Preconference Programming

Preconference programming begins Saturday, April 28. All of these events require separate registration. Space is limited. Register today.

Institute for New Board Members

Saturday, April 28 - 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday, April 29 - 7:30-11:30 a.m.
Early registration cost is $425 for members and $625 for nonmembers until March 22. After March 22, cost is $525 for members and $825 for nonmembers.
Register today.

The institute is designed for foundation board members with less than two years of experience in the field. It focuses on current best practices and the fundamental rules and regulations for U.S. private and public foundations, and presents an opportunity to interact with peers and receive answers to your burning questions. The information-packed program will (1) identify the various governance structures used by foundations; (2) look at the key roles, functions, and positions within the foundation structure; (3) define the basic elements of grantmaking and financial administration; (4) help you apply basic operating principles to your foundation; and (5) much, much more!

Presenters: Deborah Whitehurst,Hardesty-Whiteshurst, LLC; Vernetta Walker, Vice President, Consulting and Training

A Global Engagement: Widening Your Grantmaking Lens

Saturday, April 28 - 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Cost is $95 for members and $125 for nonmembers. Package this with the Global Philanthropy Dinner and Reception and save! Package price is $220 for members and $270 for nonmembers.
Register today.

Join the Council on Foundations and leading funder affinity groups active in the international arena for a daylong preconference immersion in global grantmaking, with a special emphasis on the role of women in development, human rights, and peace-building.

Program Schedule:

The Future of Philanthropy and Development in the Pursuit of Human Well-Being: An Update on the Bellagio Initiative
9'10 a.m.

The Bellagio Initiative is a series of global consultations to produce a new framework for philanthropic and international development collaboration in pursuit of human well-being in the 21st century. The project is led by the Institute of Development Studies, the Resource Alliance, and the Rockefeller Foundation. Join us for a review of this important initiative's work thus far and join the conversation.

Stakeholder Engagement in Global Giving: Do Nothing About Us Without Us
10:15'11:45 a.m.

An increasing number of grantmakers understand that much of the knowledge and experience they need to solve problems resides in the communities they serve. This interactive session, convened by Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and International Funders for Indigenous Peoples, explores the challenges and opportunities of engaging community-level stakeholders in global grantmaking, with a special focus on women and indigenous communities.

Networking Lunch
11:45 a.m.'12:30 p.m.

Standing at the Intersection of Grantmaking and Human Rights
12:30'2 p.m.

Climate change, domestic violence, education reform, voting and elections, and political upheavals'human rights are interwoven into each of these issues. This session will discuss what human rights grantmaking really means and describe the range of funding priorities that exist in the field. Participants will hear directly from grantee partners working on the frontlines and explore strategies to address the special challenges facing grantees who take great personal and organizational risks to struggle for change. Convened by International Human Rights Funders Group.

Supporting Women, Supporting Social Change
2:15'3:45 p.m.

Women play an important role in all societies and cultures, and Africa is no exception. Hear how perceptions of women in Africa influence funder support in this session coordinated by the Africa Grantmakers Affinity Group. Three different grantmaking approaches will be shared.

Stories from the Field: Women Building Peace
4'5:30 p.m.

Interact with women peacebuilders and philanthropists as they share their experiences rebuilding societies and resolving violent conflicts. The discussion, convened by the Peace and Security Funders Group, focuses on the particular and powerful strengths that women leaders bring to negotiations, street protests, mediation, truth commissions, and disarming and reintegrating soldiers.

Global Philanthropy Reception and Dinner - An Evening of Global Networking

Saturday, April 28 - 6:00-9:30 p.m.
Cost is $150 for members and $200 for nonmembers. Package this with A Global Engagement: Widening Your Grantmaking Lens or with the Corporate Philanthropy Opening Session and save! Package price for Reception and Dinner plus A Global Engagement is $220 for members and $270 for nonmembers. Package price for Reception and Dinner plus Corporate Philanthropy Opening Session is $200 for members and $300 for nonmembers.
Register today.

Cap off a great day of learning by spending the evening networking with your global grantmaking peers.

Program Schedule:

Speed Networking
6'6:45 p.m.
Make multiple connections in a short amount of time, and then deepen those connections over the course of the conference'and beyond.

Global Grantmaking Reception
6:30'7:30 p.m.
Enjoy wine, hors d'oeuvres, and great conversation during this festive reception.

Council on Foundations Annual Global Dinner Featuring Special Guest Julia Ormond
7:30'9:30 p.m.
Actress, philanthropist, and activist Julia Ormond discusses human trafficking and her work as the founder of ASSET, the Alliance to Stop Slavery and End Trafficking.

The Leadership Opportunity for Corporate Philanthropy

Sunday, April 29 - 8-11 a.m.
Cost is $75 for members and $125 for nonmembers. Package this with the Global Philanthropy Reception and Dinner and save! Package price is $200 for members and $300 for nonmembers.
Register today.

The Council on Foundations releases a new platform for corporate philanthropy that signals a transformative moment for the field. Join a leader-to-leader call to action, see the results of this original field research project, and be among the first to learn about a new, practical framework that equips leaders to step up and catalyze business' contribution to the pressing global challenges of our times.