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Just Giving - Conference Program
About the Conference-Conference Program-Registration Information
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SUNDAY, JUNE 8TH
Meso-America Grantmakers Group: Working Meeting
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
The Meso-America Grantmakers Group (MAGG), a Gw/oB affinity group, brings together over 25 grantmakers working in Central America and Southern Mexico. MAGG members will convene for a day of dialogue and strategizing on grantmaking in the region. First-time participants in a MAGG gathering are welcome to attend this once-a-year convening. There is a separate registration of $30 to attend the MAGG Working Meeting.
Conference Orientation and Speed Networking
5:00 to 7:00 pm
Conference organizers will provide a brief run-through of the conference agenda to help participants navigate the program. Then, we'll have some fun with the first of several facilitated networking sessions: Speed Networking, like "speed dating" but for making professional connections. Make fast first contact with conference participants to discover the colleagues you'd most like to speak with later on during the conference.
Welcome Reception
7:00 to 10:00 pm
Relax after your arrival, catch up with old colleagues and meet new ones at a festive conference Welcome Reception. With refreshments and good cheer.
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MONDAY, JUNE 9TH
Healthy Conference Center Session
7:00 to 8:00 am
Conference participants wishing to start the day off with a boost to the mind and body can pay a visit to the Healthy Conference Center, featuring ongoing sessions of guided meditation, acupuncture, and qigong. Offered by Acupuncturists Without Borders
Networking Breakfast: "My Journey"
8:00 to 9:00 am
In this facilitated networking session, conference participants will meet over breakfast to share stories of their journeys in philanthropy and in global social change.
Opening General Session:
Climate Change, Natural Resource Depletion and Peak Oil: Issues and Impact
9:00 to 10:30 am
Global warming. Deforestation, species extinction and water depletion. The inevitable drying up of the planet's limited oil supply. These and other issues have converged rapidly in our time, creating what many are calling a "Triple Crisis". What exactly are the dimensions of the crisis, and what is at stake? The conference will open with an essential assessment of the environmental emergency our planet now faces. To assist in understanding the urgency of the crisis, we'll hear from representatives of Pacific and Arctic communities whose very existence is at immediate risk. With Richard Heinberg, Post Carbon Insitute; Alifereti Tawake, University of the South Pacific (Fiji), Faith Gimmell, REDOIL (Resisting Environmental Destruction on Indigenous Lands); additional speakers to be announced
Breakout Workshops
10:45 am to 12:30 pm
Making Monitoring and Evaluation Accessible for Community-Based Organizations
This interactive session will explore strategies to find common ground with small, community-based organizations on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and to transform monitoring and evaluation from an unpleasant, confounding burden to a tool for empowerment. Working in small groups, participants will experience for themselves some practical M&E training exercises that are intended to break down the barriers to understanding M&E concepts and practicalities. Facilitated by Jennifer Lentfer, Firelight Foundation
Changing the Climate: The Critical Role of Women
While the sense of urgency around the human impacts of climate change is now heightened, gender equality has largely been absent from the discourse. Yet women are extremely vulnerable to swift environmental changes, and they are also the best positioned to help curb the impacts of climate change, given their responsibilities for family and community well-being and management of resources. Come hear from women activists about innovative strategies for curbing climate change and its impacts. With June Zeitlin, Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO); Lorena Aguilar, World Conservation Union (Costa Rica); Shalini Nataraj, Global Fund for Women; and Lynnsey Francis, Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (Thailand)
An Introduction to Social Change Philanthropy
Grantmakers Without Borders and other organizations advocate for "social change philanthropy". What exactly is meant by this phrase? Is it about what you fund, how you fund it, or both? This workshop will feature a discussion with several pioneers in the effort to move international grantmakers from pure charity to funding that promotes justice, equity and human rights among the world's most marginalized communities. With Terry Odendahl, New Mexico Grantmakers Association; Chet Tchozewski, Global Greengrants Fund; Doug McAdam, Stanford University; Laura Martinez Ríos del Río, PRO Esteros (Mexico); additional panelists to be announced
