Hi everyone, before we get into this week’s topic, if you’re available this Thursday May 7th at 11am Pacific, please join me in this FREE webinar where I’ll be discussing board governance with Dimple Abichandani, author of A New Era of Philanthropy, and Monika Kalra Varma, President and CEO of BoardSource. Register here.
Also, on May 28th at 1pm to 2pm Pacific, I’ll be in conversation with some brilliant leaders (including Jan Masaoka and Al Cantor) about regulatory and tax reform of private foundations. Basically, we need to understand what’s going on so we can push for policies and laws to curb foundations’ and wealthy individuals’ unconscionable wealth hoarding habits. Yes, it’s a bit wonky, but we’ll break it down so it’s easy to digest. It’ll be fun! And it’s free. Register here.
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A few days ago, I joined 100+ leaders at the Community-Centric Fundraising family reunion in San Diego. There are few events I attend where I feel completely at ease. Everyone was thoughtful about not recreating the default (i.e., white corporate) dynamics we see in other spaces. Even though we were discussing some serious issues—such as the ethics of using AI in fundraising—there was a palpable sense of community, authenticity, and joy. I never once felt like I had to code-switch. It was a rejuvenating couple of days for me.
Especially since I didn’t present at all. I didn’t do welcoming remarks. I gave zero speeches. I attended the sessions in t-shirt and flip-flops and stuffed my face with snacks, listening and learning from the many amazing voices who led the workshops and discussions.
But because I stayed on-site, I saw how hard the CCF leaders worked. They had planned this event for months, handling hundreds of logistical details needed to make this gathering a success. Before the reunion took place, they were already there, having a pre-reunion retreat on CCF’s direction. Easel papers covered with sticky notes were pasted all around the walls. Several leaders stayed up until midnight or later the day before the event, preparing their presentations and then were up at 6am the next day to set up signs, lay out breakfast, and do other tasks.
Conveners like the CCF leaders are an example of our sector’s “spaceholders,” a term I learned from healer Gina Breedlove at a gathering of progressive donors and movement leaders last fall, where I was invited to do a 30-minute stand-up comedy set about nonprofit and philanthropy. Gina came up to me and said, “Vu, I see you as a spaceholder. I’m having a meeting of fellow spaceholders later and I welcome you to attend.”
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