Upcoming Events
The Presidents’ Forum on Racial Equity in Philanthropy: It's a new year: a conversation with foundation presidents on their continued focus on equity and inclusion
April 30 | 1 - 2:30 p.m. CT
The 2020 election and the Georgia runoffs may be over, but our work sure isn't. The Presidents' Forum is calling foundation leaders to action to make sure racial equity priorities remain urgent priorities for the new administration.
In this virtual roundtable, co-hosted by the Presidents’ Forum and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO), John Palfrey, president of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and Maria Pesqueira, president of the Healthy Communities Foundation, will reflect on what has been accomplished during the first 100 days of the Biden-Harris administration, and implications for the philanthropic sector as they continue or begin to pursue new strategies for centering racial equity within and outside of their organizations.
Past Events
The Presidents’ Forum on Racial Equity in Philanthropy: Convenings for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) foundation CEOs and presidents
Jan 19 | 12:30 - 2 p.m. CT
This session provided a space where BIPOC foundation presidents and CEOs came together to gain mutual support, build new relationships and trust, explore different ways to work with others, and engage in conversations about their racial identities.
The Presidents’ Forum on Racial Equity in Philanthropy: White Affinity Conversations
12 - 1:30 p.m. CT, Jan. 13
This session provided a space where white foundation presidents and CEOs came together to work explicitly and intentionally on understanding white culture and white privilege with their peers in the sector.
The Presidents’ Forum on Racial Equity in Philanthropy: A convening for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) foundation CEOs and presidents
July 23 | 12-1 p.m. CT
This session provided a space where BIPOC foundation presidents and CEOs came together to gain mutual support, build new relationships and trust, explore different ways to work with others, and engage in conversations about their racial identities.
The Presidents’ Forum on Racial Equity in Philanthropy: White Affinity Discussion
Monday, July 6 | 1-2 p.m. CT
This session provided a space where white foundation presidents and CEOs can come together to work explicitly and intentionally on understanding white culture and white privilege with their peers in the sector.
COVID-19 and philanthropy: the leadership racial equity imperative
Friday, May 1 | 2:30-3:45 p.m. CT
The third in a series of facilitated, open dialogue for foundation CEOs and presidents. Attendees explored the following topics: How can funders help expedite a racially equitable community-based response to COVID-19? How does distance/remote culture impact staff? How does working remotely impact relationships with grantees? Other partners?
COVID-19 and philanthropy: the leadership racial equity imperative
Thursday, April 16 | 1-2:15 p.m. CT
The second in a series of facilitated, open dialogue for foundation CEOs and presidents. Attendees discussed the following topics: How can foundation chief executives and board work together right now to center racial equity within their response to the evolving pandemic? What is the impact of COVID-19 on grantee organizations led by people of color, serving communities of color? How are your organizations responding to their immediate and longer-term needs?
COVID-19 and philanthropy: an open dialogue on racial equity and COVID-19 with foundation leaders - what to expect? And what can be done?
Tuesday, March 31 | 1-2 p.m. CT
As philanthropy sought to respond to the novel coronavirus, foundation leaders were offered a space to convene - virtually - to share their thoughts and plans during a facilitated, open dialogue on COVID-19 and racial equity. We offered the following questions as a starting place for your dialogue tomorrow. How are you thinking about racial equity in the midst of this public health crisis? Are there specific equity issues you feel are important to consider as part of your response?What questions are you hearing from your grantees that reflect challenges and needs around diversity, equity and inclusion?What actionable steps are you or could you take that center racial equity in your organizational response to COVID-19? Is racial equity of lesser importance as you focus on urgent grantmaking decisions? What support do you need as leaders in your organization?