Building on our broader advocacy conversation from the previous week, we seek to define concrete next steps for our advocacy work this fall and winter: target audiences, key messages, desired outcomes.

Amidst concerns in philanthropy around financial concentration risk with sponsors, questions raised about sustainability in light of some recent sponsor closings, the Gates Foundation distancing itself from members of our community, and a resurgence in pressure from funders for the sector to embrace mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as a solution to financial stress, we see both concerns and opportunities for our field.

We’re pleased to welcome colleagues Lee Bodner of New Venture Fund, Jonathan Barona of Tides, and Heidi Hernandez Gatty of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors to share their perspectives.

What’s the best way forward? Is this an opportunity to shift from a reactive and defensive stance to a pro-active and positive positioning of our field…

• as essential stewards of local community needs?

• as a more equitable and affordable alternative to traditional M&A?

• as bulwarks for equity and social justice under assault?

• as ….?

Join us for a conversation about priority needs and messages and what opportunities we may unlock for our field working together as a community of practice.