For other philanthropy networks that exist within Massachusetts, or national networks that have city or state level presence, Philanthropy Massachusetts serves as an ally, providing support in different ways. Each of these networks has a specific contact person listed within their respective decriptions listed below.
AAPIP (Asian American/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy): A national membership and philanthropic advocacy organization working to expand and mobilize resources for Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities to build a more just and equitable society. For more information on AAPIP-Boston, contact the current chapter Chair Hehershe Busuego.
Boston Education Funders (BEF) is an affinity group focused on increasing strategic and impactful education grantmaking in Boston, across the district, charter and parochial sectors and from pre-K through post-secondary, in both classroom and out-of-school settings. BEF engages, informs, and networks Boston’s education philanthropy community through monthly discussions focused on timely education issues on the local, state and national levels. For more information, contact Kathleen Traphagen, BEF Coordinator.
Boston Philanthropic Advisors Roundtable (BPART) and International Assocation of Advisors in Philanthropy - AiP's Boston Chapter: BPART, an all-volunteer organization, offers quality programming and networking opportunities to Boston’s philanthropic community at no cost to members. As of October 2018, BPART is partnering with a national organization, The International Association of Advisors in Philanthropy (AiP), and BPART’s will take on its new designation as AiP’s Boston Chapter (AiP-BPART). Like BPART, AiP is a diverse forum of professional advisors who are dedicated and inspired to teach and empower clients to effectively direct their philanthropic resources consistent with their deepest values. Members will be able to take advantage of AiP’s national membership and speaker network, monthly educational webinars and “philanthropic power calls”, and attend AiP’s Annual Conference on Philanthropy. Additionally, AIP-BPART can now offer continuing education credit for events across a variety of disciplines.
Cambridge Funders: Cambridge Funders is a voluntary association of some 30 funders representing Cambridge private and corporate foundations, universities, and banks. Contact: Geeta Pradham, Executive Director of the Cambridge Community Foundation, 99 Bishop Allen Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139.
Celebrity and Athlete Foundation Forum: The Celebrity and Athlete Foundation Forum was created in 2012 and is a professional networking group for Founders, Executive Directors, staff and others who support the charitable work of professional athletes, celebrities and sports teams in the Boston community. Membership is open to individuals, charitable foundations, for - profit companies and sports team foundations supporting and working with high profile individuals who understand the importance of serving and giving back to their community. For more information on membership, contact founder and co-director Lisa Borges.
Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy: (EPIP)'s mission is to empower emerging leaders and elevate philanthropic practice in order to build a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. Our national programs, regional member-led chapters, and sector advocacy give emerging leaders the opportunity to hone their craft, connect with peers around the country, develop authentic approaches to their leadership, and grow in and into an equitable sector that supports their full development as practitioners. For more information on EPIP's national programming and events, visit www.epip.org or contact us at membership@epip.org. For more information on EPIP's Boston chapter, visit https://www.epip.org/boston_chapter.
Massachusetts Youth Philanthropy Network: The Massachusetts Youth Philanthropy Network originated in 2014 from a desire to convene program directors and facilitators from regional youth philanthropy programs as well as the young people who participate in these programs. The Network convenes regularly to discuss the youth philanthropy landscape, best practices, and program strategies as well as to explore opportunities for youth convening. For more information, contact Sheryl Seller (The Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy at Brandeis University), Matt Jose (Foundation for MetroWest), or Bowen Lee (Nativity School of Worcester).
Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP): NAP mission's is to promote equitable and effective philanthropy in Native communities. The local chapter of NAP is chaired by Quita Sullivan, New England Foundation for the Arts.
New England Blacks in Philanthropy (NEBIP): New England Blacks in Philanthropy is an organization that unites Black philanthropists, trustees, and grantees, to enhance philanthropy’s ability to address the needs of Black communities locally, nationally, and globally. Our mission is to inform, reform, and transform the practice of philanthropy. We are bringing forth a paradigm shift in philanthropy from focusing on Black deficits to shining a light on our considerable assets and financial leverage in order to increase the potential in our communities with the power of Black philanthropy. For more information or to join, contact Bithiah Carter, President, NEBIP.
Network of Engaged International Donors (NEID): NEID is a vibrant community of engaged global philanthropists learning, giving, investing and partnering together to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and human rights for all. Through strategic networking, educational opportunities, and information sharing we aim to spark donor action and collaboration. Please contact neid@tpi.org for more information.
PEAK Grantmaking: PEAK Grantmaking is an affinity group of professionals whose role includes grants manager functions. Its purpose is to provide a forum and peer network for learning, information exchange, professional growth and networking for grants managers and other grants management professionals in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island. Contact co-chairs Paula Lentoni or Corey Davis.
Progressive Mass. Funders Collaborative (PMFC): PMFC is a group of individual social justice donors committed to leveraging funds to build a more progressive Massachusetts. We believe in short term victories as well as bolstering a permanent, year round progressive infrastructure in MA. We meet together to learn, strategize and align our funding for greater impact. We want to build a more democratic and equitable Massachusetts through the resurgence of policies that help underrepresented communities. Should you be interested in attending a meeting or learning more, please contact Alexandra Russell.
Social Justice Funders Network of Massachusetts (SJFN): The SJFN emerged in 2011 from the collective desire of progressive foundations and donors to build relationships and advance learning among those in the philanthropic sector working to address the root causes of the injustices in our communities. Sheryl Seller (The Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy, Brandeis University) is the contact for this Network.
Network Values:
1. Reimagine what role philanthropy has in social change
2. Develop authentic and supportive relationships with each other
3. Create spaces for fellowship, learning, and practice
4. Innovate/experiment collectively
5. Ensure accountability to the communities we serve
The Solidarity Philanthropy Learning Circle: Over the course of a year and a half, The Solidarity Philanthropy Learning Circle will engage in collective learning around Solidarity Economies and Solidarity Philanthropy among people who work in philanthropy. This is part of the Solidarity Economy Initiative, a funder and grassroots collaborative that co-designs and runs a grassroots “new economies” innovation lab. The Learning Circle practices center reparations and regenerative giving, promoting democracy and collective decision making, and shifting power to those most marginalized by systems of oppression. Support in this program allows our grassroots members to further envision, practice, and create a transformative economy, while radically expanding our notions of giving through Solidarity Philanthropy practices. Grassroots leaders are given control to distribute the pooled fund through a participatory grant-making process, further supporting and promoting Solidarity Economy efforts within the grassroots cohort. Contact: Jasmine Gomez, Program Director at Access Strategies Fund for additional information.
South Coast Funders’ Group: The South Coast Funders’ Group brings together local philanthropic efforts, including private, corporate, and community foundations, and local United Ways, that seek to improve the effectiveness of our cumulative impact on our community. Specifically, we seek to accomplish this by serving as a sounding board to share best practices and mutually beneficial updates; as a resource to support the non-profit sector with technical assistance and professional development; and as a funding collaborative.
United Philanthropy Forum: The Forum is a philanthropic network comprised of 34 regional associations of grantmakers with more than 5500 participating organizations, making it the largest network in American philanthropy. With deep regional roots and a broad nationwide reach, the Forum Network facilitates effective philanthropy that strengthens communities and improves lives throughout the United States. We fill an important role in the philanthropic sector by improving the effectiveness of foundations and expanding their capacity to advance the common good. In addition to Philanthropy Massachusetts, New England is home to three other regional associations with whom we often partner: