Perspectives

  • Perspective

    To Move Forward, Look Back

    The longstanding saying tells us to stop and smell the roses. But I believe we also need to take the time to stop and glimpse behind us, because very often looking back helps us move forward. In more technical terms, we call this reflective learning, which helps us reflect on our work and take action on what to improve.
    • June 14, 2018
  • Perspective

    Cross-post: Advancing Equity by Undoing Nonprofit Power Dynamics

    If we want our sector to be more effective in addressing the problems we're trying to solve, then power dynamics -- between foundation staff and trustees, between nonprofit staff and program officers -- have to be better. Join us on June 21 to break down power imbalance and strengthen relationships in our sector.
    • June 7, 2018
  • Perspective

    Reflections from the 2018 National Conference

    We were so excited to welcome so many thought leaders to GEO’s 2018 National Conference — and that many took the time to share their takeaways after the conference. We’ve collected those posts here.
    • June 1, 2018
  • Perspective

    Systems Change and Equity Go Hand-in-Hand

    Complex, systemic challenges require sophisticated, long-term strategies to address them. The same is true for ending structural racism, and philanthropy is starting to get much more real about its obligation to address inequity and racism.
    • May 31, 2018
  • Perspective

    Leaning Into Discomfort: A Reflection on GEO's 2018 National Conference

    In this post-2018 National Conference reflection, Ellen Solowey, program officer at Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, discusses acknowledging discomfort and considers how Piper Trust will continue to build on its collaboration and capacity building efforts to achieve transformational change.
    • May 17, 2018
  • Perspective

    Is This 21st Century Philanthropy's Defining Moment?

    This year, GEO welcomed back Nell Edgington, president of Social Velocity, to blog about the 2018 GEO National Conference. We cross-posted Nell’s daily conference recap blogs, so if you weren't able to join us in person at the conference, you can still read about the highlights from each day. In this final post, Nell reflects on what she observed at the conference.
    • May 8, 2018
  • Perspective

    Social Velocity's 2018 National Conference Recap: Day 3

    Welcome to the recap of Day 3 of GEO's 2018 National Conference! if you missed something during the day or you aren't able to join us in person in San Francisco, check out today's recap by Pia Infante, co-executive director of The Whitman Institute.
    • May 3, 2018
  • Perspective

    Social Velocity's 2018 National Conference Recap: Day 2

    Welcome to the recap of Day 2 of GEO's 2018 National Conference! If you missed something during the day or you aren't able to join us in person in San Francisco, check out today's recap by Sean Thomas-Breitfeld, co-director of the Building Movement Project.
    • May 2, 2018
  • Perspective

    Social Velocity's 2018 National Conference Recap: Day 1

    Welcome to the recap of Day 1 of GEO's 2018 National Conference! It was a thought-provoking day as our community gathered to open the conference. If you missed something during the day or you aren't able to join us in person in San Francisco, check out today's recap by Kathy Reich, director, building institutions and networks at the Ford Foundation.
    • May 1, 2018
  • Perspective

    Reflecting on 20 Years of Progress at GEO's 2018 National Conference

    At the beginning of the year, we kicked off our first post in our 20th Anniversary series by highlighting some of the areas where we have made meaningful progress together and where we hope to continue deepening the power of our community. As we approach GEO’s 2018 National Conference, there are many opportunities for continued reflection.
    • April 27, 2018