Fellow Giving Institute Members:

I know you are all busy with client activity these days. The market is very strong for our services and things can get quite hectic toward the end of the calendar year. Here are some observations and updates for you all:

Coming through the recent fall board meetings and sitting in on our educational offerings, I am struck by how we have all innovated our way through the pandemic. We are successfully adapting to hybrid/remote work, helping our clients pivot their case for support and their fundraising strategies and working to keep our employees engaged and retained. I hope you feel, as I do, that The Giving Institute has helped you in these matters. The value of our membership is through our collegiality and our educational programs, as well as our shared commitment to strengthen the world of generosity. Thank you for everything you are all doing to make The Giving Institute a valuable enterprise.

Please note the upcoming Generosity Commission (GC) webinar, which will take place Thursday, December 16 at 12:00pm EST/11:00am CST/9:00 am PST. This will be an engaging panel discussion covering the evolution of the GC, its current membership, the strategic outlook for the GC and the research it is commissioning. Our goal is to give members an inside look at the GC so they can be informed when speaking with clients and other stakeholders. There will also be opportunities to get involved in the GC. Please make this webinar available to all your colleagues – it is free. Thank you to our own Ted Grossnickle, GC member and CEO of Points of Light Natalye Paquin and GC Chair and Vice President of the Aspen Institute Jane Wales for providing this opportunity to GI members.

The Giving Institute DEI Committee is retaining The Mousai Group to create a DEI change framework for The Giving Institute. This will be an exciting and helpful step in our journey toward greater diversity, equity and inclusion in GI and its member firms. The firm is led by Dr. Gloria Chambers, Ph.D. This decision is the result of a disciplined process, including issuing an RFP to member recommended organizations. Thanks to the DEI committee for its ongoing work.

Please hold March 10-11 for our next board meeting and committee meetings. The date is still tentative, so look for confirmation soon. You will recall we did a board member survey to get input on this meeting, and the response strongly favored an in-person meeting. We are looking to hold the meeting in Phoenix. Stay tuned.

Please accept my best wishes for a happy holiday season to you and your families. We have many different constructs of families and many ways that we celebrate the holiday season. I wish you happiness and joy in your holiday experience. Thank you for your involvement in The Giving Institute!