What does it really look like to practice philanthropy in ways that are shaped by community voice, grounded in partnership, and accountable to shifting power?
This interactive workshop is designed for grantmakers who are already engaging community-driven approaches—or wanting to make intentional shifts in that direction—and want to deepen the alignment between their values, strategies, and day-to-day practices.
Through reflection, peer exchange, and practical tools, participants will explore grantmaking approaches that build trust, strengthen relationships, and move beyond transactional models of funding. The workshop will help participants assess where their current practices are aligned with community-driven philanthropy, where tensions or gaps remain, and what it will take to move closer to participation, partnership, and shared power in practice. It will also create space for peer learning and practice exchange, where participants will hear examples and stories from one another, deepen their understanding of how community-driven philanthropy can be embedded in practice, and build on each other’s ideas in real time.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explore grantmaking practices that build trust, shift power, and strengthen relationships with grantees and communities
- Gain tools to assess and strengthen alignment between current grant practices and community-driven philanthropic practices
- Develop actionable next steps to align current grantmaking practices and strategy to participation, partnership, and shifting power
- Exchange examples, stories, and approaches with peers to deepen understanding of how community-driven philanthropy can be embedded in practice and identify adaptable ideas for their own contexts.
Rates:
- GEO Members: $400
- Nonmembers: $800
Refund Policy:
All workshop registrations are non-refundable. No requests for refunds will be granted for no shows. Participants may choose to transfer their registration to a colleague or peer with the same membership level. Transfers must be requested to Joyce Kim McDonough at mcdonough@geofunders.org by September 8, 2026. No refunds will be issued for transferred registrations.
Travel Information:
By air: DCA is closest to downtown (it’s about 5 miles to the GEO office, which can translate from about 20 minutes up to 45 minutes or more in city traffic). You can also travel from the airport via Metro by taking the blue line train to the MacPherson Square station, which is two blocks from GEO (plan for this to take about 45 minutes). Plan significantly longer travel times to/from Dulles airport.
By train: Amtrak will arrive at Union Station, which is about 2 miles from GEO—usually a 15-30 minute cab ride (or, you can take Metro by taking the red line train to Metro Center, if you’re comfortable walking 0.5 mile to GEO).
By car: If you will be driving, GEO’s building has a parking garage (cost is $12 if in by 10am, $16 after). Please note the garage closes at 7pm.
Lodging: You are responsible for your own lodging. Options close to the GEO office include:
Many more—the GEO office is in downtown DC, so you should be able to find a nearby option with your preferred brand.
GEO can bring a tailored version of this workshop to you! Please reach out to Jaser Alsharhan at jaser@geofunders.org, Director of Programs, to learn more about our Breakthrough Partnership.