Agenda

The Conference on Investing provides a half-day of sessions dedicated to market trends, the latest investment strategies and different approaches foundations can use to maximize not only returns, but also impact.

Includes breakfast and lunch.

Cost: $250 for members / $350 for non-members

Session 1 (8:00am-9:20am)
The Post-Pandemic Economy: What’s Changed Since 2019 – And What It Means for Endowments

Join us for an insightful session exploring the changes in the global economy since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020. This session will delve into the significant shifts that have redefined the economic landscape, including a focus on key areas such as inflation, the housing market, and labor market dynamics. This session will highlight how these factors influence investment decisions and fund management and equip attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the post-pandemic economic environment.

Session 2 (9:30am-10:20am)
Mission-Aligned Investing: Maximizing Impact & Returns

The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (WRF) has demonstrated its commitment to Arkansas and Southern communities by aligning its total investment portfolio with its mission to relentlessly pursue racial and economic equity. Since 2016, WRF has intensified it focus on integrating mission and impact priorities across asset classes, such that over 80% of its endowment has strong mission alignment today. The WK Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) was a pioneer in mission investing and dedicated a $100 million portion of its substantial endowment to solely focus on Mission Driven Investing back in 2007. Today the team and portfolio has grown to be over $240 million dollars and it offers a model of how such a “carveout” program can help drive thinking, action, and results across an entire organization.

Session 3 (10:30am-11:20am)
Governance and Spending Considerations for Philanthropic Organizations

How can foundations meet their 5 percent payout while growing in perpetuity? To answer this question, we will examine the current market environment, considerations in portfolio structuring, risk/return trade-offs, and how to engage key stakeholders in decisions. You will also hear how one foundation leader has balanced spending needs with investment decisions to ensure necessary portfolio growth.

Session 4 (11:40am-12:30pm)
USDA’s $30 Million Moonshot for the Southeast Regional Food System: What to know and how philanthropy will make all the difference

Revitalizing regional food economies requires significant, long-term investment. In 2022, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $5 billion to create a more resilient, diverse, and climate-smart food system, including $400 million for the first ever USDA Regional Food Business Center (RFBC) program. Over the next five years, 12 RFBCs will support small- and mid-sized food and farm businesses in their respective geographies to enhance agricultural resilience and regional food system viability through equitable economic development.

One RFBC is designated for the Southeast Region, covering Virginia to Florida. The SE RFBC will identify critical gaps in the regional supply chain and respond with catalytic grants, technical assistance, and coordination. As the only RFBC with a financial institution sharing a position of leadership, the SE RFBC is uniquely poised to enable innovative public-private capital solutions for sustainable food system transformation. 

This session will outline the Southeast Center’s goals and plans, and discuss how philanthropies, impact investors, and other financial actors can leverage this unprecedented amount of federal investment to support the region's food economy. Attendees will explore bridging RFBC grants with ongoing capital needs and provide feedback to shape the Center’s approach.

This hands-on learning session about proactive and intentional asset development for community foundations will challenge your thinking about building your unrestricted endowment. We will start by focusing on developing staff as philanthropic advisors, making your community foundation an unrestricted endowment building machine and promoting your role as your community’s endowment builder. Then, we’ll dive deep into unrestricted endowment prospect identification, qualification, cultivation, asking and stewardship, including strategies for working with donor-advised fund holders, private foundation trustees and professional advisors. You’ll leave with an unrestricted asset development plan you can adapt to your organization’s needs and your community.

Cost: $100

The CEO Forum provides a space for executive leaders to connect with one another in an environment that encourages open, candid conversation and vulnerability. Facilitated by two leaders with first-hand CEO experience, this session will give attendees the opportunity to delve into specific issues they are facing and discuss the effects of these challenges on not only their organizations, but also themselves as leaders and people. Frequent table talks will create further openings for sharing, discovery and even solutions.

Cost: $100

Note: This tour is at capacity. To be added to a waitlist, please contact Stephen Sherman at stephen@philanthropysoutheast.org.