Indigenous Approaches to Combating Climate Change
Indigenous communities around the world, particularly those of island nations and the Arctic, have been among the first populations to be directly affected by climate change. How can the global philanthropic community best assist these communities, and how can we amplify their voices to affect change in policy and consumer behavior in the developed world? With Leah Zimmerman, Pacific Environment, Alexander Arbachakov, Taiga Research and Protection Association (Russia); Rosemary Ahtuanguruk, REDOIL (Resisting Environmental Destruction On Indigenous Lands); and Alifereti Tawake, University of the South Pacific (Fiji)
Water Rights and Management: Community-Based Responses
With climate change's ever increasing impact on the availability and quality of water, local communities who depend directly on natural resources are liable to feel a squeeze, with historical inequities and state deficiencies in service delivery and disaster preparedness becoming more and more magnified each day. In this session, funders will learn from the experience of community associations addressing water issues and promoting community-driven sustainable development. With Carolina Zelaya, Pico Bonito National Park (Honduras); Aristides Valencia, Asociacion Mangle (El Salvador); Patricia Jones, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee; and Virginia Setshedi, Coalition Against Water Privatization (South Africa)
Network Lunch: Participant Roundtables
12:30 to 1:45 pm
Conference participants are invited to convene colleagues for networking discussions on grantmaking issues of shared interest.
Breakout Workshops
2:00 to 3:45 pm
Funding Rural Groups in the Global South: Challenges and Opportunities
Two-thirds of world's poorest people live in rural areas, the majority of whom are women. This session will look at the particular challenges and opportunities facing US grantmakers wanting to fund rural populations in Africa and elsewhere, and how such funding can contribute to the promotion of cultural identity, environmental sustainability, bio-diversity and food sovereignty. With Sarah Hobson, New Field Foundation; Joe Morrison, Northern Australia Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (Australia); Tabara Ndiaye, New Field Foundation (Senegal); and Walt Coward, The Christensen Fund
Grassroots Action to Save the Amazon
Indigenous rights continue to be compromised by the insatiable global appetite for the natural resources of the Amazonian rainforest. Immediate threats include hydrocarbon extraction, illegal logging, bio-fuels expansion, and hundreds of unsustainable mega development projects. This workshop will explore how Indigenous organizations, along with close allies, are implementing increasingly sophisticated advocacy strategies to confront these issues at local, national, and international levels. With Maria Lya Ramos and Andrew Miller, Amazon Watch; Robert Guimaraes Vasquez, AIDESEP (Peru); and Dario Jose Mejia Montalvo, National Indigenous Organization of Colombia (Colombia)
Bolder Giving in Extraordinary Times: Grantmaking to Our Fullest Potential
The world is facing a host of critical issues. Given these extraordinary times, what will enable givers to step forward and give at their full potential? If you're a donor who wonders "how much can I give?" and wishes to give more, or if you're an advisor or foundation staff member wondering how to help others give more boldly, this session is for you. You will hear inspiring stories from several donors who have given 50% or more of their income, assets, or business profits, get a chance to dialogue with them, and then explore in small groups how to effectively promote bolder giving in these extraordinary times. Facilitated by Anne Ellinger, Zing Foundation
Population, Justice, and the Environmental Challenge
Climate change has rocketed to the top of the public agenda, prompting a resurgence of interest in the relationships among population growth, climate change and other environmental issues. But, too often, the conversation about population issues is framed in a way that threatens human rights, focusing on "population control" and severe restrictions on immigration. Is it possible to confront our growing numbers and environmental impact while advancing human rights and well-being? The panelists for this session will grapple with that question, by examining the global context of trade and development policies and exploring the impact of those policies on human and environmental health in the developing world. They will also propose a social justice framework for understanding and addressing the connection between population dynamics and environmental quality. With Jacqueline Nolley Echegaray, Moriah Fund; Denise Shannon, Funders Network on Population, Reproductive Health and Rights; Joan Castro, PATH Foundation (Philippines); and Laurie Mazur, author
