Philanthropy Northwest’s Post

At Philanthropy Northwest, the values of place and joy are at the heart of our mission. My family’s history in the Northwest—from my Japanese grandfather’s immigration to first Alaska and then Seattle over a century ago to my great-grandmother’s work in the strawberry fields of Vashon Island—shapes my perspective on these values. In my recent blog, I delve into how we at Philanthropy Northwest embody these principles and share personal experiences that highlight their significance. I invite you to take a moment to read it and explore the importance of place and joy in our work!

Phil Eval is running a Masterclass on Evaluation for Learning through Deep Listening at this year's Philanthropy Australia conference. In it, we will work through how the core capability of listening well can help funders better navigate the polycrisis - intersecting global crises - we are working within #philanthropy #MEL #evaluation #polycrisis

As July comes to a wrap, I want to express my deepest appreciation to all who made our conversation earlier this month possible at the Forum Conference in St. Louis! Nancy Sanabria (she/her) and Laura Smith for your trust, camaraderie, and candor; David Maurrasse for sharing your wisdom across the years; and Traci Slater-Rigaud and the United Philanthropy Forum community for the invitation and opportunity. And always grateful for Philanthropy New York and my colleagues' support, one of whom reminded me yesterday to share the 3 Rs from my remarks - so below is a summary. Spoiler: Although this panel is entitled "Advancing Racial Equity through Cohort Learning," cohort-based learning (CBL) is only one tool we use to support our funder members' journey in advancing more racially equitable practices within philanthropy: More importantly, the work of bringing folks along requires Resourcefulness, Relationship-Building, and Repetition (3 Rs). -- Resourcefulness: In other words, creativity. We use all the tools in our toolbox as philanthropy-mobilizing organizations: peer networks, issue-based working groups, skills-building programs, policy work, CBLs. With these wrap-around strategies, we nurture folks' learning, leadership, and growth in accessing their spheres of influence to effect change. We support their self-directed learning journey towards shifting practices. -- Relationship-building: Invite people in, and invite people to invite people in. Create the conditions for folks to learn, listen, engage, have difficult conversations, to increase trust and depth of relationships over multiple and consistent engagements. So when they're ready to act, they move together. -- Repetition: Regardless of the audience, which room or zoom we're in, what the session topic is, we remain clear and consistent, leading with our values and our commitments in service to a more democratic and just future. Rinse and repeat. We need each other to stay the course. And we need to remind ourselves that this is "forever work," and forever work requires Resourcefulness, Relationship-building, and Repetition - the 3 Rs. And might I add a fourth in this writing? Rest.

📚 Read our latest publication: Meaningfully Engaging Next-Generation Adults in Your Family Philanthropy.   One of the most important moments in the life of a family’s philanthropy is when those who are currently managing the efforts formally welcome members of the next generation—or generations—into the work. This new guide, published in collaboration with National Philanthropic Trust, is based on a series of interviews with giving families, and provides details on how to effectively welcome next-generation adults and intentionally evolve your family’s philanthropic leadership.   From creating the positive conditions and expectations for next-gen engagement, to effective onboarding and designing an ongoing process for success, the guide maps out a path for meaningful engagement.   NCFP would like to thank the guide’s author Cara Binder-Kopchick. Read the full guide below.

Families approach philanthropy strategically to align their efforts, focus on impact, and ensure their mission resonates for generations. We are proud to support the National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP) Trends 2025 report sharing the latest data to help inform their giving strategies. bit.ly/3Am2STj

Explore approaches to effectively engage underrepresented youth and immigrant communities by checking out this webinar ⤵️

This guide from NCFP helps family foundations welcome the next generation of leaders.

As a new Foundation CEO, I derive so much inspiration from Lori Bezahler at Edward W. Hazen Foundation. They operated with courage and humility, listening closely to community organizers and internalizing those lessons in their grantmaking practice. Listen to our conversation about Hazen’s decision to spend down the endowment (aka going all in), the power imbalances between funders and grantees, operationalizing social justice values in foundation work, and much more. https://lnkd.in/eua_QtEN

Wealth management and philanthropic planning go hand-in-hand. It's why industry-leading wealth professionals like Padric are investing their time to become Impact Philanthropy Advisors.

What's Media Impact Funders, you ask? Watch my quick explainer! ⬇