The Civil Rights Movement and the ratification of the 19th Amendment have strong historical roots in Nashville that have been preserved through special exhibits at the Nashville Public Library’s Main Downtown location. The Civil Rights Room overlooks the intersection of Church Street and Seventh Avenue North, where nonviolent protests against segregated lunch counters took place. Tour participants will sit at a symbolic lunch counter and learn about the events that took place during this transformative period in Nashville history. The Votes for Women Room was created to mark the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. This permanent exhibit explores a range of topics surrounding democracy, political movements and women’s role in society through videos, interactive exhibits and interpretative panels.

Departs from the Omni lobby. Admission to the library is free and same day re-entry is permitted. Please wear comfortable shoes.

Today, more than ever, foundation trustees need to exercise multiple leadership responsibilities simultaneously. We are called to “hold in trust” the tangible and intangible assets of the foundation through periods of economic and social volatility. We are called to “build trust” with increasingly diverse constituencies in a time of rising expectations of philanthropy. We are called to “fulfill trust” by creatively engaging both unfinished business and emerging challenges. This highly interactive session will provide examples, frameworks and tools for exercising trustee leadership while keeping equity front and center.

Cost: $100

This session will focus on how corporate foundations that have a priority investment focus of mental wellness can approach the mental health crisis as it relates to both our organizations and communities. Through sharing promising strategies and practices and facilitating peer learning, we will look at the spectrum of possible strategies including colleague engagement, colleague activation, and broadscale community investment with national and local partners.

Cost: $100

For those new to Philanthropy Southeast or the Annual Meeting, this is your chance to learn more about us, our team, our leadership and how you can get the most out of your Annual Meeting experience – and your Philanthropy Southeast membership!

While many small and medium-sized foundations aspire to develop grant portfolios that address key environmental concerns, many are deterred because the problems seem too big to be meaningfully addressed with limited funds. This session will profile the work of three small to medium-sized foundations that have achieved significant outcomes in their environmental grantmaking by funding journalism, story-telling, and other strategic communications efforts.

Philanthropy is supporting incredible work for the greater good. But in the ways we talk about that work, we could do better: A new report by the Council on Foundations and the Center for Public Interest finds that the sector’s own messaging is a big part the reason Americans generally don’t understand philanthropy. Join the Council and the Center for a session to dig into science-backed strategies for foundations to build understanding and trust, starting with the words we use and the stories we tell. The session will include a brief overview of findings, then hands-on workshopping in small groups.

Recent data indicates a concerning trend: both nonprofit and philanthropic leaders are experiencing heightened levels of stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout, particularly exacerbated by the challenges brought about by the pandemic. These factors collectively contribute to an unwell sector in need of urgent attention.  

This session will address this pressing issue by championing the creation of a culture of care tailored to philanthropic leaders through the implementation of internal policies and practices designed to prioritize wellness. We will discuss ways to improve access to comprehensive mental and physical health resources and options for improving the work environment, including hybrid approaches and shortened work weeks, along with other innovative strategies.

Our discussion will center the individual, placing their well-being at the forefront with intentional investments that foster a healthier and more resilient culture, laying the groundwork for greater effectiveness and impact in the long term.

Creating a Culture of Care is a two-part series dedicated to fostering healing and wellness among nonprofit and philanthropic leaders. Part two, focused on nonprofit organizations, takes place on Friday at 9:45am.

Explore how local and national philanthropic leaders are working together to build a collaborative partnership that invests in systems of care for foster youth. Speakers will share promising practices around collaborative and aligned funding and how they are supporting strong, organization-driven strategies that put grantees front and center; building a resilient field of cross-sector leaders that ultimately enables organizations to more effectively carry out their missions; and aligning work to transform funding for foster youth, identify strategic overlap among funders, and develop coordinated giving approaches.

SMIRF – it’s a Passing Gear philanthropy framework that helps foundations impact their communities well beyond their grantmaking. But how do you use your social, moral, intellectual, reputational, and financial capital in a strategic way? In this interactive session with MDC, you’ll learn how foundations across the South have used all forms of capital to accelerate the pace of change and have greater impact. Now part of MDC’s Equity Centered Philanthropy Model, Passing Gear principles help foundations align their capacity with their aspirations to change civic culture and create a more just and thriving society. Learn from the Equity Centered Philanthropy Team and Passing Gear Alumni who will share lessons on how they’ve changed their work and what they fund – all while tackling tough issues in their own communities.

