As Presidents’ Day approaches, I’m reflecting on the leadership our communities need right now: leadership grounded in courage, humility, and a willingness to engage across differences. That theme came to life at Exponent Philanthropy’s 2025 Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio. One event in particular stands out: our second-day plenary, a staged reading of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick... Read More
Imagine your neighborhood, town, city, or rural community is facing a significant need or an exciting opportunity, yet it is lacking the financial resources to respond. Too often, the funding and decisions that shape our communities are made far from home without local voices at the table. Even when wealth has been built from the... Read More
Last week, I attended Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) in Washington, DC, with three Exponent Philanthropy colleagues to discuss how federal policy changes impact our communities and nonprofit partners. The 22nd FOTH brought together a record number of donors, foundation leaders, and nonprofit staff to be briefed on legislative actions and provided guidance advocacy in... Read More
Recent executive orders and policy shifts have created uncertainty across the nonprofit sector, leaving many organizations grappling with potential funding cuts and operational disruptions. While some orders have been rescinded, new challenges and changes will continue to emerge in the weeks and months ahead. In times like these, philanthropy plays a critical role in providing... Read More
Reflections on Our 2024 Annual Conference Earlier this month, the Exponent Philanthropy community gathered in Austin, TX, to reflect on a year marked by profound challenges and opportunities on local, national, and global levels. Through diverse perspectives and meaningful conversations, we reaffirmed the depth, resilience, and collective power of our community. Amid these challenges, our... Read More
Exponent Philanthropy members are making a significant impact, serving diverse communities locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. Recently, I had an exciting few days meeting with over 30 members, partners, and supporters in the states of Oregon and Washington. I began my journey in Portland where participants expressed excitement and appreciation for the opportunity to connect... Read More