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Peer & Issue Networks

Connecting, strengthening and mobilizing Minnesota's philanthropic sector through relationships.

Please see the descriptions and staff contacts below and use the sign-up form at the bottom of this page to join a Peer or Issue Network (note: you must be a logged in member to use this sign-up function).

Join a Peer or Issue Network

 

MCF Networks, one of our most popular offerings, provide various ways to gather and learn from your peers across Minnesota. Whether you're looking for a few tips and tools or looking for advice and support, these groups are a perfect way to connect with others to advance your work.

Two Ways to Connect with Peers


MCF offers two ways for you to connect with peers through our Networks.

  • Interactive Network Events – MCF regularly hosts Member Network meetings by common identity or role (Peer Networks) and around common issue or action (Issue Networks). Networks allow us to learn together, collaborate on common issues, and build strength in numbers. View the MCF Events Calendar and register to attend network events.
  • Online Community – MCF offers convenient communications for each Network, through peer email lists. Members may use peer email lists to request assistance, pose questions or share opportunities, answer questions, share files, documents and best practices, and discuss relevant, timely issues about philanthropy. MCF Email List Discussion Policies can be viewed here. 

View our member networks below and reach out to Jill Chi at jchi@mcf.org to join the peer email list for any network that interests you. 

MCF Peer Networks


Administrative Professionals Network: for staff who support internal functions and people at MCF member organizations, including executive assistants, administrative assistants, and those with governance, and operations roles

CEO Network: for the leader of MCF member organizations

ComMotion Network: for communications and marketing staff

Community Foundation Network: for staff or board members taking an active role in operations of community foundations

Corporate Community Affairs Network: for all corporate foundation and community affairs staff; including a second series of meetings solely for senior executives

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Network: for individuals who work wholly or partially toward advancing DEI in their organizations. It serves as an opportunity for individuals to connect with one another, see what work is happening in other organizations, and foster equitable programming and development opportunities.

Family Foundation Network: for staff or board members taking an active role in operations of family foundations

Independent Foundation Network: for staff of independent foundations across Minnesota

  • MCF Lead: Josh Vang | independent@lists.mcf.org

Learning and Evaluation Network: for individuals working on learning and evaluation to support foundation success and effectiveness

  • MCF Lead: Chris Oien | learningevaluation@lists.mcf.org

Midwest Independent Community Foundations (MICF) Network: for senior staff and board leaders at small to mid-size independent community foundations that are geographically focused

People of Color (POC) Network: for individuals who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color working in philanthropy

Program Officers Network: for program officers and grantmakers

  • MCF Lead: Josh Vang | programofficers@lists.mcf.org

 

MCF Issue Networks


Democracy Funders Working Group: for members interested in addressing grantmaking practices, issues, and public policy and systems change related to strengthening democratic systems and civic engagement.

  • MCF Lead: May Yang | democracyfunders@lists.mcf.org

Health Funders Network: for members who are interested in examining Minnesota’s landscape for health funders as well as those considering future funding in health-related focus areas.

  • MCF Lead: Susie Brown | healthfunders@lists.mcf.org

Impact Investing Network:  for members exploring or engaging in impact investing. Read more about MCF’s leadership around impact investing.

Minnesota Disaster Philanthropy Working Group: for members interested in addressing grantmaking practices, issues, and gaps or opportunities in systems and policy related to disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and long-term community resiliency.

Minnesota Food Funders Network: a group of Minnesota-based funders who make informed, coordinated and strategic investments to improve key facets of our food system. This network listserv is active; no network meetings are being scheduled at this time.

 

How to Join a Network

To join a Peer Community or listserv, please use the form below or contact kcullen@mcf.org and indicate your Network/listserv(s) of interest. The sign-up form is restricted to Minnesota Council on Foundation members - please login to unlock it. You can only sign up for one community at a time. If you need to subscribe to several networks, please return to this page and repeat the process by selecting your next community. After hitting the "Subscribe" button, you will receive an email from our listserv service ("Groups List Manager sympa@lists.mcf.org") to confirm your email address. You will only receive listserv messages once you've followed the instructions in this email. You may need to check your spam/junk folder.

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