This session is designed to deepen the foundation trustee's understanding of how their leadership and engagement directly shape the culture and success of their organizations. The training will open with an overview of Purpose-Driven Board Leadership, setting the stage for how trustees can lead with intentionally and purposefully.

From there, we will explore the dynamics of board participation and engagement in meetings, focusing on how board members "show up" and contribute to strategic decision-making, strengthening the relationship with the CEO and staff. Practical examples and interactive discussions will highlight best practices for communication, support, and accountability, ensuring that meetings not only accomplish tasks but also reinforce a culture of purpose across the foundation.

Newcomers to the Annual Meeting are invited to connect with our staff and Board at this informal gathering.

The biggest event of the Annual Meeting has been reimagined to provide even more opportunities for connection and entertainment! Whether you prefer to sit, stand, move around (or dance!), the Chair's Reception & Dinner is the perfect way to celebrate the start of this year's Annual Meeting. You'll be able to connect with colleagues while enjoying a diverse selection of food and music spread throughout the halls of the Omni. Entertainment from the Tri-Star Sounds of Tennessee will allow you to journey across the state's musical map, taking in West Memphis Blues, East Mountain Bluegrass and, of course, the classic country sounds of "Music City". 

Note: This event is at capacity. To be added to a waitlist, please contact Stephen Sherman at stephen@philanthropysoutheast.org.

Start your morning with a 60-minute gentle flow yoga class to get you focused and ready to go for the day. The class will be led by a Small World Yoga certified instructor and is suitable for all levels from first-timers to experienced practitioners. Yoga mats will be provided! Space is limited to 30 participants.
 
Small World Yoga provides free and discounted trauma-informed yoga classes at over 75 Nashville area community partner locations annually, including public schools, homeless shelters, libraries, recovery centers, correctional facilities, and more. Small World Yoga also operates Nashville’s only nonprofit donation-based yoga studio in the Edgehill neighborhood.

This year’s Business Meeting will include the election of new Trustees to the Philanthropy Southeast Board, plus remarks from leaders on our staff and Board.

This interactive session will provide specific suggestions on what to look for to determine legal best practice compliance for funds and agreements. The review will consider all types of funds: donor-advised, designated, agency, scholarship, field of interest, endowment, fiscal sponsorship, and more. Questions and discussion will be encouraged.

Now more than ever, foundations are working in community and across sectors to address inequities and to improve outcomes to entrenched societal problems. These problems are vexing, and sometimes seem to be getting worse instead of better. This session will provide a breath of fresh air by demonstrating how some of our biggest concerns can be cracked open and viewed in new and different ways through an artistic process. You will hear tangible examples from the Lyndhurst Foundation, ArtsBuild (a Chattanooga Arts Hub) and Poet Erika Roberts, who has been embedded in projects such as the Westside Evolves public housing effort. We hope you leave this session with a renewed sense of possibility for tackling challenging problems in your community through the engagement of the arts and individual artists.

The 2023-24 class of the Hull Fellows program, the region's premier philanthropic leadership development program, will present the results of their independent research and study on key issues facing our field and our region today. Presentations will be split over two sessions – 10:30am on Thursday, and 9:45am on Friday.

Nearly one-third of American newspapers have gone out of business since 2005, according to last year’s State of Local News report, and the number of closures continues to grow. Residents in more than half of U.S. counties currently have no, or very limited, access to a reliable local news source – in any format. Many of these news deserts lie in high-poverty communities throughout the Southeast.

To meet this urgent need, there has been substantial growth in the number of nonprofit newsrooms accompanied by a growing interest in philanthropic funding for journalism in the United States. Foundations are increasingly investing in both nonprofit and for-profit news outlets to advance their strategic priorities, support independent reporting, and encourage civic engagement.

This session will explore how foundations and networks in the Southeast region are partnering to reshape and rebuild the local news landscape and to position local journalism as a force for community and civic engagement.

