Tools and Techniques for Effective Practice
Philanthropy New York's Essential Skills and Strategies for New Grantmakers orients new program officers and directors to their role as funders. This three-day intensive course helps philanthropy newcomers build a framework for understanding and implementing ethical and effective grantmaking. It is a part of our PNY Core offerings.
The program prepares program officers and directors for the “science” of philanthropy – offering training on the tools and skills to be effective grantmakers and philanthropy professionals overall. Through highly interactive sessions with peers, it also offers strategies for managing the “art” of philanthropy – building participant intuitive skills that bring greater clarity regarding their role and help build self-awareness of their unique contributions within the larger sphere of social change.
We intentionally keep the class size small (20 – 25 participants) so attendees can build relationships with peers and develop a peer learning framework that will enhance their practice going forward.
Intended Outcomes
Upon completing ESS, participants will be able to employ tools and skills learned to:
- Discuss philanthropy’s role in the social change ecosystem
- Respond to legal and ethical issues
- Make sound funding recommendations
- Communicate effectively as directors and program officers
- Discuss evaluation and learning methods used in philanthropy
- Recognize variables that help or hinder capacity to maximize grant impact
- Apply reflective practice in their philanthropy careers, which includes:
- A personal strategy: how to recognize and analyze the interplay between role, self and the systems context
- Relationship building: how to approach and grow relationships authentically, with colleagues in philanthropy and with grantees
(Since PNY offers an extensive financial series, this course will not cover financial analysis.)
Program Schedule
- Thursday, January 25, 2018 - 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
- Friday, January 26, 2018 - 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Snow date: Monday, January 29)
- Friday, February 2, 2018 - 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Snow date: Monday, February 5)
- Friday, February 9, 2018 - 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (includes closing reception) (Snow date: Monday, February 12)
Please note: Participation in all events is mandatory. Please hold the scheduled dates and snow dates on your calendar.
Eligibility
- ESS is designed for and open to program officers and directors with less than three years of experience in the philanthropic sector and who have the following responsibilities:
- Programmatic due diligence of potential grants (i.e., proposal review, site visits)
- Communicate funding recommendations and decisions to foundation stakeholders (i.e., CEO and/or Board, grantees)
- Assessment of grant performance and evaluation of grantmaking portfolio
- Participants are required to submit a Statement of Support from a supervisor, as this program requires significant time out of the office.
- Please apply only if grantmaking is the core component of your position as the curriculum focuses almost exclusively on grantmaking.
- Given the high demand for this program, ESS is only open to Philanthropy New York members.
Application Process
The 2018 class is currently full. To be notified when the 2019 class is posted, email Kristen Ruff.
- Applications are accepted from November 13 to December 15, 2017.
- There are two components to the application:
- Candidate application: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ESS2018 (Preview application)
- Supervisor statement of support: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ESS2018Supervisor
- Both must be received by Friday, December 15, 2017.
- In order to apply, you must meet all eligibility requirements. Please review these carefully.
We will follow-up with all applicants by December 20 regarding participation in the program.
Space is limited to 25 individuals. (We limit participation per organization in order to accommodate as many member organizations as we can.)
Questions? Contact Kristen Ruff, Vice President of Member Services.