Other Worlds Are Possible: Alternatives for a More Just and Sustainable World
Most of us have heard that "another world is possible." Can a world based on community, democracy, sustainability, and justice really exist within a global economy based on consumption and profit? Does it already exist? What do alternative political, economic, and social models look like? What role can we, as funders and concerned citizens of the planet, play in their creation? Come learn about the range of alternatives which are blossoming everywhere and about the role that funders can play to support them. With Beverly Bell, Other Worlds; Mamadou Goita, Institute for the Research and Promotion of Alternatives in Development (Mali); and Silvia Ribeiro, ETC Group (Mexico)
General Session:
From Bali to the Base: Supporting Global, National and Local Action
4:15 to 5:45 pm
The recent international gathering in Bali sought to advance a global compact for addressing climate change, while the issue has emerged in the political discourse at national, state and local levels in the US and elsewhere. This plenary will begin with an update on the status of global climate change negotiations and the prospects for meaningful change given the upcoming US presidential and congressional elections. The session will then turn to a debate of some of the more controversial strategies being promoted to address the crisis, such as payment for environmental services, biofuels, and "clean coal". With Peter Riggs, Forum on Democracy & Trade; Annie Leonard, host of "The Story of Stuff", Daphne Wysham, Institute for Policy Studies; and Tom Athanasiou, EcoEquity
Evening Events
Beginning at 5:45 pm
Dine Arounds
Continue your learning and networking while enjoying an evening on the town! Like breakout workshops, each Dine-Around will focus on global issues and grantmaking strategies. We'll start at the conference venue with hour-long presentations and discussions, and then we'll head out into San Francisco for a great meal and a continuation of our conversations in an intimate and private restaurant setting.
What's the Point of Revolution if We Can't Dance? A Dialogue on Sustaining Activism
This Dine Around will present the groundbreaking findings of Urgent Action Fund's latest research on the safety and sustainability of women human rights defenders and stage a dynamic dialogue about activists' strategies for keeping safe, healthy, sane and effective. During the Dine Around, participants will discuss practical sustainability strategies at the individual, organizational and movement levels and explore specific recommendations, grounded in UAF's research, for deepening and strengthening movements in sustainable ways.
An Evening with Annie Leonard, Host of "The Story of Stuff"
Annie Leonard's remarkable film "The Story of Stuff", shown at www.storyofstuff.com, has now been viewed by close to two million people from around the world, many of whom have written to Annie to say how much the film has resonated with them and how they're ready to make a change in the way they consume. Annie will describe some of the entry points for funders interested in addressing the issues described in "The Story of Stuff". She'll talk about opportunities to strengthen the movement for change on three levels: the content of the work, the process of movement building, and the underlying assumptions on which our current flawed paradigm is based. You'll leave this session having tackled some challenging issues in movement building for change and with practical ideas about how to best leverage your grantmaking dollars.
Undermining Our Common Humanity: The New Vision of Genetic Control and Manipulation
It sounds like a bad sci-fi movie but it's true: scientists and multi-national corporations are developing powerful new technologies of genetic control and manipulation, and they want to use these to create genetically modified children: with good looks, athletic abilities, desirable emotional traits and the right political preferences chosen quite literally from a catalogue. Others want to use genetic technology to build bio-weapons of unprecedented mass destruction. Still others are engaged in bio-piracy on a global scale, appropriating the genomes of indigenous communities for commercial gain. And right now there are no laws, regulations or international treaties in place to stop any of this. Those of us committed to a future of social justice, human rights, world peace and economic and political equality need to understand what is happening and how we can draw the line on practices that would result in a Gattaca-like world of genetically engineered human clones and a biotech arms race. At this Dine-Around, leaders in the growing movement for socially responsible technology will give an overview of the new technologies, including nanotechnology and "synthetic biology," identify their leading promoters, and describe the global network of civil society organizations now rising in opposition.