Is one week after the 2024 elections too early to begin planning your policy and advocacy strategy for 2025? No! This session will review the legislative and regulatory landscape in Washington following races for the White House and Congress and help you plot a strategy for reaching out to policymakers in support of our sector and your organization's priorities. We’ll make sure you’re prepared for the year ahead, discussing messages for this year’s Foundations on the Hill, the importance of a strong Southeast delegation, the do’s-and-don’ts of lobbying, and more!

In 2019, Grantmakers for Southern Progress (GSP) partnered with the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) to launch “As the South Grows,” a report series that unveiled the tapestry of the South: its vibrant cultures, diverse demographics, and abundant natural resources juxtaposed against systemic challenges like poverty, racialized violence, climate crises, and underinvestment. The goal was clear: Use these stories as a catalyst to increase and sustain funding for marginalized communities in the South, fund strategies that are informed by directly impacted communities and improve the quality of life and build power among Southern people. Now, five years later, GSP and NCRP are building on this foundation with a new iteration to guide funders as we navigate a time when communities need strategic allies more than ever.

Join us to gain insights into navigating critical issues, understanding the current political landscape, and addressing imminent threats faced by communities of color. Learn how to become a strategic ally and drive transformative change by supporting grassroots movement organizers on the ground.  We will explore actionable recommendations from this new report series and hear inspiring stories of funders implementing strategies that create real change in Southern communities. This session serves as your gateway to resourcing movements, providing vital political and economic support, and amplifying the voices of progress in the American Southeast.

Featuring entertainment from 926, the Stax Music Academy Alumni Band! The Stax Music Academy inspires young people and enhances their academic, cognitive, performance, and leadership skills by utilizing music with an intense focus on the rich legacy and tradition of Stax Records, the legendary label founded in Memphis.

The best laid plans will inevitably encounter unexpected disruptions. So, how does your organization to stick to a strategic plan while also remaining flexible and nimble? Perhaps an adaptive approach, rather than a static plan, is a better fit for dynamic times. In this discussion, hear leaders within health legacy, community foundation, and membership organizations discuss how they have managed change while staying true to their long-term priorities. The discussion will touch on different types of change, from cultural and political influences, to communicating a shift in priorities, and to natural and man-made disasters. Learn how funders have stayed the course while charting new paths.

Delve into the transformative power of corporate funders in driving impactful change within communities across the Southeast. We will explore the unique strategies, challenges, and successes of corporate funders dedicated to making a difference in areas such as education, health care, environmental sustainability, and social welfare. Attendees will gain an understanding of how corporate funders maintain mission alignment amidst changing political and financial climates.

Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) and Latino communities are driving the growth of our region. With Census data showing increases of 46% for AAPI and 39% for Latino populations over the past decade, we cannot afford to ignore the impact of the South’s fastest-growing groups on our shared prosperity and future. Come explore how demographic changes are evolving the South, the strengths and opportunities within diverse communities, and ways community leaders and grantmakers can work together to bridge differences and build a stronger, multicultural region where all can thrive and belong.

Housing and justice are deeply interconnected issues that shape the lives and futures of individuals and communities. Access to safe, affordable housing is a fundamental human right that provides the foundation for stability and opportunity. At the same time, justice reform seeks to create a fair and equitable legal system, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, are treated with dignity and respect. Mississippi and Tennessee, two states rich in history and culture, face unique challenges and opportunities in addressing these critical issues. This panel discussion will explore two similar yet distinct approaches to addressing the complex problems surrounding housing and justice reform in these states.  

Investments by philanthropy in advocacy for health policies have made a difference in reducing health disparities. Join this conversation to hear from members about health advocacy strategies to improve and protect health outcomes in diverse communities for the most people, at the least cost, and in the least amount of time. This session will share actionable ideas with funders and leaders on how to support statewide advocacy efforts through research, collaboration, and grantmaking.

This session will focus on recent or ongoing activities from policymaking, courts, and the law that private foundations and their personnel should be aware of. Topics for discussion will include: changes to overtime rules, donor-advised funds and private foundations, donor privacy (especially regarding grantmaking outside the United States and support for U.S. organizations that receive funding from non-U.S. sources), support for organizations that deliver social services that may violate the law, and more. This session will also discuss the practical effects of recent court cases involving the use of race in decision-making, including the use of proxies and otherwise neutral criteria, whether tax exemption subjects private foundations to treatment as recipients of federal funds, whether contests and/or grants are contracts subject to Section 1981, and employment cases alleging a hostile work environment and/or discrimination in hiring.

