This year, we will build on our previous learning questions to explore the value of collaboration to address issues in our region. We will begin the year with Sheryl WuDunn in our first quarter. Then, in our second quarter, our Discovery Forum will feature representatives from organizations that have created positive impact on our region through collaboration. We will move on to learning that comes as a result of our grant making process and some small-group collective learning in our third quarter.

This year, we will take what we learned through our previous learning questions to explore the impact systems change and advocacy can play in advancing racial equity. We will begin the year with Coty Raven Morris presenting Being Human Together in our first quarter. Then, in our second quarter, our Discovery Forum will feature nonprofit representatives from each of our five focus areas, who will share their experiences with systems change and advocacy. We will move on to some small-group collective learning in our third quarter with topics to be announced after member feedback is received through our annual survey.

In 2020 ninety-nine girlfriends and other collective giving circles participated in a program to explore how our organizations can embed racial equity in our activities, as an extension of our active commitment to diversity within our network. The program invited us to examine ways that our giving circles shape (1) values and shared beliefs, (2) leadership and governance, (3) internal and external language and visuals, (4) membership, (5) meeting style and structure, and (6) partnership processes with grantees and to make changes to become more inclusive.

Although philanthropic dollars are a drop in the bucket compared to government and public funding for our social fabric, philanthropists play a strong role in influencing government to do the right thing. As a collective giving circle we are a philanthropy - how can we leverage our funds, our connections, our collective action to support and advance the change we want in our region? What have other philanthropic leaders and local foundations done?

We shared tips and tools to become active and effective on nonprofit boards, or public boards or commissions. We piloted workshops to invite members to build leadership skills for use within ninety-nine girlfriends and/or the larger community.

We introduced members to the basics, trends and hot topics in current US philanthropy and foundations. Environmental grant makers shared social justice perspectives in local grant making. At our discovery forum, participants experienced the challenge of selecting grantees through small group discussions.

We formed five study groups of members to learn more about local challenges and bright spots related to our five focus areas. These groups presented findings at our Discovery Forum. In addition, Chris Grumm led the group in an exploration of ways women give; using the Wiser Giving tools and presenting ideas related to how women use power and influence. Learn what we learned when we explored local realities re arts, education, environment, family/human services, health and wellness.

We learned about the different ways nonprofits and other community-based initiatives tackle the gaps in our society through direct services, investing in people, and effecting systems change. Chris Grumm helped us explore how we individually and collectively prioritize areas to invest in.