Additional evening events will be posted soon.
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TUESDAY, JUNE 10TH
Healthy Conference Center
7:30 to 9:00 am
Conference participants in need of a brain break, a stretch or a bit of centering can pay a visit to the Healthy Conference Center, featuring ongoing sessions of guided meditation, acupuncture, and qigong. Offered by Acupuncturists Without Borders
Networking Breakfast: "My Conference So Far"
9:00 to 10:00 am
In this facilitated networking session, conference participants will meet over breakfast to share challenges and insights from their conference experience so far.
Breakout Workshops
10:15 am to 12:00 pm
Grantmaking Within the Legal Constraints of U.S. Foreign Policy
In a growing number of global hotspots, grantmakers must find ways to advance their missions while responsibly adhering to the legal and political constraints of US foreign policy and national security. This session will discuss challenges and strategies for grantmaking in some of the most challenging hotspots. Using as case examples Burma, Iraq and Palestine, panelists will share their first-hand experiences, including what to expect when applying for a Treasury license, suggestions for adhering to the voluntary Treasury Guidelines when operating within an area controlled by a designated terrorist organization, and the logistical obstacles when grantmaking in a US war zone. With Ali O. Amar, formerly with United States Institute for Peace; Nikhil Aziz, Grassroots International; and Vanessa Dick, Grantmakers Without Borders
Navigating the Landscape of Resources for International Grantmakers
There is a growing body of organizations dedicated to supporting grantmakers, generating a wide scope of resources aimed at assisting both individual and institutional donors, beginners and experienced practitioners alike. While thoughtful and strategic resources are certainly available, sifting through the vast array of materials, networking venues and donor education opportunities can be time-consuming and daunting. This session will scrutinize the many tools available to donors to uncover the best and most helpful. With Susan Beaudry and John Harvey, Grantmakers Without Borders
Strengthening China's Grassroots Movement to Address Climate Change
Most efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in China have focused on top-down, governmental initiatives. Yet to be successful, these and other initiatives will have to be implemented at a grassroots, community-based level. This session will allow participants to learn about on-the-ground environmental efforts in China while exploring obstacles and opportunities for grantmaking to China. With David Gordon and Daniela Salaverry, Pacific Environment; Fu Tao (China); and Ge Yun, Xinjiang Conservation Fund (China)
The Commons: Saving the Gifts of Nature
A powerful antidote to global warming and natural resource depletion is the responsible stewardship of the commons, those things that we inherit and that will (hopefully) last for generations to come: gifts of nature such as air, water, the oceans, wildlife and wilderness. The tragedy of the commons is not that society is incapable of equitably sharing nature's bounty; it's that we have forgotten how to recognize the commons and act like the rightful owners of our own riches. In this session, funders and activists will discuss advocacy for the commons – with a special focus on the sky, seeds and water – and how to manage them for the benefit of everyone, especially society's most vulnerable people. Discussion will inter-weave funding, activism, communications and movement building strategies. With Harriet Barlow, HKH Foundation; Silvia Ribeiro, ETC Group (Mexico); and Anil Naidoo, Blue Planet Project (Canada)
Democratic Grantmaking: Doing Good or Draining Resources?
When foundations employ democratic principles in their grantmaking, are we advancing best practices or just burning scarce time and money? This session will explore grantmaking practices that strike the right balance between participation by those most directly affected and running a lean back-office. With Hibaaq Osman, Arab Women's Fund (Egypt); Azza Kamel, Appropriate Communication Techniques for Development (Egypt); and Ana Criquillion and Carla López, Central American Women's Fund (Nicaragua)
Lunch and Grantmakers Without Borders Annual Meeting
12:00 to 1:30 pm
Grantmakers Without Borders will share updates and highlights of an exciting and dynamic period in the organization's history.
