In times like these, it’s easy to stay focused on what’s difficult: the inequities we face, the work still ahead, the challenges that can feel unrelenting. At EPIP, we believe it’s important to make space for both the weight of this reality and the energy it takes to keep moving toward a more just and equitable world.

As we fight for our mission and our values, we also believe in celebrating the moments that remind us why we do this work. That’s why, this month and throughout the rest of 2025, we invite you to join us in celebrating a milestone: EPIP’s 25th anniversary!

As we close out Women’s History Month, we want to pause and reflect with appreciation on the women who have shaped philanthropy, both those who came before us and those making history today. Women have long been at the forefront of transformative societal change. They have built institutions, fueled movements, and redefined giving as a tool for justice and equity. Their leadership, both past and present, has reshaped the sector and expanded our understanding of what philanthropy can and should be. As we look to the future, women’s leadership remains essential in tackling the mounting challenges facing our sector and society, from threats to democracy to deepening economic inequality. We know that the vision and contributions of women, particularly women of color, will continue to be a driving force in the philanthropic space.

As February comes to a close, we find ourselves, like you, navigating a sea of change and uncertainty while holding on to resolve and clarity. There is no sugarcoating the severity of the federal threats to our nonprofit ecosystem, nor can we overlook the unwavering commitment from the philanthropic sector. Indeed, many funders appear to be taking a ‘wait and see’ approach or even pulling back their commitments to funding movements and racial justice altogether. Yet, we know the work continues, as so many of our partners in the field and on the ground remain steadfast in their commitments. As Rich Besser, President of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, said recently, “If we’re not willing to stand up and use that privilege to help defend the work of those who are being attacked at this moment, we shouldn’t be in these jobs. It’s that simple.” 

To those in our network celebrating Lunar New Year, Happy Year of the Snake!

I’m going to be vulnerable and kick off this newsletter a bit differently than many you probably have gotten this week. Have you taken any deep breaths today yet? If not, I invite you to now. 

Over the last two weeks, nearly every person I’ve talked to across our staff, membership and partners seems to have a similar refrain right now: this month has felt like a year already. Folks are recalibrating their relationship to news and information, figuring out how to stay focused amidst fear and concern, and in some cases, how to rapidly reconfigure funding pathways to support organizations impacted by multiple EOs. And lest the news cycles ask us to forget, our colleagues in L.A. are still in crisis-response mode in the aftermath of the fires. 

Like so many of you, we at EPIP have been grappling with how to show up and make sense of the political moment unfolding over this last month (and arguably, over the last months, years, or centuries depending on when you start the clock). Across the team, we have felt rage, fear, horror, despair… and also hope, curiosity, connection, resourcefulness, and commitment. Through all of this, we’re trying to practice the act of witnessing: all that each other are holding, all that we are experiencing, and how we are continuing to tend to our spirits and hearts through so much uncertainty and forthcoming upheaval and institutional violence against our communities.

Fall greetings from EPIP!

As we enter the last months of 2024 and look ahead to 2025, we are reminded of the work yet to come. Like all of you, we are wading through this season of uncertainty and staying open and curious about the possibilities ahead for EPIP and our broader philanthropic ecosystem. Despite all we may still be unsure of with elections and beyond, EPIP is looking forward to entering the new year with renewed purpose, and a clear goal to see through our forthcoming strategic framework, which we’ve been hard at work on for the last many months.

This past week, the EPIP team held an extremely energizing board meeting. Not only did we welcome 6 new board members (you’ll learn more about them next month!), we got a preview of the discovery findings for our strategic framework refresh. For the last many months, we’ve been working with Mandala Change Group to conduct interviews with members, chapter leaders, funding partners, and peer organizations. The findings are exciting, affirming, and give us a lot to think about for the years ahead at EPIP. We can’t wait to share the results and new strategic framework with you in 2025.

On a recent chapter leader call, we reflected on the seeming audacity of seeing Halloween decor already out in the world. It feels like we blinked and catapulted from our incredible convening in New Orleans to the end of summer. 

Register for the next cohort of Philanthropology! 

Reflecting on #EPIP2024

Reflections from Laura Collier, EPIP’s Chapter Liaison

A Message from EPIP’s Board Chair Emeritus and Board Chair