Webinars

About the Series

The Ethos of Being Trust-Based, developed by Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, Philanthropy CA, and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, is a webinar series dedicated to exploring the fundamental values and dispositions central to a trust-based approach. At the heart of this work is a deep focus on building trust and relationships at every level, both internally and externally. This requires constant self-examination, a cultivation of interpersonal skills, a willingness to reimagine and adjust organizational practices, and an understanding of the greater systemic factors that have given way to the institution of philanthropy as a whole. It requires that we see and name how racial inequities have been perpetuated in our institutions, behaviors, and practices, even as we strive to alleviate them. Trust-based philanthropy invites us to understand and take action on these ideas at the personal, interpersonal, organizational, and systemic levels in order to interrupt the perpetuation of power imbalances in our sector.

Between the global pandemic and this country’s racial reckoning, our interconnectedness, and inequalities, have never been clearer. From this reality, how can we cultivate trust-based dispositions that support mutuality throughout crisis response, and beyond? 

• How can we seize the potential for redistribution of power, especially to benefit communities that have been systematically oppressed? 

• How might we fully embody partnership in a spirit of service? 

• What context is essential for us to understand? 

• What behaviors do we need to un-learn? 

• And can we embrace and sustain self-reflection and generative listening as must-have tools for transformation? 

Join the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, Philanthropy California, and GEO as we explore these questions and examine the aspects of trust-building essential for a strong and healthy ecosystem at all levels: individually, interpersonally, inter-organizationally, and systemically. Each webinar will: 1) feature seasoned perspectives on some of the overarching concepts related to trust-based values and dispositions; 2) include stories and lessons from funders who try to live and breathe relational values; and, 3) offer space for small group reflection on how to cultivate what’s required to embed a trust-based ethos in our philanthropic practice.

Session 4: Confronting and Correcting Historical Power Imbalance

Trust-based philanthropy is anchored in an understanding of power and privilege, historical and systemic racism and structural oppression, and how these shape people’s realities in profoundly different ways. As grantmakers, we have a responsibility to confront the reality that philanthropy originated from and has often contributed to systemic inequities, both in the ways wealth is accumulated and its dissemination is controlled. While these discussions may be challenging and difficult, this type of self-reflection is fundamental to the work of trust-based philanthropy. As individuals and institutions, we must be willing to recognize historical trauma and systemic power, examine our own relationship to power and money, and be willing to give up some of that power and control in a spirit of service and collaboration with those who are closer to the issues at hand. In this session, we will:

• Review some of the salient historical and systemic factors that have contributed to inequity in philanthropy

• Learn how trauma – including and especially systemic oppression, racism, and other isms – affects the soma (body, perception, internalized narratives, patterns & habits of responding)

• Learn techniques for noticing our own typical response patterns, our relationships to power, and how we might work more skillfully with these in order to respond with dignity, care, and the intention to connect

Moderator 

Akilah Massey, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations

Other Sessions

Session 2: Interpersonal Skills — The Hardest Skill Building You'll Ever Do >>> Learn More

Tuesday, January 12 | 10:00am - 11:30am

Session 3: Building Trust Begins at Home — Practices That Advance or Weaken Trust in Your Organization >>> Learn More

Tuesday, February 23 | 10:00am - 11:30am

Session 5: Reimagining Funder Roles in a Trust-Based Context >>> Learn More

Tuesday, April 27 | 10:00am - 11:30am 

Presented in partnership with:

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Fee
No cost to participate

Who May Attend
Current SCG, NCG, and Catalyst members and eligible non-members

Registration
SCG members: Register online.
NCG & Catalyst members: Register online.
Non-members: Register online.
If you have additional questions regarding these sessions, please contact us at [email protected]

Accommodations for People with Disabilities
If you have a disability and require accommodation in order to fully participate in this activity, please contact our programs team at [email protected] or (213) 680-8866. You will be contacted by someone from our staff to discuss your specific needs.

