The following is written by Alexis King, Steering Committee Member of the EPIP-NY Chapter, and staff at Living Cities, Inc.  Priding itself as a space that supports innovation in philanthropy, this year’s EPIP Annual Conference, LEAD!, did not disappoint in the range and depth of knowledge explored. There are three major points addressed during the conference that serve as great takeaways for attendees and the EPIP members unable to attend. Breaking silos. Throughout the conference there were many references to silos that block resources, connections, and opportunities to various communities. This year’s EPIP Conference made strides to not only address these silos but to ensure that the conversation help the next generation of leaders in philanthropy break those silos. From the lunch Plenary Session on Thursday, April 4th that exchanged ideas on how foundations can think outside of the box, to the honest and candid, “The Personal  is Political: Race, Class, and Gender as Ongoing Conversation” and, “‘Doing Good’ in the Twenty-First Century” concurrent sessions, the conversations to create action tools included an emphasis on expanding  allies for your work and thinking with a cross sectored mindset for how to combat these silos were a stride in the right direction as a philanthropic community. Read more

Hi, I’m Efrain Gutierrez. I work for FSG and I’m the brand new co-leader of the Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy  (EPIP) Seattle Chapter. I attended my first EPIP National Conference two weeks ago in Chicago and it was an incredible experience. It was energizing to be among a group of diverse and passionate mid-career professionals that will become the future leaders of the philanthropic sector. As I reflected on what I learned during the conference around this year’s theme – LEAD – I identified four recommendations for current and emerging leaders in philanthropy: be humble, know who you are not, listen, learn and adapt. I believe these recommendations represent the beginning of a paradigm shift in the way we exercise leadership in the sector. Let’s discuss each of them: Read more

The following is written by Nichole Martini, Co-Chair of the EPIP-NY Chapter.  EPIP is Transformative. EPIP inspires me. Through all the ways I have participated in EPIP, I have moved to a deeper understanding that there is a movement building; a movement of an entire generation of philanthropy professionals that will change the world.  EPIP serves the young in philanthropy, but also those new to its circles. Over the years, I have never found such an honest, open, and trusted circle of colleagues as I have at EPIP. The National Conference is always like a homecoming, re-connecting with those who keep returning, and embracing those who are new each year.  We are creating a passionate body of people taking on leadership challenges all throughout the country and the world with a similar commitment to work together and guide philanthropy to a new level of impact. It is through this collaboration and spirit of camaraderie that we can hold each other accountable to the values that we share for ourselves and for our sector. Read more

Check out this perspective from EPIP member and leader, Christi Tran: The smell of alcohol burns my nostrils, and the cold metal of the stethoscope unnerves me as it traverses my back. Still, I sit in silent confidence, my legs dangling off the edge of the examination table, my hands sticking to the paper I’m sitting on. “So, Christine,” the doctor says, “looks like it’s time for your annual shot. Can you please turn around and take off your jeans for me?” Read more

Check out this perspective from EPIP member and leader, Beth Herz of the Surdna Foundation:

In the weeks following the election, commentators across the political spectrum took note of the evolving face of the voting public. News analysts observed the high turnout among people of color and young people. I heard one reflect: “This is the America of today.

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Many private foundations survive in perpetuity because they give away 5% of their endowment each year. They can do good work in communities for generations because they are conservative stewards of their financial resources.  Foundations’ investment teams and operations staff stick with what they know: what worked in the past. The grants these foundations make are important but… could they do more to fulfill their mission? Imagine if the foundations’ investment portfolios reflected their institutions’ program values. Mission-driven investment strategies and operations practices help ensure that 100% of a foundation’s resources is working toward the mission. Instead, most foundations compartmentalize the different aspects of their work. I think this is analogous to how many people view their lives. Many compartmentalize their daily work from their passion. Work pays the bills. Their passion is left for their free time… or not engaged at all. Read more

Mothers love to brag about their children. For them, it’s a source of pride to say, “my daughter is a doctor” or “my son is a lawyer.” In that moment of truth, it is universally understood that the mother was successful in raising her child well. My mom is proud of me, but she has always had difficulty describing what I do.  “Rahsaan spends other people’s money for good causes” is usually the best she can muster. Getting the job as EPIP’s new Executive Director didn’t improve matters. “Now you’re telling me you’re a Pip?! I didn’t know Gladys Knight was auditioning new back up singers.” Let me explain to my mother (and anyone else who is interested) what EPIP is. Read more