Dear Reader,

Earlier this month, members of the GPA team had the privilege of attending the National Center For Family Philanthropy Forum in Atlanta. The event, centered around the theme Make Bold Choices to Achieve Bold Change, was an inspiring reminder of our role as stewards in philanthropy and the power of thoughtful, community-driven impact. We left with new tools and strategies to enhance our work, along with the encouragement to continually ask, "What if?" as we pursue bold goals to help solve big issues.



While reconnecting with friends, clients, and new colleagues who share a passion for philanthropy, we were especially inspired by several sessions. These included a place-based discussion; a panel of faith-based leaders collaborating for community benefit; and the closing plenary, which highlighted a 30-year partnership between a family foundation, East Lake Foundation, and Purpose Built Schools.

Helene Recovery

Our hearts are with those in Helene's path. We have many, many friends, family and colleagues affected and are seeking resources to help. If you feel pulled to help, please refer to these resources:

• Our friends at Philanthropy Southeast have started to compile a comprehensive list of organizations that are helping in the communities impacted.
• The Center for Disaster Philanthropy is hosting a webinar on Thursday, October 3rd, to help philanthropists understand how to effectively respond to the crisis.
• The Blue Ridge Public Radio has also provided a list of nonprofits, big and small, organizing in kind and monetary donations as well as volunteers focused in the Western North Carolina area.

As the response evolves and more organizations are involved, our team will share updates on LinkedIn and Instagram. Stay tuned.

Philanthropic Learning Journeys | How to Design for Impact

What is a Learning Journey?

A learning journey is a series of intentionally planned experiences with thought leaders in the field of philanthropy. It is more than just going on site visits. You may want to go deeper in understanding your role as an effective funder in a specific area. How can you work smarter and more creatively to make the philanthropic impact you wish to see in the world?

A learning journey can include a series of:

• Nonprofit site visits;
• Conversations with nonprofit leaders, policy makers and elected officials around specific issues or communities; 
• Travel study experiences to see how other funders are addressing issues in other communities;
• Watching a series of webinars addressing research and trends impacting specific issues or communities; 
• Reading articles, case studies, and research on a particular topic; and/or
• Visits with other philanthropic families to understand their giving journeys. 

Why embark on a Learning Journey?

Effective philanthropy requires continual inquiry and learning. When you embark on a learning journey as a family or as a board, it can reset how you collectively prioritize your grantmaking strategy. Getting out from behind the desk or board table can catalyze new thinking! You should strongly consider embarking on a learning journey to:

• Cultivate a culture of curiosity within a family or board.
• Create stronger relationships across family and with community partners.
• Help to get you “unstuck” when contemplating a specific funding strategy. A learning journey invites additional voices and perspectives into the conversation that help inform a family’s philanthropic strategy. Your network of experts expands.
• Catalyze vulnerability and, in turn, humility within a board or family; it helps you to recognize what you don’t know.
• Make decisions with greater confidence.

What We've Been Up To

What's Inspiring Us

Giving Done Right

The Giving Done Right Podcast Season 4 - The Center for Effective Philanthropy (48 minute and 43 minute listen per new episode)

We are excited to see the Center for Effective Philanthropy's Giving Done Right Podcast is back with season 4. The new series features climate scientist, author, and policy expert Ayana Elizabeth Johnson driving an empowering discussion on philanthropy's role in advancing climate solutions. Darren Walker also sits down to reflect on his tenure as President of the Ford Foundation and promote fighting for social justice and equality.

Spending a Fortune Wisely

How to Give Away a Fortune - The New Yorker (32 minute read)

This piece explores the complexities of giving away large sums of money. Austrian heiress, Marlene Engelhorn inherited a substantial fortune and enlisted a group of fifty everyday citizens to decide how to give away her wealth to solve social ills across Austria. This is a great example of participatory grantmaking to facilitate greater community impact.

Education Initiatives

Steph and Ayesha Curry's Plea to Philanthropy: Don't Let Pandemic-Era Tutoring Programs End - The Chronicle of Philanthropy (6 minute read)

We admire couple Steph and Ayesha Curry's continued generosity in the Oakland, California area. They're doubling down on their advocacy for and support of the continuation of tutoring programs that were established during the pandemic to support students in need. The Currys call on philanthropists to invest in these programs, highlighting their longterm impact on children's learning and development.

Refueling Generosity in America

America's Giving Crisis - and the Plan to Fix It - The Chronicle of Philanthropy (7 minute read)

The Generosity Commission's newly published study has a lot of people talking. "Today there are millions fewer volunteers and tens of millions fewer everyday donors than there were in the early aughts. The share of U.S. households that donated to a charity fell from 65.4 percent in 2008 to less than half of households — 49.6 percent — in 2018..." And yet, 74% of Americans indicate they want to be generous. This article identifies ways to better tap into this aspiration of generosity.

We're entering the fall feeling inspired having recently listened to many thought leaders in the field of philanthropy. The last quarter of the year always brings a renewed dedication to generosity. How are you planning for your year end gifts and community volunteerism?



Gratefully,

Kaky + The GPA Team