Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia

Educational programs-last year saw Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia continue its mission, to strengthen Philanthropy in order to create a more resilient, vibrant and equitable region, as the organization and surrounding community began to emerge from the covid pandemic. While still relying mainly on virtual programming, pn engaged its membership in almost 40 online sessions. With topics ranging from "celebrating black abundance, and "implementation of a participatory grantmaking process," to "centering equity in financial due diligence, " we received over 300 unique organizational registrations for these events.

Made to measure- after receiving a 2-year grant from the bill & melinda gates foundation, Philanthropy Network successfully developed a pilot platform designed to test and explore the question of whether and how digital tools might engage and influence high-capacity giving, including both the quantity and the quality of that giving. Staff worked with platform development partner capshift, and the online tool was launched in september 2022. By the end of year, it was being tested by a group of 10 pn member organizations. These early adopters supplied over 200 grantee opportunities for the platform, while also participating in guided user experience modules and providing feedback on both the functionality and underlying concept of the platform via surveys and one-on-one interviews. A full launch to the entire Philanthropy Network membership is planned for 2023.

Communication and member services-we continue to find new ways to stay engaged with our members and in 2022 we launched our second annual full membership outreach, which we call the pulse survey, to learn more about how regional funders are continuing to adapt and evolve their grantmaking practices and priorities as a result of the covid-19 pandemic, the economic downturn and the ongoing impact of systemic racism. New in the 2022 survey were questions relating to members' internal operations, including policies, benefits and compensation. Through this comprehensive questionnaire we were able to better understand our members priorities and emerging trends in the funder community. We incorporated these learnings into our programing and overall engagement strategy. Staff also developed a more continuous connection with our membership via the "feedback loop," a biweekly one to two question survey focused on the most currently relevant issue for our community. From may 2022 when this initiative launched, through the end of the year, staff was able to react to our member's most pressing concerns with just-in-time data around such issues as: the impact of inflation on funders, staff turnover and burn-out, funder engagement in advocacy work and policies around the return to in-person work.

Philanthropy Network staff and leadership worked to raise the organization's profile and enhance awareness about the philanthropic sector through speaking engagements and other outreach and interaction with regional nonprofit and community organizations and civic leaders and by representing Philanthropy in the media. There were also opportunities for staff to share their knowledge and experience with partner groups, with staff members invited to speak at both the annual candid convene (that organization's yearly all-staff gathering) and the leading Philanthropy conference.