Since the Supreme Court's decision ending affirmative action for college and university admissions, race-based initiatives in both the public and private spheres have come under increased threats. One program – a grant for Black female businessowners run by the nonprofit arm of Fearless Fund, a venture capital firm – shut down earlier this year following a lawsuit from the same organization that succeeded in the affirmative action case. Are similar programs supported by philanthropy next? How is the sector responding? We will examine these questions and the current legal landscape in this session featuring representatives of several foundations in the region.

An opportunity to discuss philanthropy's role after a natural disaster or emergency event in both initial relief funding and in planning for recovery.  We hope to elicit key takeaways and pitfalls, how philanthropy can fill needed gaps and how to best hear the voice of the community in times of need. We welcome anyone who has worked in this context to join us.

AI Curious? Join us for an AI Experiential Workshop curated for philanthropic professionals. You’ll be introduced to generators such as Copilot, Chat GPT, and Dall-E, and the fundamentals of generative AI. We’ll walk through real-time use cases and explore the value proposition of leveraging AI technologies for both philanthropy and nonprofits grantees. We encourage you to bring your own device and dive-in alongside us. Expert Tech Facilitators will be available to answer questions and provide best practices on how to get the most out of AI engines.

In a recent GivingData report, five funders highlighted the critical importance of eliminating barriers and reducing the workload on grant recipients as core principles in equitable grantmaking. This session will showcase practical approaches for implementing these principles and feature examples of how funders are utilizing technology to foster connections and increase collaboration with their nonprofit partners and the communities they serve.

This exclusive event honors the people and organizations who have supported Philanthropy Southeast's work, including the Annual Meeting, over the past year. These contributions allow us fulfill our mission: strengthening Southern philanthropy and welcoming our members to listen, learn and collaborate on ideas and actions to help build an equitable, prosperous South. 

The President's Reception will feature entertainment from 926, the Stax Music Academy Alumni Band, created in 2013 as a way to engage Stax Music Academy graduates who were in college but home on summer break.

The Supporting LGBTQ+ Communities Reception is dedicated to celebrating and supporting LGBTQ+ communities. Connect with like-minded individuals, enjoy refreshments, and learn more about how you can make a difference.

At a time when LGBTQ+ communities face unprecedented barriers, challenges, and continued legislative attacks, your presence and support are more vital than ever. Come reconnect with friends and partners, make new connections, and learn about exciting work happening with LGBTQ+ movements in the South. Together, we can strengthen our collaboration to support and uplift this work at a critical time.

Please RSVP for the reception here.

Sponsors: Laughing Gull Foundation, Philanthropy Southeast, Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, Cone Health Foundation, Dogwood Health Trust, Funders for LGBTQ Issues, Hill-Snowdon Foundation, Homestead Foundation, Tzedek Social Justice Fund, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Grantmakers for Southern Progress

Members are invited to a special reception hosted by ABFE, A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities and SNAAP, Southeast Network of African Americans in Philanthropy. Attendees will learn about ABFE and SNAAP, specifically the importance of these networks and the opportunities they provide to support black leaders and others in the field. All are welcome.

Current and alumni members of Philanthropy Southeast’s premier leadership development program are invited to connect during this special reception.

Note: This event is at capacity. To be added to a waitlist, please contact Stephen Sherman at stephen@philanthropysoutheast.org.

This event will offer an upscale, globally-inspired menu created by Deb Paquette, one of the most prominent chefs in Nashville. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Deb became the first woman in Tennessee to qualify as a certified executive chef and has since won countless awards and accolades. During dinner, you'll be entertained by local music critic and historian Robert Oermann, who will share insights and many great stories about the Nashville music scene, both past and present.

Cocktails will start at 6:00pm followed by dinner at 7:00pm.

Cost: $125

Note: This event is at capacity. To be added to a waitlist, please contact Stephen Sherman at stephen@philanthropysoutheast.org.

