Program areas at GEO
Conferences - geo conferences educate and inspire action. In 2022, we held a national conference that convened almost 700 Grantmakers both in person and virtually due to the ongoing covid pandemic. About 600 participants gathered in chicago to connect with each other and hear from dynamic speakers on topics related to shifting philanthropic culture. We also hosted approximately 100 members of our community in a virtual conference that took place online in the weeks following the in-person gathering. In both conference settings, participants exchanged ideas and deepened their skillset related to advancing racial-equity centered change in their Organizations and the adoption and implementation of philanthropic practices that lead to thriving communities.
Research and learning - we conduct research on field trends to mark changes in grantmaker practice over time, as well as ongoing skill-building for our staff, board and other key stakeholders to inform our strategy of building community.
Member programs - geo is a diverse community of nearly 500 grantmaking Organizations working to transform philanthropic culture and practice. In 2022, Grantmakers addressed shared challenges in grantmaking through geo's peer learning programs including webinars, member calls and remote learning series. Other member programs, such as our fellowship cohorts and ceo/senior leader programming found new ways for members and non-member Grantmakers to come together to address the barriers to adopting grantmaking practices that support thriving communities. These opportunities allow members to talk about the challenges they are facing, advance equity, work through complex changes within their Organizations, and advocate for improved practices across the field.
Communications & publications - geo raises awareness that will catalyze change in the field of philanthropy. We engage in ongoing fieldwide communication efforts to accomplish this. In 2022, geo drew attention to grantmaking practices and culture that support thirivng nonprofits and communities through media outreach, presenting at conferences, producing publications such as "centering equity through flexible, reliable funding", and using online tools such as the geo website, social media outlets, member list-serves, and e-newsletters.