A Quantum Leap Forward: How Funders Can Go from Building “Capacity” to Building “Resilience” in Their Grantees and the Nonprofit Sector

When: 
Thursday, November 14, 2013 -
7:45am to 11:00am EST
Where: 
Philanthropy New York
4th floor, 79 Fifth Avenue, NYC
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Please join us for an important conversation that will explore how funders can help both their grantees and the broader nonprofit sector become more resilient. Philanthropy New York has convened a number of its member foundations during the last three years in an initial effort to foster a deeper appreciation of the critical role funders must play in building a thriving, resilient nonprofit sector. Such approaches — traditionally called “capacity building” — have important secondary and tertiary functions when done strategically rather than in isolation: as we learned in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, these strategies create in the long term resilient organizations that in turn buttress resilient communities.

Our panelists will engage participants in: a deeper discussion of “capacity-building” efforts in New York; a look at one organization that spiraled for want of resiliency; and exploring ways funders can collaborate in this work by describing how other funder networks have matured from a small start into substantial, impactful efforts. New York City’s foundation sector is leading on many fronts of this “resiliency” effort. Whether you are new or seasoned in this work, you’ll get much out of this conversation.

*Philanthropy New York will host a facilitated funder-only roundtable immediately following the panel from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM (lunch provided) to explore if and how funders can create a formalized network to advance a commitment to strategically building resilience in New York’s nonprofit sector. Philanthropy New York members who would like to participate in this roundtable should contact Jason McGill at register@philanthropynewyork.org.

Presenters