Visioning Forward: Investing in MCF’s People of Color Network and Joint Affinity Social Group

A Collaborative Planning Session for 2025 and Beyond

Your Voice & Leadership is Needed

This is a moment that calls for our collective strength. While external pressures test our communities’ resilience, our professional networks in philanthropy offer crucial spaces for connection, solidarity, and growth. Now is the time to deepen these bonds and amplify our impact in our philanthropic roles and in support of each other.

About the Gathering

Hello! Together with my colleagues:

• Karyn Sciortino Johnson from McKnight Foundation
• Aileen Sánchez from Hispanics in Philanthropy
• Joshua Vang from Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy

We’re collaborating to strengthen our professional networks in philanthropy. As MCF’s new DEI Director, I’m excited to work alongside these partners to bring together colleagues who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and/or LGBTQ+ working in philanthropy. Our goal is to collectively envision how our networks can best support and sustain each other in 2025 and beyond. 

Building on the energy and connections from the December 2023 and September 2024 Joint Affinity Group Socials, this gathering is an opportunity to shape what comes next.

Our Hosts & Sponsors

We are grateful to be gathering at Headwaters Foundation for Justice, an organization with deep roots in community organizing and social justice in Minneapolis. Their space provides a meaningful setting for our visioning work. Thank you also to McKnight Foundation for sponsoring our lunch gathering. Your support makes this intentional community of support possible.

Key questions we’ll explore together:

• What kinds of support and connection will best serve our communities in 2025?
• How can our networks better amplify our collective voice in philanthropy?
• What programs and gatherings would most meaningfully support your professional journey?
• How can we strengthen the bonds between our various affinity groups?

Session Overview

In this 90-minute lunch gathering, you’ll help shape the future of our networks by:

• Building shared vision for our communities’ aspirations and needs 
• Contributing insights from your experience in philanthropy
• Helping design programming that responds to today’s challenges
• Creating stronger connections across our networks

What to Expect

• Interactive small group discussions
• Collaborative visioning exercises
• Opportunity to shape future network activities
• Time for meaningful peer connections
• Complimentary lunch

Who Should Join

This gathering is specifically for: 

• Members of the Joint Affinity Group 
• Members of MCF’s People of Color Network (individuals who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color working in Philanthropy)
• People in philanthropy who self-identify as a Black, Indigenous, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Latine, and/or bi-racial; and/or Two-Spirit, Lesbian,
• Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, +.

You don’t need to be a member of MCF, any local, or national affinity group to attend. Please register by December 4, 2024, to help us prepare materials and name tags for all participants.

Questions?

Please contact Awale (Wally) Osman, DEI Director, at aosman@mcf.org with any questions about the gathering or registration process.

This gathering continues our commitment to creating intentional, supportive spaces for people of color and LGBTQ+ professionals in philanthropy. Join us in shaping what comes next.