EPIP Michigan, a chapter of EPIP National, is a statewide network of emerging leaders and professionals working in philanthropy and supporting social change. Our goal is to develop and support emerging practitioners by curating knowledge and content rooted in equitable philanthropy; provide opportunities for professional and leadership development; and create space for networking and relationship building. We strive to create safe spaces to learn and grow together.

EPIP MICHIGAN OFFERS:

Learning opportunities such as programming on professional development and social justice philanthropy.
Networking through regional Gatherings for Good lunches, Twitter chats, and partnerships with CMF.
Leadership experiences by offering opportunities such as serving on a committee or facilitating workshops.

EPIP Michigan Community in Action:

Are you wondering if EPIP Michigan is the right network for you? We’re looking to engage early career professionals in the field of philanthropy who are interested in advancing social justice and equity; connecting with other professionals and the broader field; and strengthening their professional and leadership skills.

To get in touch with EPIP Michigan, email us at michigan@epip.org

Follow EPIP Michigan on Twitter and Instagram at @EPIPMichigan

Join us on Facebook

April 2020

Beloved EPIP Michigan member,

We’re writing this message with a deep sense of gratitude and thanks for the courage and strength that you and your colleagues are embodying under such challenging circumstances.  The COVID-19 global pandemic is causing a ripple effect across many facets of our society – public health, economy, education, etc. This virus is exposing the vulnerabilities of our communities, compounding issues of inequity that have already existed in many communities. 

As stewards in philanthropy, a field rooted in the “love of humanity”, our role has become much more difficult. Not only are we carrying the challenges that our communities are facing but also personal challenges of our own. We’re concerned for our parents, children, neighbors, loved ones and constantly thinking of those who are essential and frontline workers. We see you. We understand. It’s hard.

This tweet puts into words what most of us have been trying to grapple with lately. Let’s all be kind to ourselves. Of course, we’ve got work to do and our grantees, partners and communities are counting on us. But let’s be real about our own struggles and learn to move forward - moment by moment, one day at a time.

We don’t have all the answers, but we’re not powerless. Let’s each use whatever agency we have:

• To unleash resources equitably to those in need
• Care for ourselves, colleagues and loved ones
• Use our voices to share accurate messages to dispel misinformation, racism and xenophobia
• And be hope-ful

Though things are difficult right now, we must not be overcome by despair. The words of attorney and civil rights activist Bryan Stevenson can be a guiding light for us at this moment, “Hope is your superpower. Don't let anybody or anything make you hopeless. Hope is the enemy of injustice."

Check out a few updates from EPIP Michigan, COVID-19 resources and self-care techniques below.

EPIP Michigan congratulates our new tri-chairs and welcomes two new steering committee members

Please join us in congratulating Laura Collier, Council of Michigan Foundations, and  Tory Martin, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, who were recently named steering committee tri-chairs; joining Mark Greer, PwC Charitable Foundation, who continues his term. We say farewell to Surabhi Pandit, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, and Andrea Judd-Shurmur, Council of Michigan Foundations, who completed their terms as tri-chairs in December 2019. We wish them well and thank them for their service.

The steering committee welcomes two new additions, Tori Craig of Rotary Charities of Traverse City and Jonathan Pulley of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Tori is a strategic communications manager with a background in food justice. She’s a self-proclaimed systems-thinking enthusiast with a deep commitment to bringing anti-oppression culture into the workplace. Jonathan is a program specialist focused on racial equity. He’s passionate about removing barriers caused by structural, systemic and economic racism through policy change that ensures children and families have equitable outcomes. Welcome, Tori and Jonathan!

Census 2020 is underway – Join the campaign to ensure everyone is accurately counted!

The National Census Day on April 1 resulted in a jump to the nationwide census response rate, which now stands at more than 45%. Currently, the census count is outpacing that of 2010. The census has been extended to Aug. 14 due to COVID-19. Join the efforts to get the word out to your grantees, partners and networks. The future of our communities depends on an accurate count! Visit 2020census.gov for the latest news and resources.

COVID-19 Resources

National

• Policy Briefing: How the $2 Trillion COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Bill Impact Philanthropy, webinar recording, Council on Foundations (featuring Regina Bell, director of public policy, Council of Michigan Foundations)
• Coronavirus Crisis Comms Triage Kit, The Communications Network, a suite of resources including an open-source Google Doc with key messages and example statements in philanthropy
• COVID-19 Racial Equity & Social Justice Resources, Racial Equity Tools, includes analyses, tools and resources for healing and community care
• #COVID19 Capital Relief, CASE at Duke University, a searchable open-source website with grants, loans and other cash equivalents that can help entrepreneurs, nonprofits and businesses anywhere in the world
• A Call to Action: Philanthropy’s Commitment During COVID-19, Council on Foundations, tell your organization to sign the pledge today that adapts grantmaking to the needs of nonprofits and their communities
• COVID-19 Resources for the EPIP Community, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (national office)

Michigan

• COVID-19 Resource Central, Council of Michigan Foundations, including upcoming webinars, policy briefs and relief fund info
• CARES Act: Impact on charitable giving, nonprofits and businesses, Kalamazoo Community Foundation
• COVID-19 Resources and Information, Michigan Nonprofit Association

Self-care

• 8ight things I learned in solitary confinement, that will help you keep calm during the Coronavirus pandemic, Shaka Senghor, the best-selling author  shares wisdom from his years in prison that led to profound personal transformation in extremely difficult conditions
• Love in the Time of Corona, Kevin John Fong, hear advice from a seasoned racial healing practitioner
• Why You Should Ignore All That Coronavirus-Inspired Productivity Pressure, Aisha S. Ahmad, advice from an award-winning scholar who knows the realities of living (and working) under conditions of war, disease outbreak and isolation

Remote work

• Check out this Twitter thread from EPIP National’s Executive Director, Storme Gray, who shares what she learned after working from home for more than a year
• Living (and working virtually) in uncertainty, Interaction Institute for Social Change, Cynthia Silva Parker
• How to prevent Zoom-bombing, PC Mag, change your video conference settings to make sure you don’t encounter any uninvited guests – the trolls are real y’all

What we’re reading…

• Foundations and nonprofits see crisis as opportunity to advance equity, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Alex Daniels, April 6, 2020
• The hardest hit: Who is supporting communities of color during COVID-19? Inside Philanthropy, Julia Travers, April 3, 2020
• COVID-19: Using a racial justice lens now to transform our future, Lori Villarosa, Nonprofit Quarterly, March 30, 2020

Stay tuned for future virtual programming opportunities from EPIP Michigan, if you have any ideas, reach out to us via email (michigan@epip.org) and check out our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for updates.