Power is at the core of everything we're about, the things we analyze, the things we shift. - Rinku Sen
Power - the capacity to produce change - exists in many forms within our ecosystem. It characterizes all aspects of the philanthropic sector. We exercise power every day in our individual and collective roles within philanthropy. Every decision - from how we manage assets to how we engage with communities to what value we place on different forms of knowledge and expertise - presents an opportunity to either perpetuate old patterns or to courageously forge new and more equitable ones.
We, as a philanthropic community, acknowledge our past and present complicity in structures that have historically hoarded power. During our in-person Annual Meeting - on the theme of Power With: Building a Shared Future - we invite our community to reimagine our shared future through the lens of power:
- In what ways do we name and make visible the various forms of power in philanthropy, in our roles, our institutions, and across networks?
- What does it look like, in day-to-day practice, to negotiate the power imbalances that define philanthropy's work?
- What does it look like for the philanthropic sector to build power with communities and their nonprofit and funder partners?
- What becomes possible when we cede power?
True transformation can only be achieved in partnership and in relationship with communities. Envision the breakthroughs possible when we redistribute or willingly relinquish control.
Join the Philanthropy New York community in person for a day of learning and reflection. Prepare to connect deeply with your sector colleagues through peer exchanges, artistic expressions, and inspirational PhilTalks from practitioners who are shifting their practice. Together, we will embark on a day of discovery, dialogue, and the shared goal of transforming power for the love of humanity.
Agenda
9:45 am: Business Meeting
Join us for the Annual Business Meeting of the membership and celebrate the work of the Philanthropy New York community. Cast your vote to appoint Philanthropy New York’s new Directors, and share our appreciation for the outgoing board leadership of learning and reflection.
10:50 am: Phil Talk - Power Within Ourselves
We will begin the day by connecting to our minds, bodies, and spirits. Through guided prompts, you'll tap into your inner creativity while slowing down the mental chatter ahead of a full day of discussion. This session will foster a sense of camaraderie and connection with others in the room, and provide a powerful foundation for personal growth.
- Camila Diaz, Teacher, Lineage Project
11:05 am: Panel Discussion - Power Within Communities
What are the ways foundations can move beyond traditional models of philanthropy by fostering cross-sector collaboration and building community power? Power shapes our leadership inside and outside of our institutions. In this panel, we will unpack formal and informal power structures that characterize our work at the individual, institutional, and ecosystem levels. We will delve into the ways that funders are re-evaluating their strategy to support the consolidation of power with communities, rethinking practices to shift power into the hands of their nonprofit partners, and re-imagining the power dynamic internally within their organizations to empower staff to have a greater impact within their individual spheres of influence.
- Manuela Arciniegas, Executive Director, Communities for Just Schools Fund
- Yamani Yansà Hernandez, CEO, Groundswell Fund
- Alli Jernow, Vice President of Social Justice Program, Arcus Foundation
- Saida Agostini-Bostic (Moderator), CEO, Funders for LGBTQ Issues
12:30 pm: Networking Lunch
Put on your organizational role hat and join your role-alike peers over lunch to reflect on how power shows up in your day-to-day work. From identifying your spheres of influence to discussing strategies to shifting or redistributing power, take advantage of this networking lunch for support and peer-to-peer accountability.
1:30 pm: Power With Communities
Philanthropic institutions that are committed to a strategy that elevates power, voice, and agency at the community level are learning to navigate new ways of working. What does shifting power require of foundation boards and staff? What fundamental analysis must be shared? What are the conditions necessary to authentically engage in a different power posture with community leaders? Join our panelists as they share their organizations' journeys to build trusting and durable relationships and integrate real-time learning to remain accountable to a shared vision. From internal organizational culture to external community work, this session will explore mindsets, practices, and leadership postures that are needed to embody a "power with" approach.
- Hanh Le, Co-CEO, if, A Foundation for Radical Possibility
- Lisa Owens, Executive Director, Hyams Foundation
- Kellie Terry (Moderator), Philanthropy Programs Director, North Star Fund
2:30 pm: Visualizing Power - Activating Transition
Join Theatre of the Oppressed NYC for a warm-up using movement and personal narrative to deconstruct notions of power. Unleash your creativity and take a first step towards transforming dialogue and conversation into action using theater and play. Through discussion and reflection, we'll collectively analyze what makes someone or something powerful in philanthropy and who holds power in this field. This activation will serve to feed ideas into the concurrent sessions.
- Sulu LeoNimm, Executive Director, Theatre of the Oppressed NYC
- Liz Morgan, Director of Training & Pedagogy, Theatre of the Oppressed NYC
Concurrent Sessions
3:00 pm: Power of Advocacy: Wielding and Building Power
With the stakes higher than ever, philanthropy needs effective strategies to advocate for transformative impact. Learn how to leverage your position as a funder to influence policy changes that create a more favorable environment for your nonprofit partners’ work across intersectional issues. Join our conversationalists as they unpack what organizing can look like for philanthropy, followed by inspiring stories of local and national funder strategies for building power in the political landscape.
- Larisa Wick, President, The Wright Group NY
- Marlon Williams, Vice President of Public Policy and Collaboration, Philanthropy New York
- LaShanda Jackson (Moderator), Executive Director, Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation
3:00 pm: Visualizing Power - A Workshop
Dig deeper with Theatre of the Oppressed NYC through a workshop where you will activate your radical imagination and rehearse for the revolution of philanthropy. Through physical exploration, you'll examine how philanthropy functions, who benefits, and where we can start to intervene and create change. This thought-provoking workshop encourages critical dialogue and dismantles traditional ways of knowing. By sharing concrete perspectives, participants will have the opportunity to test actions toward a more equitable and inclusive future for philanthropy.
- Sulu LeoNimm, Executive Director, Theatre of the Oppressed NYC
- Liz Morgan, Director of Training & Pedagogy, Theatre of the Oppressed NYC
3:00 pm: Power In Connection: Building Communities of Practice - A Reflective Space
What is your role in making visible what’s invisible in order to shift power in service to racial equity? During this session, you’ll connect with your PNY colleagues in groups committed to shifting, sharing, building, or ceding power. Reflect on your strategies, your practices, and your spheres of influence from wherever you are at your foundation.
4:20 pm: Closing Remarks
How do you sign up?
Members: Please login and click the Register Now link above (no fee).
Philanthropy New York’s annual meeting is for PNY members and invited guests.
Registration is required by May 6th. RSVP is required to attend in person.
What else should you know?
Space is limited for this in-person event. Seating in the main room will be first-come, first-serve basis. Overflow rooms will be available.
** Security protocol: In accordance with the Ford Foundation's security protocols, all Annual Meeting guests will be required to follow additional security protocols including bag screening and ID check before they are allowed to access the building. All guests must present a photo ID with a name that matches the name on their registration. Guests should allow additional time to complete these screening procedures before the event begins. **
Please email register@philanthropynewyork.org with questions or for further information on this program or eligibility.
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