Search

Search Tip: Search with " " to find exact matches.

A Network for the Common Good

PSO / Philanthropic Practice

The Forum is committed to advancing effective philanthropic practice that is deeply rooted in principles of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our programs are designed to empower our members with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to drive significant change in the sector in two ways. First, we provide education for national and regional philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs) to advance their important work in the sector. Second, we provide education that our members can deliver to their members and constituents to advance effective philanthropy.

    About

    We provide education for national and regional philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs) to advance their important work in the sector. First, we provide education for national and regional philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs) to advance their important work in the sector. Second, we provide education that our members can deliver to their members and constituents to advance effective philanthropy.

    What's New

    Education for PSOs

    We offer comprehensive educational, professional development, and networking opportunities tailored specifically for national and regional philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs). Through periodic calls, webinars, and Peer Communities, we provide a platform for PSO members to connect, learn, and collaborate with peers who share similar roles and responsibilities. Our signature Annual Conference serves as a pivotal gathering, bringing together CEOs and staff for the nation’s largest convening of regional and national PSOs in the field.

    Peer Communities

    A key benefit of Forum membership, the Peer Communities and listservs offer staff and CEOs from philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs) in our network ongoing opportunities to connect and learn with peers with similar job responsibilities in regional and national PSOs. Peer Communities provide spaces for members to connect through ongoing listserv discussions, regularly scheduled virtual calls, and an in-person workshop during the Forum’s Annual Conference.

    Annual Conference

    The Forum Annual Conference is unlike any other event in the philanthropy sector. It is the only event that brings together people from all of the country’s philanthropy associations and networks—philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs) that play a key role in advancing, convening, mobilizing, informing and supporting the field.

    It is the ONLY conference where you can connect with your Forum colleagues to explore your unique roles as PSOs to advance, inform, convene, mobilize and support the philanthropic sector. You’ll be inspired by a roster of engaging keynote speakers; participate in skill-building sessions in key functional areas for PSOs; have plenty of structured and informal time to network; creatively collaborate and build community with your peers; and have several opportunities to explore our host city.

    Save the date for the 2024 Forum Annual Conference in St. Louis, Missouri July 15-17! Additional details and registration will be available soon.

    FIND OUT MORE

    Education for Funders

    The Forum develops and implements educational strategies that leverage the full breadth of skills, expertise, and wisdom across our network to shape meaningful learning opportunities that strengthen philanthropic practice. These strategies are designed so that they can be delivered by our members to their foundation members in consistent, effective, and efficient ways. This work focuses on three core areas: philanthropic practice, which focuses on the “how” of philanthropic work and on building skills and knowledge for deeper impact; embedding racial equity in philanthropy; and special programming to serve specific areas, such as our community foundation services and our work in rural philanthropy. 

    The Forum's philanthropic practice work is led by Traci Slater-Rigaud, the Forum’s Senior Director of Member Engagement & Partnerships.

    VIEW MORE PROGRAMS

    Events

    Featured Resources

    PSO Program Partnerships

    How do philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs) partner together on programming? These partnerships take place along a continuum with varying levels of time and resource commitment.

    PSO Partnership Resources & Examples

    Navigating the PSO Partnership Trail: A Field Guide for PSOs

    Join us on the trail with this PSO Field Guide that provides the stories of victory and defeat and provides details on the equipment necessary for successful partnerships and collaboration among PSOs and our partners. 

    Download the Field Guide

    Learning to Ride the Wave: Adaptive Business Modeling for Philanthropy-Serving Organizations

    Developed by The Giving Practice (TGP) in partnership with United Philanthropy Forum and Northern California Grantmakers, this guide shares seven practices and 12 tools for philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs) who seek effective ways to mobilize resources to sustain their organization’s work.

    Download the Report

    Online Community Foundation Express Training

    The Forum is partnering with CF Express Training on online training and certificate program focuses on core essentials over a 15-module series that covers nearly every aspect of community foundation work: from asset development and quality grants programs design to fiduciary and policy matters.

    More Detail About This Training

    The Forum's Philanthropy/PSO Practice work is led by Traci Slater-Rigaud, the Forum’s Senior Director of Member Engagement & Partnerships.

    Back to Top
    UNITED PHILANTHROPY FORUM

    Powered by the Knowledge Management Collaborative

    © 2024 United Philanthropy Forum. All Rights Reserved.

    X

    Sign In

    Not a Member? Join the Forum to help increase philanthropy’s impact.