Maryland Philanthropy Network’s Annual Member Gathering
Maryland Philanthropy Network envisions a courageous philanthropic community leading transformative and innovative work that results in an equitable and just Maryland. In the last year, we have organized various programs that delved into innovative funding practices, collaborative initiatives, and strategies for driving systemic change in the State of Maryland.
As our network continues to explore how our individual and collective support can yield the greatest impact, Maryland Philanthropy Network proudly invites members to its 2024 Annual Gathering, "Inspiring Bold Philanthropy for Maryland’s Youth and Families."
MPN is excited to gather members for celebration, networking, and a keynote address by the Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, President and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), aimed at sparking bold and transformative change in the communities our members serve. Since joining CDF in 2020, Dr. Wilson has strengthened the organization’s strategy while reactivating the CDF Action Council as a sister organization for grassroots legislative education, lobbying, and public accountability. We invite you to read more about Dr. Wilson below.
Our annual meeting is open to members of Maryland Philanthropy Network. Select guests will be invited by MPN. Please register by August 30, 2024.
Agenda
- 10:30 AM | Registration and Networking with coffee and light bites available
- 11:00 AM | Program Begins
- 11:30 AM | Keynote Address with Q & A
- 12:15 PM | Luncheon Begins
- 1:30 PM | Event Ends
10:30 AM – 4:00 PM | Museum Open for Visiting
Tickets
- $75 per person
We are offering a 10% discount for reservations of entire tables (8 seats). You have the option to reserve a table to sit together or not! Contact Megan to process this request.
Venue
This year’s event will be hosted in the Bearman Gallery and Founders’ Room of the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park and Museum, 1417 Thames St., Baltimore, MD 21231. In addition to our gathering space, attendees will have access to the museum's exhibits.
Parking
There are multiple parking lots nearby the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park and Museum, including the Premium Parking Lot at 1401 Thames Street and the Premium Parking Garage at 1530 Thames Street. You may view a map of the closest lots and find more details about rates, reservations, and payment here and here. You can easily pay for parking via the mobile app or links associated with the lots. Validation is not available. On-street metered parking is also available.
Speaker
Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson is president and CEO of Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) and the CDF Action Council. Founded in 1973, CDF builds community so young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy. Children’s Defense Fund envisions a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being, and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive. It pursues this vision through policy advocacy, community organizing, and a network of CDF Freedom Schools in 100 U.S. cities and thirty states.
Distinguished for activism in philanthropy, faith, and community for child well-being and racial justice, Dr. Wilson’s public ministry includes service to vital national institutions. He chairs the board for Duke University’s Divinity School, is a trustee of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, and a director for the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) and the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), both of which he previously served as board chair.
Since joining CDF in 2020, Wilson has strengthened the organization’s strategy and finances while managing its first leadership transition. Upon arrival, he re-activated CDF Action Council as a sister organization for grassroots legislative education, lobbying, and public accountability. In 2021, Wilson established a dedicated Leadership Development and Organizing department focused on base building with key constituencies. In 2022, this team relaunched CDF’s Black Student Leadership Network to train students in community organizing and policy analysis and initiated capacity-building cohorts for faith communities to advocate for children’s policy. To infuse public policy with youth voice, in 2023 he merged the American Youth Policy Forum into CDF and published a 2030 public policy agenda informed by listening sessions and focus groups within CDF Freedom Schools®.
Learn more about Rev. Dr. Wilson and the Children’s Defense Fund here.
Accessibility
We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment; please feel free to review our general Accessibility guidelines. We also invite you to use the "Comments Section" of the registration process to share any accommodations you require to participate in the event.
