We are stronger together.
Through peer networks, affinity groups and collaboratives, you can connect with other funders around shared interests, learning and action. These groups are the heart and soul of Philanthropy Northwest — where conversations lead to new insights, where creative solutions are born and where you feel part of a community.
Regional Community Foundation Network
Through this network, community foundations across the Northwest are connecting on a deeper level and having greater impact. The network offers learning opportunities via webinars and an online community for members to share questions, resources and ideas with each other. Visit our Regional CF Network homepage to learn more or contact Maddy Metzger-Utt, our regional community foundation network advisor, with questions.
Affinity Groups
Affinity groups, which include Philanthropy Northwest members and non-members, are organized around shared interests and demographics to support more effective philanthropy.
Alaska Funders
More than 20 organizations meet quarterly to share information, learn from each other and take action on issues affecting the well-being of Alaskans.
BIPOC Folks in Philanthropy
This is a virtual gathering for individuals who work in philanthropy and identify as Black, Indigenous and/or a person of color (BIPOC) to come together for informal conversation and connection.
Black Folks in Philanthropy
These monthly, virtual gatherings are for individuals who work in philanthropy and identify as Black, African and/or African-American to come together for informal conversations.
Corporate Funders
Over 40 funders — from banks to retailers to foundations — connect to share ideas and explore ways to engage the corporate philanthropic sector to support a more vibrant Northwest.
Pierce County Funders
Within Pierce County, Washington, 20+ funders meet collectively for learning, networking and collective impact.
Program Officer Connection
Program officers from across our network meet up quarterly in a casual, virtual environment to socialize, learn about each other’s work, explore shared challenges and opportunities for further connection.
Rural Funders
Over 300 funders across the country participate in programs curated for issues specific to rural communities
How do I engage?
- Email our membership staff to connect with any of these affinity groups.
- Find any scheduled meetings for these affinity groups on our events calendar and search by the group name of interest.
Funder Collaboratives
Collaboratives unite Philanthropy Northwest members to act on issues they care about, such as pooling resources to invest in a joint initiative or advocating unitedly for a specific policy agenda. Our collaboratives include:
Anti-Hate Training Cohort
The Anti-Hate Training Cohort is designed to support organizations in learning how to be confident stewards to their donors’ investments, and accountable to the communities who are often the target of rhetoric espousing hate and violence.
Democracy Northwest Funders
Funders in Washington and Oregon work collectively to strengthen reflective democracy in the Northwest.
Expanded Learning and Youth Development Funders
Funders from across Washington state jointly advance philanthropic support for expanded learning, engage in peer learning, collaborate on strategy, and leverage influence and resources.
Health Philanthropy Partnership
Health funders throughout the region gather once a year before the annual Philanthropy Northwest conference. In addition, Washington state health funders convene twice a year to learn and grow capacity for advancing health equity.
Philanthropy for Child Well-Being
Funder, nonprofit and government partners gather every other month to learn and collaborate on child welfare and the juvenile justice system in Washington state.
Racial Equity Action Funders
Funders in Washington state meet regularly for peer learning, sharing best practices and taking collective action to center community and advance racial equity in philanthropy.
How do I engage?
- Reach out to our staff by email to join a collaborative.
- Find any scheduled meetings for these affinity groups on our events calendar and search by the collaborative name of interest.
Cohorts
Our cohorts are unique, structured opportunities that enable participants to share in peer co-learning experiences, professional development and support.
CEO Conversations: Leading Through Challenging Times
In these cohorts, executives come together to share, learn and reflect on the tensions and opportunities of leading through continued uncertainty due to the global pandemic and the racial unrest throughout the country. The cohort is a confidential and structured space to get support and consultation on the tough topics executives face.
How do I engage?
- Reach out to our staff by email to find out about current cohorts.
DEI Cohorts
DEI cohorts are unique, structured learning opportunities to delve deeper into diversity, equity and inclusion with your peers.
Executive Leadership Cohorts for Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI)
Executive leadership cohorts provide space for CEOs and trustees to share their own successes and challenges related to racial equity, diversity and inclusion leadership. Executive leadership cohorts will resume in 2023. Until then, you can find more information about our cohort design, outcomes and lessons learned in this report, "Leading for Racial Equity with Peer Support: Reflections on the Power of Cohorts for Learning, Resilience and Action."
Tribal Broadband Learning Community
This cohort engages in monthly discussions about topics related to broadband strategy, funding, planning and implementation for tribal communities.
Trust-Based Philanthropy
In partnership with the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, we offer a multi-part Trust-Based Philanthropy virtual cohort. This cohort is designed for foundation leaders interested in bringing greater vulnerability and humility to their philanthropic practices to advance more equitable and transparent funder-grantee relationships.
Initiative Cohorts
Through our initiatives, we connect philanthropy professionals, deepen our collective understanding of systemic racism and make progress on supporting more equitable communities. Learn more here:
Building Community Philanthropy
How do I engage?
- Email our programs staff about the Tribal Broadband Learning Community or see our events calendar for the next meeting.
- Visit our DEI Cohorts page to find out if you are eligible to participate in one of our cohorts.