice for identity-based networking, professional development, and peer coaching to develop skills as an inclusive leader.
- Participate in a Philanthropology™ cohort to learn about philanthropy from a social justice lens. Contact [email protected] to express interest in future cohorts or to explore co-hosting a cohort in your region.
- Share or research career opportunities on our Job Board.
- Contact your local chapter for other ways to engage or volunteer in your area.
- Check out EPIP resources including:
Are you an institutional member? Email [email protected] to explore more opportunities catered to your team. For example, EPIP can review benefits with your staff, highlight your team’s expertise in a blog, co-host a webinar, and more! We are deeply grateful for your engagement and excited to support your team in taking full advantage of the services and benefits available to you!
Chapter News & Events
Keep an eye on our events page for opportunities to connect with your local philanthropic community!
EPIP CO | All Things Reparations
On April 6 from 9:00 - 11:00 am MT, join EPIP Colorado and Colorado Funders for Inclusiveness and Equity (COFIE) for a conversation on all things related to reparations, including the need for reparations, reparations in government, and reparations in philanthropy.
The Latest in Philanthropy
Philanthropy's Response to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
In early March, the Council on Foundations partnered with the U.S. State Department to host a webinar on the philanthropic response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Click here to watch the recording. Additional resources to guide the philanthropic response can be found here.
Candid is also tracking data in real-time on funding provided in response to the crisis in Ukraine here.
This Op-Ed, Op-Ed, The War in Ukraine Requires a Major Philanthropic Response and Overall Increase in Peace and Security Funding, also offers reflections on how philanthropy can address the needs of communities most impacted by this violence.
Cultures of Care Project Launch - April 4
On April 4, join the Othering & Belonging Institute to celebrate the launch of Cultures of Care, featuring a panel of artists, activists, and thinkers. Cultures of Care celebrates people that practice collective care in unconventional and insurgent ways. Click here to register for this FREE event.
Abolition. Feminism. Now. - April 6
Marguerite Casey Foundation (MCF), in partnership with Seattle Arts and Lectures, invites you to join a conversation about politics and the practice of abolition feminism.
Tune in virtually on April 6th at 3 pm PST for a conversation with Angela Y. Davis, Gina Dent, Erica R. Meiners, and Beth E. Richie, co-authors of Abolition. Feminism. Now. Click here to register and get a free copy of the book!
Join ABFE’s Annual Conference - April 21-23
The conference will take place April 21-23, with pre-conference activities on April 20, at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC. ABFE’s Annual Conference is the nation’s largest convening of Black professionals in philanthropy. Join for a series of plenaries focused on timely subjects important to Black communities and sessions designed to amplify ABFE’s ten imperatives for the philanthropic sector. Click here to learn more and register today.
GEO’s Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellowship
Click here to learn about Grantmakers for Effective Organization’s Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellowship. This 10-month peer cohort program is for senior executives who are responsible for developing and guiding key change efforts in their organizations. Apply here by 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, April 15 to be a part of the 2022-2023 fellowship cohort.
What We're Reading, Watching & Listening to
- Donors of Color released, “Philanthropy always sounds like someone else: A Portrait of High Net Wealth Donors of Color,” a qualitative analysis of interviews with 113 high net worth Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) donors.
- A former nonprofit executive shares how she reimagines the status quo in this article on trust-based philanthropy.
- In “Healing-Centered Leadership: A Path to Transformation,” Shawn A. Ginwright addresses four myths about social change.
- In this blog, the Center for Effective Philanthropy and the Stupski Foundation reflect on conversations with Black and Latino nonprofit leaders and share seven ways foundations can counter racial bias in grantmaking to make it more equitable.
- Former EPIP Executive Director, Tamir Novotny, and Alison Traina launch, “In It Together,” A podcast for white allies who are struggling to show up the way they want to in racial justice work.
- Check out this summary of EPIP member Adam Basciano’s thesis, “The Future Of Work In The Social Sector: How The Sector Can Harness Next Generation Human Capital And Innovation To Radically Expand Its Capacity!" Access his full thesis here.
- Watch the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy's Unpacking Philanthropy series.
- United Philanthropy Forum released The COVID-19 Crucible, a resource that documents ways philanthropy-serving organizations responded to the pandemic.
Have something new on your reading list? Is there a resource you'd like the EPIP community to know about? Let us know at [email protected] and we may include it in a future newsletter.
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!
- Chief Relationship Officer, Arabella Advisors - Washington, DC
- Development Administrative Assistant, Grand Rapids Community Foundation - Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Learning & Evaluation Officer, The Colorado Health Foundation - Denver, CO
- Development Coordinator, Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) - Pasadena, CA
Want to explore the Job Board's filters and special features? Log in to your member account or join EPIP today!
Join Our Community
Join EPIP as an individual or institutional member!
Showing 1 reaction