Equip
We enhance philanthropic leadership by offering quality information, research and skill-building programs for grantmakers.
Our Members gain new knowledge of strategies and best practices in giving, organizational management, trends in the philanthropic sector, and the needs of our region through their interaction with Philanthropy Missouri.
Our staff curates news, publications, and tools specifically designed for the philanthropic sector and produces reports and tools relevant to our region. Browse our News and Resources pages to learn more.
Philanthropy Missouri also hosts a variety of content-based programs for grantmakers to enhance their knowledge through in-person learning and discussion with their peers. Check out our events calendar to view our currently scheduled programs.
Our content programs include:
- Grantmaker Skills & Strategies - Training for grantmaking staff including workshops on building successful relationships with nonprofits, incorporating nonprofit financial information into your grantmaking, and integrating policy and advocacy into your work.
- Topical Programs - Timely programs on specific issues in our society where philanthropy has a role to play in fostering change, such as the opioid epidemic, immigrant and refugee issues, sex trafficking, the Census, American Rescue Plan Act fiscal recovery, and many more.
- Networks - Many of our Members engage in similar work, and they find it beneficial to collaborate and share their efforts. Current networks include:
- Early Childhood Education - This network is intended to expose those interested in early learning to worthy initiatives, research findings, and advocacy tools to support their work.
- Education - Funders interested in sharing resources about K-12 learning in our region gather to deepen their understanding of best practices and the challenges to ensuring access to quality educational opportunities for all.
- Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion - This network was established in 2014 and is intended for participants who are interested in exploring issues of diversity, equity and inclusion, both within funding organizations and in the broader community, with the understanding that enhanced knowledge and relationships can inform their work as grantmakers and collaborators.
- Corporate - A forum for corporate grantmakers to exchange ideas, share their unique processes, and hear presentations geared towards a business audience on a broad range of topics of interest.
- Family Foundation and Donor-Advised Funds - Family grantmakers and donor-advised fund holders face unique needs that are often best supported by peer learning, facilitated through this program series. PhilMO staff work to bring guidance and assistance to family foundations by addressing varied topics, such as incorporating the next generation of family into the foundation, establishing appropriate evaluation practices, and addressing family dynamics in decision-making.
Connect
We engage donors through networking opportunities with other grantmakers and community leaders to share insights and resources, build understanding and foster collaboration.
Our Members strengthen their practices by expanding their professional networks, learning from experienced grantmakers, and making connections with thought leaders, trailblazers, and subject matter experts.
Check out our Member Directory to contact a fellow Member.
Philanthropy Missouri networking programs include:
- People in Philanthropy - Networking luncheons for grantmakers and those supporting their work.
- Philanthropy After Hours - Informal evening networking opportunities for participants in the Missouri grantmaking community.
- Funder Coffee Breaks - Informal "fireside chat" talks with sector leaders on topics of interest
- Lunch with Leaders - A unique leadership development program aimed at fostering the next generation of philanthropic sector leaders in corporate, private, and family foundations.
Energize
We energize our Members for aligned action to address our region's most pressing issues, as well as national challenges that are facing the philanthropic sector.
Our Members apply their learning and connections to increase their organization’s effectiveness, inform their giving practices, and perform their job responsibilities more effectively.
Aligned action can include:
- Internal alignment - engaging in strategic and thoughtful giving that ensures your mission and values are fully and intentionally realized in your giving.
- Partner alignment - coordinating your efforts with community partners, through consultation and the hard work of collaboration.
- Regional alignment - aligning your giving with well-researched and clearly identified goals for our community as a whole.
To support the work of our Members, Philanthropy Missouri also hosts community programs. These include:
- Meet the Donor - We provide a platform for funders to present their giving strategy updates to an audience of nonprofit organization leaders. This program increases transparency in our community, eases the burden on nonprofits by helping them to identify potential funding opportunities, and cultivates new relationships between funders and nonprofits.
- Common Grant Application Trainings - Philanthropy Missouri staff works with the Network for Strong Communities to share our free resource, the Missouri Common Grant Application (CGA). These periodic, interactive trainings provide an opportunity for nonprofits to learn more about how to effectively use the CGA when seeking grant funding for their initiatives.