In a year defined by political polarization, rising community needs, and shifting expectations across the philanthropic sector, 2025 challenged funders to reconsider how they show up and where they can make the greatest difference. Nonprofits faced mounting pressures, from constrained budgets to expanding service demands, requiring deeper partnerships, greater flexibility, and renewed trust.
Against this backdrop, our community came together in Columbus with a shared sense of purpose. Gathering nearly 500 attendees from 43 states, U.S. territories, and two countries, the conference offered space for honest conversations, learning from diverse perspectives, and reconnecting around what matters most.
We were reminded that the strength of our network lies not only in what we fund, but in how we collaborate—with grantees, with one another, and with the people closest to the issues.
“Exponent Philanthropy is a place where small foundations can make a difference… where you can say the quiet part out loud and, together, grapple with tough issues and complex solutions.” — 2025 Conference attendee
What emerged in Columbus was a renewed commitment to equity, proximity, community-led change, and a clear message: even in uncertain times, lean funders have an essential role to play in driving meaningful, people-centered impact.
Highlights From Our Time in Columbus
Meeting This Moment: Outsized Impact Today
The conference opened with a powerful plenary honoring the resilience and creativity of nonprofits serving communities through an extraordinarily challenging year.
2025 Award Winner: Tomás Alvarez III
We were honored to recognize Tomás Alvarez III, Trustee at the Grunin Foundation, as this year’s Outsized Impact Award Honoree. Across all three finalists, more than 900 votes were cast, reflecting the deep engagement of our community.
Tomás has spent more than two decades advancing equity and well-being through social work, youth development, and philanthropic innovation. From pioneering Hip Hop Therapy to codirecting the Grunin Foundation’s DEIB work, Tomás shows what bold, community-centered leadership can achieve.
During the plenary, he shared:
“Thank you for recognizing that bold change is possible when you invest in humanity.”
Following the announcement, Tomás joined a dynamic panel with past award winners Alece H.M. Montez and Sheena Solomon, who offered strategies for staying proximate, building trust, and navigating uncertainty with clarity and compassion.
- Learn more about Tomás’s work and this year’s other finalists in our blog: 2025 Outsized Impact Award Finalists.
Plenary Spotlight: A Walk to Respect
Produced by The Patterson Foundation, this staged reading brought to life the first meeting between Lincoln and Douglass, two leaders with profoundly different views who chose courage, candor, and shared purpose over division. Written by Beth Duda, with poetry by Cedric Hameed, the performance invited us to consider how respectful dialogue can bridge divides and move communities forward.
- For a deeper look at the play and its message, see The Patterson Foundation’s blog: Walking Toward Respect: A Transformative Plenary at the 2025 Exponent Philanthropy Conference.
Members Meeting: Building Momentum Together
Board Chair Nina Cohen, JD, opened this year’s Annual Members Meeting with reflections on Exponent Philanthropy’s strong financial footing and continued organizational progress. Members elected new and returning directors and welcomed the 2025–2026 Executive Committee:
- Nina Cohen, JD (George & Mary Kremer Foundation) – Chair
- Courtney Rice (Northern Virginia Health Foundation) – Vice Chair / Chair-Elect
- Diana Bucco (The Buhl Foundation) – Treasurer
- Henry Rael (Marshall L. and Perine D. McCune Charitable Foundation) – Secretary
- Dr. Rahsaan Harris (Harris Pinckney Fund) – Immediate Past Chair
We also celebrated the service of departing directors and outgoing officers Debra Moniz (Cedar Tree Foundation), Taylor Gray (Countess Moira Charitable Foundation), and Rich Ribeiro (The Turrell Fund).
CEO Paul D. Daugherty delivered an inspiring State of the Network and announced that the 2026 Annual Conference will take place in Portland, Oregon, November 11–13, 2026.
Rediscovering the Joy of Doing Good
CEO Peer Group Chair John McNeal closed the conference with a powerful reminder that joy is not a byproduct of our work; it is a practice. Through stories and grounding exercises, he invited attendees to reconnect with purpose, cultivate gratitude, and carry forward a spirit of hope.
Engaging Discussions & Sessions
This year’s conference featured dozens of sessions that centered on what matters most: strengthening people, organizations, and communities. Attendees explored practical tools and big-picture insights to help nonprofits and funders meet this moment with clarity and impact.
Attendees shared:
“This conference is so relevant to our work as a foundation. I learned new skills… and gained new insights into grantmaking and operations.”
“Best conference I’ve ever attended. Excellent presenters and actionable takeaways.”
“I have a newfound appreciation for the depth of knowledge the Exponent community provides.”
Session Highlights & Key Takeaways
990-PF Tax Pre Con Seminar
Brian Yacker (Baker Tilly) delivered an action-packed, line-by-line walk-through of the Form 990-PF and six key excise taxes, with practical guidance on avoiding IRS pitfalls.
