OPPORTUNITIES Reimagining Philanthropy – 19
• The national and worldwide calls for change in philanthropy or for eyes to open wider and ears open wider. I think GGA is moving along nicely with that. This could be one of those organizations that help us think bigger broader about our roles as funders. • We know that philanthropy sometimes can perpetuate prejudice and injustice, and I think it's been a genuine intention to center programming and speakers who sparked that conversation and dialogue. • Yeah, I think a few years ago, prior to the pandemic, we'd decided that there were going to be two areas of focus. And then now it might be three, but this conversation around equity, and the other one around climate change, and I think those trends align with kind of where GGA was going in the first place. So that was pre-pandemic. Bridge Builder – 12 I feel like GGA is my connection to philanthropy to the trends regionally, how we are reading and speaking so that we can learn together. I like the ability to invite board members or others in leadership to be a part of GGA, which is often a great way to get others in our local philanthropic realm involved in the statewide conversation. I can start because I want to ... it's partially a strength and then an opportunity. So one of the things I wanted to lift up is that Lydia started to get together community foundations across the state so that we have a bi-monthly call, which has been helpful, especially during the pandemic, to stay connected. And in all honesty, I think we as a community foundation sector in the state, at least I've been told, we've been uneven in how often we've gotten together, right? So I think that's been a helpful thing. The North Carolina network of grantmakers and some others don't have SECF based in their state. SECF is based in Georgia, adding another layer of support upfront, especially if Lydia were ever to leave. • There's some practical aspects to this about staffing and governance and leadership and program design and so on that GGA needs to address. • One day, Lydia won't be leading GGA. So how do we put together a sustainable staffing structure that will let us continue to grow, prosper, and serve? Even beyond what we can imagine is life without Lydia. Innovative Business Model – 9 • It'd be interesting for GGA not just to convene and bring the people to talk about the work that they're doing but also how do small family foundations and community foundations fit into that puzzle so that we're not duplicating our efforts and are really being thoughtful about the overall structure of how all of these funds are being managed over the next few years especially. Capacity Building – 11 •
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