As many grassroots groups have pointed out over decades, philanthropy, as an institution, is complicit in anti-Blackness. As funders, we can begin to remedy philanthropy’s unjust practices, policies, and outcomes through our explicit and intentional actions. Abundance is a movement in philanthropy to change practice, policy, mindsets, and ways of being to support Black people and communities. Join the session to hear how funders are taking action towards Abundance, and learn how you can be a part of the movement.

All grantmakers are invited to participate in this four-part professional development series taught by our region's experienced practitioners, presented by Maryland Philanthropy Network. This session will cover maximizing grant impact, managing your grant portfolio, and continuing to learn. Participants will learn to connect capacity building, advocacy, grantee engagement, and diversity/inclusion to effectiveness and identify leadership roles in philanthropy beyond delivering dollars. Participants will also discuss grant monitoring, evaluation, and closure, and discover additional resources for ongoing development.

The global pandemic undeniably established in the public mind that robust, affordable broadband service is part of our critical public infrastructure and an essential tool for our daily lives—as necessary as reliable electricity and clean water. Join Maryland Philanthropy Network to learn about the various aspects of the digital divide and the prospects for addressing it in Maryland and, particularly, in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. We’ll learn about the role of the new Office of Statewide Broadband; possibilities of building out broadband infrastructure and digital navigators; and gaps in public funding/possible investment opportunities for philanthropy.