Catalysts of Community Philanthropy: How Community Foundations, Collective Giving, and Giving Days Strengthen Civic Life

Across the globe, communities are experimenting with new ways to organize generosity, revitalizing longstanding traditions of giving, and creating fresh vehicles for connection. Community foundations, giving circles, mutual aid groups, giving days, and neighborhood‑led funds are all reshaping philanthropy from the ground up — expanding participation, strengthening trust, and shifting power closer to communities.

This webinar brings together a panel of field experts to introduce a shared vocabulary for understanding community philanthropy, drawing on research from “Defining Community Philanthropy: Principles and Dimensions of a Transformative Practice,” an article published recently in The Foundation Review. We’ll highlight the catalysts — people, networks, and institutions — who weave social fabric, nurture civic engagement, and mobilize generosity in ways that strengthen community self‑determination.

Our conversation will consider key questions, including:

• Why is community philanthropy so urgently needed right now?
• What makes community philanthropy distinct from traditional philanthropy?
• How do we know when community philanthropy is successful, as measured by community members?

In this moment when trust in institutions is fragile and communities face widening inequalities, community philanthropy offers practices rooted in local assets, reciprocal relationships, and community‑driven decision‑making.

Price: Free
Format: Virtual

Panelists:

• Representing community foundations as community leaders:
  Mary Thomas, president & CEO of CFLeads, who advances the role of community foundations as place‑based civic institutions committed to equity, belonging, and community agency.

• Representing collective giving:
  Sara Lomelín, CEO of Philanthropy Together, who has helped catalyze the rapid expansion of giving circles and identity‑based giving networks across the United States and beyond.

• Representing giving days:
  Asha Curran, CEO of GivingTuesday, whose movement demonstrates how distributed leadership, shared purpose, and everyday generosity can spark civic action in communities around the world.

Moderator: Dr. Michael D. Layton, W.K. Kellogg Chair for Community Philanthropy, Johnson Center for Philanthropy, and author of “Defining Community Philanthropy: Principles and Dimensions of a Transformative Practice”
 

 
Please note: This webinar will be recorded and shared publicly online after the live session.

Questions about this event or your registration?
Call 616-331-7585 or email jcp@gvsu.edu.