EPIP CO | February Coffee Chat
If you're like us, or the non-profits you're supporting in your philanthropy, you might have been told or absorbed the idea "that if you 'do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life. 'Whether it's working for "exposure" and "experience," or enduring poor treatment in the name of 'being part of the family,' all employees are pushed to make sacrifices for the privilege of being able to do what we love."
Our Coffee Chat discussion is based on the book, Work Won't Love You Back by Sarah Jaffe, a preeminent voice on labor, inequality, and social movements, which examines, through an intersectional lens, this "labor of love" myth —the idea that certain work is not really work, and therefore should be done out of passion instead of pay. Join us to discuss: How are people in philanthropy pushed to allow our work to take over our lives? How do our workplaces perpetuate that "labor of love" myth? How does philanthropy perpetuate this issue in the non-profits we fund, and how can we help change that? What can we individually stop doing to make room for more of what brings us joy, fulfillment, and rest?
You don't have to read the book to join this discussion! If you do, Chapter 5 focuses on non-profits and philanthropy; and don't forget that the whole book is applicable, because if you're working in philanthropy - you're a worker! If you're interested in learning more about the premise behind Jaffe's book, here are a few grounding resources.
Podcasts:
Articles:
- Read a good summary of the book in this article by Mary Retta from bitchmedia.
- Focused on the reproductive rights movement, this interview from REPROjobs also explores Jaffe's broader writing on non-profits and philanthropy, and working conditions for non-profit workers.
Register here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.
EPIP 2021 Conference Spotlight: Communities of Practice
Join us at our 2021 Conference, R/evolution, for the formal launch of EPIP’s new communities of practice and a celebration of our long-running People of Color Network (PCN)!
Over the last few months, we’ve been meeting with members, researching with other philanthropy serving organizations, and connecting with our CHANGE partners. As a result of this relationship-building and deep listening, we’re thrilled to be launching two new communities of practice at our virtual conference. Click here for more on the conference or to register.
The first community of practice, for emerging women of color, will serve dual purposes of strengthening the professional networks for early- to mid-career women of color in philanthropy and strengthening interpersonal leadership skills so that women of color advance and thrive in the sector. The second community of practice, in response to requests from white members of EPIP, will support white practitioners in building greater accountability in their work to combat white dominant culture within philanthropy, and to sharpen their allyship and advocacy skills. Finally, we’re thrilled to bring renewed energy and intention to our long-standing People of Color Network, for EPIP members who identify as people of color.
We hope you'll join us as we dive into these new opportunities for the EPIP community to connect and grow together!
Read moreLeadership Re/Imagined
What is leadership? A year ago, when I accepted the role as EPIP’s Executive Director, I sat with this question for quite some time, reflecting on the models of leadership that I had seen held up as exemplary.
Leaders are fearless.
Leaders are confident.
Leaders are focused, stoic, unflappable, and always poised.
Those models didn’t resonate with me, though. And as the year went on, and the events of 2020 came crashing down upon us like unrelenting waves upon the shore, I realized why. Any model of leadership which removes the fullness of human emotions for the sake of performing perfection was more isolating than it was liberating. I wanted more than that for myself, more than that for EPIP, and more than that for the work ahead of us.
Read morePaving the Way for Women of Color Leaders in Philanthropy
From funders to founders, chapter leaders to champions, EPIP would not be the organization it is today without the leadership of women of color. In summer 2020, five women of color leaders from EPIP’s past and present came together for a conversation about the past 20 years of EPIP, their personal leadership journeys, and what the philanthropic sector can learn from the past to change its future.
Listen in as EPIP ED Storme Gray, EPIP Board of Advisors Treasurer Michelle Jaramillo, former EPIP Board Chairs Jasmine Hall Ratliff and Melissa Hewitt, and EPIP's initial angel funder Linetta Gilbert have a no-holds-barred conversation about the role of EPIP in their individual journeys and philanthropy as a whole.
Read moreFour Things We Learned From Emerging Post-Pandemic: Being a Future-Focused Leader Now
Recently, philanthropic futurist (and EPIP Minnesota chapter founder/former EPIP Board Chair) Trista Harris joined EPIP to talk about the ways that futurism can help the philanthropic sector imagine (and help create) the post-pandemic world. The full talk is here but four pieces of wisdom that stuck with us were:
1) Stop loving the problem. Avoid making whatever problem or social issue that you’re trying to solve the sole focus of your work. Your discussions (both internally and with grantees) should be about what is being built in addition to what is being overcome.
2) Look for the future in the present. Make time to look at trends, best practices, and places where the changes you want to implement are already happening. You can always learn from the work of others.
Read moreThis Year, Plan Your Professional Development From The Heart (Yes, Really)
January is a great time to consider your own growth both professionally and personally. Use this time to plan from the heart. True development is about aligning your professional goals and skills with your deep, personal sense of purpose. Resist the temptation to go through the motions with your plan.
This January, take some time to ask yourself these questions:
Read moreTips on Building a Career in Philanthropy
By Stephen Alexander, Program Manger, Exponent Philanthropy
For career-minded professionals working in philanthropy—whether in program or administrative roles at foundations, philanthropy support organizations, consulting firms, or academic centers—the field can be a difficult space to navigate. Career paths tend to be limited and unconventional, and, although funders are making great strides in going public with their giving, the field has yet to overcome its tendency toward anonymity.
Read more