Join us for a salon dinner at Nashville's famed Parthenon in the middle of beautiful Centennial Park. The Nashville Parthenon is the world’s only exact-size replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, Greece, and features The James M. Cowan Collection of American Art.  Also on site is a 41’ 10” sculpture of Athena, goddess of wisdom, warfare and handicraft, holding a statue of Nike, goddess of victory, which is 6’4”. The imposingly beautiful statue is gilded with 8 pounds of 23.75 carat gold and will be available for viewing during our festive dinner. Before dinner, attendees will enjoy a docent-led tour of the Cowan Collection of American Art.

Cost: $125

Calling all Black women leading philanthropy! Please join us as we connect to celebrate our sisterhood and our place in the world of Southern philanthropy. Many of us enjoyed the beautiful and intentional gatherings in Atlanta in October 2022 and January 2024. Let's come together again – or for the first time – for food, fellowship, fun and a time of reminiscing and remembrance.

AI may be the newest buzzword, but the implications of how artificial intelligence will impact the way we work and live cannot be overstated. When Microsoft Philanthropies in Atlanta and United Way of Greater Atlanta began working on technology capacity building, they knew they needed to create accessible inroads for nonprofits to learn about and use Generative AI (GAI) in their operations and programs. Collaborating with NPursuit Career Partners, they developed a tiered approach to technology capacity building that provided accessibility to nonprofits with low technology skillsets. Join them for a thought-provoking conversation about:

• How philanthropy can leverage GAI as an equity tool
• An overview of the "Exposure-to-Adoption" model 
• Real case studies of how nonprofits are utilizing GAI
• Robust discussion on pushing the boundaries of AI implementation in the nonprofit sector to go beyond “doing more” and “scaling up”

The nonprofit network thrives when leaders are well-rested, staff are well taken care of, and clients are met with energized supporters who show up with creativity, patience, compassion and joy. But all too often, the work-life balance falls out of balance, leaving nonprofit staff, especially those at the top, struggling to keep up at a time of increasing community need – a growing issue that presents a threat to the success and future of our grantee partners.

In this session, we will explore the stressors of nonprofit leaders, and their causes and outcomes, while also providing specific solutions to create a culture of care specifically tailored to nonprofit leaders who seldom, if ever, have the opportunity to rest. 

Creating a Culture of Care is a two-part series dedicated to fostering healing and wellness among nonprofit and philanthropic leaders. Part one, focused on foundation staff, takes place on Wednesday at 3:45pm.

How are families cultivating their next-gen leaders to ensure their family foundations are making their greatest social impact? Successful family foundations strive for maximum effectiveness in terms of governance and grantmaking. Learn how families are collectively setting goals for grantmaking impact and identifying qualities and characteristics for their next-gen leaders to develop for optimal effectiveness.

The 2023-24 class of the Hull Fellows program, the region's premier philanthropic leadership development program, will present the results of their independent research and study on key issues facing our field and our region today. Presentations will be split over two sessions – 10:30am on Thursday, and 9:45am on Friday.

In some places in the rural South, structural discrimination is rooted in class rather than race, often caused by disinvestment from large industries that do not return to the region. Persistent poverty and structural discrimination hold in place a reality and narrative of scarcity, marginalization, and lack of opportunity. In this session, we will explore how two different places in the South are having conversations and working to advance equity for all under-resourced communities. We will use data to examine the intersection of education, equity, and economic mobility, with a focus on understanding the unique barriers and opportunities faced by rural communities. Through open dialogue and shared purpose, we can work together toward opportunities for all people to thrive. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or just beginning your journey toward equity, this session offers a valuable space for learning, sharing, and catalyzing positive change.

Warren Buffett once said, “Games are won by players who focus on the playing field – not by those whose eyes are glued to the scoreboard.” There’s certainly a lot to watch on the playing field right now. Geopolitical conflict, inflation, high-stakes elections and just a general sense of uncertainty. Is your performance lagging the benchmark and you’re not sure why? Is your portfolio in a position to thrive? In this environment of uncertainty, now is the right time to review your allocation and benchmarking philosophies – and re-focus on what matters most.