Twenty years ago, a group of passionate leaders new to philanthropy imagined a home for themselves in the sector - a place where they could make connections, develop as professionals, and explore ways to change philanthropy for the better. Together, they built that home - partnership by partnership, grant by grant, local chapter by local chapter. Their commitment and dedication - and most importantly, their imagination - made Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy possible.
In the two decades since, both EPIP and the philanthropic sector have grown. EPIP now includes fourteen chapters that connect and support leaders in philanthropic communities across the country, a network for people of color within the sector, programming that brings philanthrofolk together to think differently about philanthropy’s role in social change and their individual roles within that work, and a mission and vision that explicitly centers the push for greater equity and social justice in all that we do. EPIP has carved out a much-needed space within the sector as both a continued home for emergent, inclusive leadership and an advocate that strives to make space within philanthropy for that leadership to thrive. And yet in many ways our work has just begun.
Our 20th anniversary provides us with an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come...and how much further we have to go in the journey towards liberation. Philanthropy has a responsibility to aid in the creation of a world where all people thrive, where communities have a voice in determining their own destiny, and where people of color are empowered partners and leaders in the work of creating lasting justice. EPIP has the responsibility - and the vision - to support, develop, and connect the leaders who will turn that potential into reality. Like EPIP’s founders, we are imagining - and reimagining - what this sector is and can be. As we celebrate all that we have accomplished this anniversary year and look ahead to all that we can build going forward, we invite you to join us.
Storme Gray, Executive Director
Anthony Simmons, Chair, Advisory Board
A Look Ahead: How We're Celebrating Our 20th
The 2021 Virtual National Conference
From June 7th - 11th, connect with your philanthropic peers for learning, connection, and celebration at EPIP's 2021 Virtual National Conference!
Communities of Practice
Find your community! EPIP will build on the space we hold for people of color within philanthropy by expanding the People of Color Network and launching two additional communities of practice - a white affinity and allyship community and a leadership space for women of color.
Quarterly Leadership Salons
Listen in and join the conversation as leaders from EPIP’s past and present reflect on what it takes to be an inclusive leader in today’s philanthropic sector and what the future of philanthropy could hold.
The Unity Summit
Be part of a movement for change. Join EPIP and our CHANGE Philanthropy partners October 25th -28th for a conference that brings together hundreds of philanthrofolk from across the sector to learn from movement leaders, thought leaders, and each other.
Webinars and Workshops
Learn as you grow. We’re bringing you webinars and workshops all year long that feature dynamic speakers and showcase the knowledge of our CHANGE partners, peer PSO communities, and more.
Philanthropology™
Go beyond grantmaking. Learn the fundamentals and history of the philanthropic sector through a social justice lens. EPIP will ground new philanthropic practitioners in the context and challenges of philanthropy, with a curriculum that brings our Inclusive Leadership Framework to life, with an emphasis on self-advocacy tools for the next generation of inclusive grantmakers.
Leadership Re/Imagined
Reimagined leadership is open. It is honest. It is vulnerable. And it is messy at times. But when we talk about leadership, when we talk about justice in philanthropy, reimagining is the work - OUR individual and collective work.
Towards A New Vision Of Leadership ->
A Look Back: A Few Key Moments from EPIP's First 10 Years
Rusty Stahl, Alejandro Amezcua, and Wendy Heller decide to create a space for young people attending the Council on Foundations’ annual conference. 40 people attend and future key organizers of EPIP meet, including Allison Goldberg, Laura Loescher, and Sanda Balaban.
The Ford Foundation makes a grant to establish EPIP as a formal entity under the advisement of then Senior Program Officer Linetta Gilbert. Colin Greer, president of New World Foundation, offers the foundation as fiscal sponsor at a low rate, and provides in-kind office space within their UWS suite. Rusty becomes EPIP’s first staff member.
EPIP becomes an officially recognized “Affinity Group” of the Council on Foundations. The first member-chapter manuals are developed for EPIP Chapters across the country - led by Board Co-Chairs Melissa Johnson and Rohit Burhman.
EPIP's Professional Development Fund (now the People of Color Network) established to widen the leadership pipeline through the provision of leadership development opportunities specific to emerging philanthropic practitioners of color. First EPIP Chapter Leader Gathering held in San Diego. Spokes begin to form between the various EPIP hubs around the country.
Building on salon sessions held at the previous year’s Council on Foundations annual conference, EPIP creates and curates a “Next Generation Track” at the Council on Foundations Leadership Summit.
EPIP holds a conference in Philadelphia and celebrates its 10th Anniversary. Festivities include an anniversary party on Mooshaloo Boat featuring dancing, awards, and camaraderie.
