Philanthropy Forward brings together CEOs of foundations who are already supporting racial and gender justice and community power building to make deeper change at the individual, organizational, and philanthropic field levels.

This collaborative program is designed and delivered by Neighborhood Funders Group and The Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions in collaboration with design consultants and facilitators.

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"This is what dismantling white supremacy and centering Black liberation looks like in philanthropy. Thank you deeply for your leadership and work in making this initiative happen even when it may have been painful or uncomfortable. I am excited for the transformation [that a Philanthropy Forward Fellow’s work] will have on Black communities… as a philanthropic partner both locally and nationally."

“Philanthropy can be so isolating and it’s really hard in an institution to figure out what you can do. Belonging to a group of people helps keep you accountable, keep you feeling, keep you full with new ideas, and pushes you forward. [Philanthropy Forward] has been an experience that I’ve not had in my career and it is pretty special.” 

Fellows engage in the following core program elements:

  • In-person sessions with their cohort and the full Philanthropy Forward Network (including alum from cohorts 1, 2, and 3).
  • Peer coaching
  • Access to facilitation team for 1:1 coaching conversations
  • Webinars with Philanthropy Forward Network
  • Network organizing including cross-cohort support & co-conspiring and gatherings at funder convenings
  • Racial identity subgroup work
  • Optional 360 Assessment

Philanthropy Forward’s programming is rooted in the following frameworks: 

  • Analysis: racial and gender justice, community power building
  • Leadership: liberated gatekeeping and accountability practices, strategic risk taking for leading change