2017 Forum Annual Conference - San Francisco, CA | FORUM OF REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS OF GRANTMAKERS | 17 July 2017 | Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

The Forum’s 2017 Annual Conference will be the nation’s largest gathering of the CEOs and staff of regional and national philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs) in the field.

#ForumCon17 will bring together the leadership and staff of all organizations serving the nation’s philanthropic sector, including regional philanthropy-serving organizations (i.e. regional philanthropy associations) as well as national philanthropy-serving organizations, primarily issue-based, identity-based and practice-based national affinity groups. It’s the only conference where we can delve into our unique role as CEOs and staff of regional and national PSOs, connect with others in similar roles, and explore how we can work together to increase philanthropy’s impact.

The conference will focus on two major themes: advancing racial equity, diversity and inclusion in philanthropy, and the role for PSOs in this work, and advancing collaboration and partnership among PSOs and the broader philanthropic sector. Conference sessions will also provide many opportunities for deep skill-building in the areas of highest importance to PSOs, with plenty of time for meaningful peer-to-peer networking and interaction.

Opening Keynote:
Dr. David R. Williams
Our opening keynote speaker will explain why race and ethnicity matter so profoundly when addressing issues of equity.

Keynote: Dr. Robert K. Ross
Dr. Ross will share his thoughts on the current state of the philanthropic sector, his work at TCE and his philanthropic journey.

Peter Nicks
Join us for a special conversation with Peter Nicks, the director, producer and cinematographer of “The Force,” for which Nicks won the 2017 Sundance Film Festival documentary prize for Best Director.

Closing Keynote: Lateefah Simon
Lateefah Simon, President of the Oakland-based Akonadi Foundation, will end the conference on an inspiring note with a closing keynote presentation that will bring together the conference’s main themes and offer her own perspective on how to take what we’ve learned at the conference and move forward with our work.

Gold Level:
health happens here
hewlett foundation
W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Silver Level:
The Wallace Foundation
The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Bronze Level:
The California Wellness Foundation
FLUXX Igniting your mission
Knight Foundation
Ring Central
Think Shout