Learning and Action Cohorts

NCFP Learning and Action Cohorts are ongoing peer cohorts dedicated to deep and shared learning about a specific concept in family philanthropy, with an expectation of a commitment to defined action(s) after the completion of the program. Each cohort collectively works through a curriculum with discrete learnings carried out by multiple peer learning events led by experts in the field. Learning and Action Cohorts provide a connected and dedicated peer community while challenging funders to think differently and commit to learning and real action.

Interested in learning more about Learning and Action Cohorts? Complete this interest form.

Women’s Power and Influence Learning & Action Cohort

The Women’s Power and Influence Learning and Action Cohort is designed for members to learn with and from peers and other leading experts about advancing women’s power and influence to achieve gender equity in the US. We are receiving funding from Pivotal Ventures, a Melinda French Gates Company, to host the Women’s Power and Influence Learning and Action Cohort. Pivotal Ventures will match eligible grants committed by our donors to charities working to expand women’s power and influence and gender equality in the US.

This community of practice will allow you to delve expertly into the problems, opportunities, and strategies for accelerating gender equity in the here and now—and will meet monthly from January to May 2023. The Cohort is designed for family philanthropy donors and staff leaders who are interested in exploring or are committed to: funding social justice issues (e.g., democracy, racial justice, economic justice, health, media/arts), advancing gender equity, and strengthening women’s power and influence in the US.

The Women’s Power and Influence Learning and Action Cohort is in progress. If you are interested in participating in the next cohort, please complete this interest form.

Program designed in partnership with Jennifer Cho, Sarah Vaill, and their team at Panorama

Curriculum design and facilitation by Jennifer Cho and Sarah Vaill

Racial Justice Learning & Action Cohort

Further details for the next cohort are to be confirmed. If you are interested in participating in the next cohort, please complete this interest form.

The Racial Justice Learning and Action Cohort is an educational opportunity for family foundation trustees interested in advancing racial justice practices, both personally and professionally. Philanthropy has been slow to embrace equity and it is clear that effective and meaningful impact can only be realized with an active commitment to racial justice.

The National Center for Family Philanthropy is committed both to expanding equity practices within the organization and to helping giving families adopt a racial justice lens in their grantmaking and governance practices. The Racial Justice Learning and Action Cohort was designed as a space where family foundation board members can build their own knowledge of systemic racism to improve their practices, and ultimately be better stewards of the public trust.

Funded with generous support from the Ford Foundation, the Surdna Foundation, and the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation

Program designed in partnership with Bari Katz, Edgar Villanueva, and NCFP Fellows June Wilson, Ginny Esposito, Mary Mountcastle, and Kelly Nowlin

Curriculum design and facilitation by Bari Katz and Edgar Villanueva

Trust-Based Family Philanthropy Learning and Action Cohort

(July–September 2023)

The National Center for Family Philanthropy and The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project will be hosting a six-part Learning and Action Cohort for family philanthropy leaders interested in leveraging their philanthropy toward a more just and equitable nonprofit sector. At its core, trust-based philanthropy is about addressing power imbalances and shifting our culture and practices so that nonprofits have the time, space, and support they need in order to advance their work. This Learning and Action Cohort is specifically designed for executives and trustees of family foundations who are ready to embrace and/or deepen their commitment to trust-based practices and operationalize a more equity-aware, trust-based culture within their organizations.

The program next cohort will begin in July 2023 and applications have closed. If you are interested in participating in the next cohort, please complete this interest form.

Program designed in partnership with Carrie Avery, Dimple Abichandani, Shaady Salehi, and The Philanthropy Workshop

Facilitation by Liz Bonner and Mailee Walker

Mission Investing Institute & Action Cohorts

Courtesy of Leon on Unsplash

This learning program is presented by the National Center for Family Philanthropy in partnership with Mission Investors Exchange and Philanthropy California. The learning opportunity is designed to deepen impact investing knowledge, provide a space for participants to build relationships with other leaders in philanthropy, and offer practical tools to implement an effective impact investing strategy.

Through a core curriculum supplemented with three small group cohorts, participants will hear from industry peers, apply the learnings with fellow philanthropy and finance professionals, and learn from seasoned investors in the field.

Applications for the 2023 cohort are now open. Please register here.

Program designed in partnership with Mission Investors Exchange and Philanthropy California

Curriculum design and facilitation by Mission Investors Exchange

NCFP Learning and Action Cohorts are ongoing peer cohorts dedicated to deep and shared learning about a specific concept in family philanthropy, with an expectation of a commitment to defined action(s) after the completion of the program. Each cohort collectively works through a curriculum with discrete learnings carried out by multiple peer learning events led by experts in the field. Learning and Action Cohorts provide a connected and dedicated peer community while challenging funders to think differently and commit to learning and real action.

Interested in learning more about Learning and Action Cohorts? Complete this interest form.