Program Categories

Each year Philanthropy New York presents scores of programs that address a broad range of funding interests and professional skills. Program speakers come from within and outside the field of philanthropy to share their expertise. 
For up-to-date information regarding scheduled events, please see the Calendar of Events or contact register@philanthropynewyork.org.

Annual Meeting

We hold our Annual Meeting in the spring. It is usually a half-day event for members and invited guests and consists of a business meeting, a featured presenter, and a reception.

Program Series

• Not for New Grantmakers Only
  This annual series covers core skills for grantmakers. Designed primarily for staff and trustees with less than two years’ experience in the field, the series is also recommended for experienced grantmakers seeking a refresher in the basic tools of grantmaking.
• Financial/Tax Analysis
  To help determine the organizational performance of current and potential grantees, grantmakers turn to nonprofit financial statements and the IRS Form 990. Each year, our workshops in this series provide expert training in analyzing and comparing the two documents. The series also includes tax and legal updates and advanced sessions on the developmental stages of nonprofits.
• Decision Makers
  In-depth leadership programs are designed for CEOs, trustees, and other decision makers. For grantmakers with extensive experience in the field, specialized workshops present new trends and the opportunity to share expertise.
• Thought Leader
  Recognized pioneers, both within and outside the field of philanthropy, are invited to discuss their work and engage in dialogue with the audience.
• Corporate Grantmakers
  This series covers topics that are specific to corporate grantmaking and offers our corporate members an opportunity to network and learn from one another.
• Family Philanthropy
  Programs of specific interest to family foundation trustees, founders, and staff. Offerings include a monthly National Center for Family Philanthropy teleconference provided free of charge to Philanthropy New York members.
• Documentary Film Series
  We created the Documentary Series to get our members thinking about alternative mediums for promoting their missions. Documentary film is an example of one of the most powerful of these mediums. Documentaries often demonstrate how a relatively small amount of funds can make a large impact and help nonprofits and social advocates reach a broader audience.
• Telling Our Story
  Communications – telling the stories of grantees and the funders who support their work – is recognized as an essential part of philanthropy. This series brings new strategies and new media to the attention of our funding community.
• Evaluation
  Foundations face the challenge of evaluating their own practices and outcomes as well as those of their grantees – and of using these learnings to benefit future efforts. This series examines new approaches and lessons learned.
• Environmental Issues
  The series encompasses a broad range of environmental concerns.
• Of Personal/Professional Interest
  This series offers training to members in time management and other skills of use in their careers as well as beyond the office.

Members Briefings

Through Members Briefings, groups of members organize and produce issues-related programming. These sessions are usually open to all funders, not just members. In this way, grantmakers in our region learn from one another and from distinguished leaders and resource persons outside the grantmaking community. Learn more about creating your own Members Briefing.

Member Services

• 403(b) Retirement Plan We hold an annual program to report on the 403(b) Retirement Program (see Tax-Deferred Annuity Plan) available to member organizations.
• Grantmaking as a Career? One Grantmaker’s Personal Experience Members can refer interested individuals to this group informational interview, held three times yearly.
• Who’s Giving, Who’s Getting Grants: Using Foundation Directory Online is offered as a face-to-face program and in webinar format to train members in making effective use of this comprehensive database, free to members through our website.

Foundations on the Hill

Since 2003, Philanthropy New York has partnered with the Council on Foundations and the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers to offer Foundations on the Hill, an annual opportunity for grantmakers to meet with their federal lawmakers in Washington, D.C.  For more information about this annual event, contact info@philanthropynewyork.org.

Network and Committee Programs

In addition to meetings attended exclusively by their members, committees and peer networks sometimes present programs to the larger philanthropic community. See lists of Committees and Peer Networks.

Collaborative Events

We frequently collaborate with colleague organizations to present events of interest to members and others involved in the nonprofit/philanthropic sector.

Teleconferences, Webinars and Web Cast Programs

Philanthropy New York offers “distance learning” opportunities -- teleconferences, webinars and, most recently, web casts -- that you attend at your desk. When you register for a live program with a distance learning option, you will be asked to specify whether you will participate in person or via web cast, teleconference, etc. Want more information about our web cast format? Check out these frequently asked questions.  

Other Events by Colleague Organizations

Noteworthy programs presented by members and other colleague organizations are publicized online under the Community Calendar (events primarily in New York) and Philanthropy Currents (national listings).