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, theirimagination- 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 - andreimagining- 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.