Join Michelson 20MM on February 25th for the next Connecting California event: Build Back Better: Digital Equity in the Biden-Harris Administration. Following President Biden’s pledge to make digital equity a cornerstone of his administration, our panel will share their insights on the government’s approach to technology policy, and how the Biden-Harris administration can lead on one of the most potentially transformative economic development investments of the century.

In August 2020, the Michelson 20MM Foundation launched its Connecting California learning series, which convenes the public, private and philanthropic sectors. Connecting California seeks to strengthen collective understanding of the history and root causes of the “digital divides”–the economic and educational gaps created by inequitable access to high-speed internet, computing devices, and digital literacy resources. Featuring business leaders, digital equity practitioners, philanthropic investors and policymakers, Connecting California provides a forum that speaks to different facets of the complex landscape for building digital equity solutions at national, state and local levels.

Speakers

Kathryn De Wit Manager, The Pew Charitable Trusts Kathryn de WitKathryn de Wit joined Pew in 2018 and leads Pew’s Broadband Research Initiative. Before joining Pew, de Wit was an associate with Booz Allen Hamilton, where she focused on telecommunications, cybersecurity, and economic development issues. Before her work at Booz Allen Hamilton, she was a Senior Fellow with the Heinz Endowments. At the Endowments, de Wit led philanthropy efforts focused on youth engagement, place-based grantmaking, and regional economic development. De Wit holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Sociology from Penn State University and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

Adrianne B. Furniss  Executive Director, Board Member, and Trustee, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Adrianne Furniss headshotAdrianne B. Furniss is Executive Director, Board Member, and Trustee of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, a private operating foundation with offices in Evanston, Illinois. Since 1981, the Benton Institute has been committed to access, equity, and diversity to fulfill its mission: that everyone in the United States should have equal access to open, affordable, High-Performance Broadband as a means to deliver individual opportunity, strengthen communities, and ensure a thriving democracy. Currently, Adrianne serves on the Board of Advisors for the Coalition for Local Internet Choice (CLIC) and as Secretary and Executive Committee member of the Board of Directors for PCs for People.

Gigi Sohn Distinguished Fellow, Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law & Policy Senior Fellow and Public Advocate, Benton Institute Gigi Sohn is a Distinguished Fellow at the Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law & Policy and a Benton Senior Fellow and Public Advocate. For over thirty years, Gigi has worked to defend and preserve the fundamental competition and innovation policies that have made broadband Internet access more ubiquitous, competitive, affordable, open and protective of user privacy. Previously, Sohn was Counselor to Former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler; Co-Founder and CEO of Public Knowledge; Project Specialist in the Ford Foundation’s Media, Arts and Culture unit; Executive Director of the Media Access Project, a communications public interest law firm; and a member of President Clinton’s Advisory Committee on the Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters. Ms. Sohn holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Broadcasting and Film from the Boston University College of Communication and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Tony Thurmond California State Superintendent of Public Instruction State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is responsible for the largest public school system in the nation, with more than 6.3 million students and over 10,000 schools. Since taking office earlier this year, State Superintendent Thurmond has made improving equity, access, and opportunity for California’s public school students his top priority. He has created initiatives that are focused on closing the achievement gap for our state’s most vulnerable students and is dedicated to supporting educators in delivering an equitable education to all students. During his 4-year tenure in the Assembly, Thurmond authored legislation that successfully expanded the free lunch program, bilingual education, and the Chafee Grant college scholarship program for foster youth. Additionally, Thurmond’s legislation guaranteed preferential voting rights for student school board members improved access to families for early education and childcare and shifted millions of dollars directly from prisons to schools. State Superintendent Thurmond is a social worker, educator, advocate, and public school parent who continues to work tirelessly on behalf of all students to ensure they reach their full academic potential.

Presented By

Fee
No cost to participate

Who May Attend
Current SCG members

Registration
SCG members: Register online (you must log in to your SCG account to register).
If you have additional questions regarding these sessions, please contact us at [email protected]

Accommodations for People with Disabilities
If you have a disability and require accommodation in order to fully participate in this activity, please contact our programs team at [email protected] or (213) 680-8866. You will be contacted by someone from our staff to discuss your specific needs.