Celebrating GEO's 25th Anniversary

Since 1998 GEO has been a community that has challenged itself to think critically, focused intently on what matters most to nonprofits’ success, and supported participants to implement smarter grantmaking practices. This year, the GEO community celebrates 25 years of exploring what effective grantmaking practice looks like in service of nonprofits and communities. Over the next few months, we invite GEO members, grantmaking practitioners, and other partners to share stories of how GEO has impacted your perspectives on effectiveness.

Over the past 25 years, contributors to the GEO community have remained steadfast in our commitment to exploring the principles and practices that drive philanthropic effectiveness. In my three years of service within GEO’s leadership, I am honored to partner with a growing community of grantmakers who are having critical conversations and making change needed to foster the most meaningful conditions for our partners to thrive. Our collective interpretations of what “effectiveness” entails is always evolving and it is essential that our shared vision for effectiveness evolve with our practices.

The first 25 years of learning alongside our peers shows us that being effective in our philanthropic endeavors starts with acknowledging the ecosystems in which we live. Increasingly, grantmakers are entering vulnerable dialogues about the persistent impacts of philanthropy’s beginnings and the origins of this abundance of resources. Equipped with historical and contemporary context, and authentic relationships with impacted communities, grantmakers are more prepared than ever to support transformational change.

As I reflect on where GEO has been as well as where we seek to go, I realize that transformation is a common feature of the culture for generations of GEO members and partners. While the conversations continue to shift as new leaders, insights and data emerge, my commitment is to ensure that the courageous pursuits of leaders of change within the philanthropic sector enduringly fuels this expansive community of practice and learning.

Read the full Perspectives blog here.