The conference features cutting-edge sessions designed to help you learn new strategies and share experiences that have an immediate application to today's world.

For a searchable version of the conference program, with full session and speaker information and session resources, click here.

For a printable version of the conference program, click here.

Conference Plenaries

• Standing in Their Shoes: How Widespread Empathy Leads to
  Better Decisions 
  Hear from Dev Patnaik, author of Wired to Care, for innovative ideas on how grantmakers can build empathy for the communities they serve, bring stakeholders into the center of their work and shape more effective collaborations.
• The Possibilities and Perils of Scale
  Join Bill Strickland (Manchester Bidwell Corporation), Angelica Salas (Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights of Los Angeles) and Grant Oliphant (The Pittsburgh Foundation) for a rigorous debate around building the infrastructure and capacity of individual organizations versus concentrating on broader nonprofit collaborations and movement building.
• Leading in Challenging Economic Times
  Join Paul Grogan (The Boston Foundation), Ira Hirschfield (Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund) and Kristin Lindsey (Council on Foundations) for a moderated discussion about the difficult decisions they’ve had to make in the face of this recession and how they’ve reached out to grantees and other stakeholders along the way.
• Philanthropy and the Obama Administration: Digging Deeper on the "Funding What Works" Mantra
  The closing plenary will provide a candid exchange between philanthropy and government about how we define “what works;” the challenges, limitations and barriers to evaluation; and how government and philanthropy can work together to advance learning for expanded impact. With GEO’s Kathleen Enright, Carla Javits (REDF) and Albert Ruesga (Greater New Orleans Foundation).
  

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Conference Schedule At-a-Glance

*Schedule subject to change

Philanthropy's Tool Shed

New in 2010, “Philanthropy’s Tool Shed,” will offer participants the chance to explore a broad range of new tools available for grantmakers, in a direct, hands-on way. Through live demonstrations provided by leaders in the field, experience firsthand how a particular tool works. Tools featured include:

• The Foundation Center: Philanthropy In/Sight (Host: Dave Clark, product manager, Philanthropy In/Sight, The Foundation Center)
• McKinsey & Company: Social Impact Assessment Approaches (Host: Laura Callanan, Social Sector Office, McKinsey & Company)
• Center for Effective Philanthropy: Funder Assessment Tools (Host: Phil Buchanan, president, Center for Effective Philanthropy )
• TCC Group: Core Capacity Assessment Tool (Host: Peter York, senior vice president and director of research, TCC Group)
• True Impact: Online Tools for Measuring Social Investments (Host: Farron W. Levy, president, True Impact LLC)

For a detailed descriptions of the tools + read more

Ambassador Program

GEO conferences create lasting connections that strengthen grantmakers’ work and build community. New to the 2010 National Conference is an Ambassador Program to help facilitate and deepen participants’ networking experience.

• As a first-time participant, do you want to ensure that you capture the content most in line with your work?
• As a longtime member of the GEO community, are you hoping to make new and deeper connections in philanthropy in 2010?

The Ambassador Program will bring together new members and first-time registrants with more seasoned members of the GEO community. If you're new to GEO, make the most of your conference experience by tapping the knowledge of a former conference participant. If you've been to GEO conferences in the past, we challenge you to welcome first-timers and expand your network at the same time. For more information or to register for the Ambassador Program, contact Laurel Jacobsen at jacobsen@geofunders.org or 202.898.5728.

New in 2010

Green Efforts: Learn how GEO is reducing the environmental impact of its national conference.

Philanthropy’s Tool Shed: Offers participants the chance to explore a broad range of new tools available for grantmakers, in a direct, hands-on way. Through live demonstrations provided by leaders in the field, experience firsthand how a particular tool works. The Tool Shed will be held during Connection Space times on the conference program. + more

Ambassador Program: Broaden your network and make the most of your conference experience.

Site Visits: Learn about the mission, strategies,challenges and accomplishments of these organizations and how they operate within Pittsburgh’s innovative philanthropic community.