Dreaming of Matriarchies, Leading Together
It is no surprise to us at EPIP that our board, our chapters, and our conference committees are all helmed primarily by women and gender non-conforming folks of color. In a sector that has demanded the emotional labor and leadership of women of color, and Black women in particular, while offering little safety or structural support, EPIP programs and communities become landing places to find your people and navigate the intersections of race, gender, and tenure.
Last year, our staff all received Unrig the Game by Vanessa Priya Daniel. Her work speaks truth to power, sharing lessons from women of color leaders about what it takes to build and sustain strong social movements so that we may all work to get free, together. One of the concepts that stood out - and echoes so many other movement writers - is the idea of flanking. How do we collectively build our skills and comfort with standing in solidarity with one another and our communities? How do we have each other's backs, particularly at a time when we’re facing increased fear and erosion of trust?
We’ll be sharing more about conference plenaries and programming in the coming weeks, but we want to tease our closing plenary. We’ll be joined by former and current organizers and movement builders who now work in philanthropy to hear about what it means to practice institutional philanthropy like an organizer. This session will not only help us dream of a world where we all are free, but it will help us think about how we practice skills like flanking so that we’re all stronger, together.
We hope you’ll consider joining us or sending folks on your team to Chicago to be part of the conversation. And until then, may we support each other through a time of great uncertainty and change so that no one has to hold it all on their own.
EPIP News
Register for EPIP 2026: Clarity & Courage!
If you’ve been wanting to get your ticket for EPIP2026: Clarity & Courage, don't wait! With rising fuel prices likely to drive up airfare this summer, we recommend getting your tickets now.
Fun fact: Chicago Pride 🌈🏳️⚧️ is June 28th! Come to Chicago early and then keep the vibe going with the EPIP community for 3 days of nourishing and joyful professional development with your peers. Attendees can use the Whova app to self-organize an outing with fellow EPIP members!
Early bird pricing: Early bird tickets are nearly sold out! Price is $750 for EPIP members. Questions about other pricing tiers can be found on our website under ‘registration.’
We are also running a membership drive, so you can renew your membership at a discounted rate of $125 and bundle/save when you register.
Communities of Practice
Our Communities of Practice Have a New Look!
Looking for our communities of practice? This year we’re trying something new and evolving our spaces to be more accessible to all of our members. Join us May 12 from 1 - 2:30 p.m. EST for this exclusive members-only space, where we’ll meet as a large group and also incorporate small groups for our community of practice members to reconvene in those communities!
These quarterly member spaces are exclusively for EPIP members. Not a member yet? Visit our membership page to learn more and join this community of equity-minded changemakers.
Questions about our communities of practice or whether this is a good fit for you? Reach out to [email protected].
Save the Date: Spring Advocacy Workshop on June 9th!
Join EPIP on June 9 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET for a spring workshop on advocacy approaches beyond lobbying and policy. Specifically tailored for emerging leaders, this session will equip participants with tools to advocate for the issues they care about, regardless of their roles and where they sit in their organizations. Registration coming soon!
Chapter News
EPIP Chicago | Power Without Permission: Self-Advocacy for Emerging Leaders
In today’s shifting philanthropic landscape, early and mid-career professionals are navigating complex questions:
- How do I advocate for myself while protecting my job security?
- How can I maintain my values in politically cautious environments?
- When is it strategic to push and when is it strategic to pace?
Join us in exploring practical tools for workplace self-advocacy in philanthropy, grounded in relational power and institutional strategy.
Reminder: virtual chapter events are open to all EPIP members!
EPIP Chicago | Happy Hour
The Chicago Chapter of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) and Forefront are excited to co-host a happy hour celebrating the newest cohort of Grantmakers Institute participants. Learn more about EPIP programs and, most importantly, network and connect with fellow grantmaking professionals. Light snacks and drinks on us!
More exciting chapter programs are on the horizon for 2026. Keep an eye on our events page and LinkedIn to stay in the loop.
Sector News
Level Up Campaign
We are proud to endorse the Level Up pledge — a two-year minimum commitment to increase giving, move money quickly and equitably, and share the data that proves it. Frontline communities deserve more than episodic funding. They deserve sustained investment that builds the power of those most impacted by injustice and works toward a more inclusive democracy and equitable economy.
If you’re ready to commit to action, to commit to equity, and are willing to verify your commitments, sign the Level Up Pledge today!
G4GC’s National Convening
EPIP is proud to be a community partner for the 2026 G4GC Convening — Investing in Ecosystems that Support Our Youth — G4GC’s first national in-person gathering for funders and philanthropic leaders. This is an intentional space for funders to strategize, build community, and take concrete action to strengthen the ecosystems that care for and advance the work of girls and gender-expansive youth of Color. Together, we will explore how aligned resources, bold investment, and collaborative approaches can drive lasting impact, celebrate youth vision, and support the leaders and advocates who champion their work.
Tuesday, May 12 – Friday, May 15, 2026 | Charlotte, NC
What We're Reading, Watching, & Listening To
- Circle Back Club - a new podcast about how corporate work culture is hurting all of us and keeping us from the futures we want
- Dreaming Freedom, Finding Home - the Grantmakers in the Arts Reader
- Organizine Strategy and Practice - a conversation with The FORGE, Prentis Hemphill, Denise Perry, and Adaku Utah
- Unrig the Game: What Women of Color Can Teach Everyone About Winning - Vanessa Priya Daniel
If you'd like to share a resource for possible inclusion in a future EPIP newsletter, you can send this to [email protected].
Job Board
Looking for a New Opportunity?
View highlighted job opportunities from our Institutional Member and partner organizations below, and check our Job Board for more opportunities from around the country.
- Product Manager - Vermont Community Foundation, Middlebury, Vermont
- Analyst - Assessment and Advisory Services - Center for Effective Philanthropy, San Francisco, CA
- Program Officer, Research to Impact Lab - Center for Cultural Innovation, United States (Remote)
- Program Associate, Grants - Center for Cultural Innovation, Bay Area California (Remote)
- Grants Manager - Center for Cultural Innovation, California (Remote)
- Associate, Legal Resources - Council on Foundations (Remote)
- Finance Manager - The Klarman Family Foundation, Boston, MA (Hybrid)
- Program Officer - Council of Michigan Foundation, Lansing, MI
Would you like to post a job opening at your organization to the EPIP Job Board? Submit a job post here.
Join Our Community!
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Join EPIP as an individual or institutional member!
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