- See our companion blog, Six Excise Taxes Every Private Foundation Needs to Know.
Communication That Works: Tools and Strategies for Lean Funders
Dan Wolfert and Jenna Wachtmann (Ball Brothers Foundation) shared practical communication strategies, from content planning to digital storytelling to leveraging AI for small teams.
From Grantmaker to Changemaker: An Intro to Catalytic Leadership
Brendan McCormick offered a hands-on introduction to CLIP, helping participants identify actionable next steps toward more relational, catalytic philanthropy.
- To further explore this framework, visit our Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy (CLIP) resource page.
Responsive Grantmaking Amid Legal and Social Change
Carolina Salmeron (Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation), Lauren Blitzer (Leland Fikes Foundation), Lauren Scott (Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund), and Naomi Orensten (Krupp Family Foundation) shared strategies for helping lean funders stay grounded in their values while adapting grantmaking amid legal and social shifts.
- For more on this topic, see Lauren Blitzer’s blog, Funding in Uncertain Times: Anchoring Principles for Responsive Philanthropy.
Peer-Led AI Session
Participants mapped use cases for AI in philanthropy, while naming critical ethical considerations around privacy, bias, accuracy, and preserving human relationships.
Foundations 101 Series
Sessions hosted by GMA Foundations, Strategic Philanthropy, Ltd., Adler & Colvin, Truist, and Intentional Philanthropy helped newer funders build confidence in administration, grantmaking, legal basics, investment oversight, and governance.
- Those looking to deepen their learning can continue with our full Foundations 101 series.
Leadership Development & Peer Communities
Opportunities for leadership development and peer connection infused the conference, bringing participants together to reflect, strengthen their practice, and build communities of support that extend far beyond the event itself.
Next Gen Fellows Program Kickoff
Our 2025 Next Gen cohort kicked off with an energizing pre-conference session bringing together 19 emerging leaders. Participants built connections, reflected on their strengths, and heard from Catalytic Funders about leading with clarity and purpose, setting the tone for a rich cohort experience that continues through spring 2026.
- Additional information about the Next Gen Fellowship is available here.
BIPOC Connection, Community & Belonging
Participants who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color gathered for meaningful dialogue and connection, creating space to show up authentically, share experiences, and build lasting solidarity.
Executive Leadership Connections Mini-Retreat
Leaders shared candid reflections on governing and managing lean organizations, expanding their peer networks, and navigating emerging challenges together.
Connecting With the Columbus Community
Exploring Local Impact Through Site Visits
This year’s site visits offered a powerful look at philanthropy in action across Columbus.
- At Life Care Alliance, attendees toured one of the nation’s largest Meals on Wheels providers and explored how the 127-year-old organization blends volunteers, social enterprise, and philanthropy to support thousands of older adults.
- At Star House, Central Ohio’s only drop-in center for youth experiencing homelessness, participants saw how the organization provides essentials, safety, and pathways to housing, health care, education, and employment. This included touring Carol Stewart Village, an innovative community co-owned by Star House and partners that support young adults transitioning into stable, independent futures.
Art & Music in Columbus
Participants enjoyed an insider tour of the contemporary art collection at the Hilton Columbus Downtown, guided by one of the exhibition curators and a featured artist. The hotel and convention center feature more than 450 works by Ohio artists, reflecting the region’s vibrant creative landscape.
Highlights included a mural by MacArthur “genius” grantee Aminah Robinson, depicting historic Black communities in Columbus, and a multimedia map of central Ohio, complete with LED-lit rivers, local landmarks, and dynamic video projection.
Music from the Columbus Symphony and Whiskey Business offered attendees another window into the region’s creative energy.
Evening Dine-Arounds
More than 250 participants took part in 20 dine-arounds across Columbus, gathering in small groups at local restaurants. Over two evenings, attendees explored a wide range of topics, from education funding and alternative investments to supporting grantees and sharing takeaways from the conference. Some dinners followed a focused theme, while others had no agenda, offering space for casual connection and reflection.
Celebrating 2025 & Looking Ahead to 2026
This year’s conference was a meaningful reminder of what becomes possible when funders learn together, challenge assumptions, and recommit to people-centered philanthropy.
Participants reflected on how meaningful it felt to learn, build relationships, and deepen their practice together:
“What a great environment to connect with colleagues, peers, and friends—to be reinvigorated in the work of elevating humanity through philanthropy.”
“Attending as a first-time participant was inspiring. I feel empowered to bring Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy back to my organization.”
“For a first-time board member, this should be a must every year.”
“This conference gets better every year—outstanding sessions and opportunities to connect.”
We are grateful to every attendee, speaker, facilitator, sponsor, and partner who helped make this gathering so impactful. We look forward to welcoming you next year in Portland, Oregon, November 11–13, 2026, as we celebrate our 30th Anniversary.
See More Photos From the Conference Here »