Are You Listening? How To Become A More Responsive, Effective, and Equitable Grantmaker

Foundations are most effective -- and can make the most difference in the world -- when their decisions are informed by the insights of the people and communities most harmed by the systems and structures philanthropy is seeking to change. This session will provide leaders with a framework to think in a systematic way about how they can take up listening practices that center the experiences and voices of the people and communities at the heart of our work.

In this virtual session, participants will learn about emerging tools and resources to help them reflect on how they listen, how their foundation can meaningfully respond to community in their work, and how they can shift and share power with people with lived expertise in their foundation strategy and grantmaking. Facilitators will also share real-life examples of funder listening practices that center the experiences and voices of the people and communities at the heart of our work. Through a dynamic mix of presentation, individual reflection time, and interactive small groups, participants will identify strategies and recommend next steps to bring listening, responding, and shifting power to life in their own foundations.