Breakout Workshops
1:45 to 3:30 pm
Encouraging Local Relief Capacity in Areas of Humanitarian Crisis
Where disaster strikes, armies of well-funded international NGOs descend, including many with no prior experience in the affected region. At the same time, many extremely capable local, on-the-ground organizations get overlooked by grantmakers wishing to respond. This workshop will explore how funders can support the capacities of local, community-based organizations to respond to and recover from natural disasters and humanitarian crises. With Wendy Flick, Pond Foundation; Pete Stanga and Yael Falikov, IDEX; and Atema Eclai, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
Supporting Movement Building at the Intersection of Health and Environment
The health of communities is inextricably linked to the health of their environment, and yet health and environment are often addressed in separate silos of grantmaking. This workshop will explore how the intersection of environment and health provides exciting grantmaking opportunities to build movements, support healthy communities and ecosystems, and connect people at the grassroots, national and international levels. With Emily West, West Foundation; Marni Rosen, Jenifer Altman Foundation; Jayakumar C., Thanal (India); and Shenyu Belsky, Rockefeller Brothers Fund
Cross-Border Grantmaking Basics: Expenditure Responsibility and Equivalency Determination
Thinking about making grants directly to overseas groups? Private foundations wishing to make cross-border grants have several options for ensuring that their funding goes to charitable purposes: expenditure responsibility and equivalency determination. This practical session will offer hands-on training in these essentials of cross-border grantmaking. Representatives from the legal and foundation field will be on hand to walk participants through these processes. With Stephanie Petit, Adler and Colvin; Vanessa Dick, Grantmakers Without Borders; Cristina Yoon, Skoll Foundation; and Jennifer Anderson-Bahr, Firelight Foundation
Small-Scale Sustainable Farmers Can Cool Down the Earth
Intercontinental food transport, intensive monoculture production, the destruction of natural habitat to make room for cattle, and the use of chemical inputs have transformed agriculture into a significant greenhouse gas emitter. This session will explore how small-scale farmers are building food sovereignty and cooling down the planet. Panel members will discuss several strategies, including a global campaign to challenge the environmental destructiveness of transnational agribusiness and a seed-saving campaign. With Altacir Bunde, Movement of Small Farmers (Brazil); Nikhil Aziz, Grassroots International; and Andrea Marisa Samulon, Rainforest Action Network
Going Green at the Office
Grantmaking isn't the only way to support the environment! Whether or not you fund environmental causes, you have many opportunities to alleviate climate change, prevent pollution and protect ecosystems. By adopting sustainable practices at your organization, you will be supporting healthy and just outcomes for both the natural environment and humanity. This interactive session will provide practical information and resources to help guide foundations who are interested in improving the sustainability of their operations and events. Topics to be covered include: steps towards becoming carbon neutral; energy conservation; 'green' materials and supplies; sustainable food and beverages; waste reduction and low-carbon travel. Join colleagues from the Environmental Grantmakers Association and the Center for Resource Solutions to learn best practices for going green at the office. With China Brotsky, Tides Foundation; Jennifer Sokolove, Compton Foundation; Lars Kvale, Center for Resource Solutions; and Alex Szabo, The Green Office
Closing General Session:
Strategies for Systemic Change: Global Justice and a Path Forward
4:00 to 5:30 pm
An unprecedented crisis is upon us, and its dimensions are daunting. However, many believe we are poised to make extraordinary changes in the ways we relate to the environment and to each other. The conference will conclude by framing a strategy for systemic change, one that embraces a vision of justice, equity and human rights. The plenary will offer specific strategies global grantmakers can utilize to propel this most critical agenda forward. With Van Jones, Green for All; Walt Coward, The Christensen Fund; Elizabeth Chadri, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; and Mia McDonald, Brighter Green
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