Learning Institutes

The EGA Learning Institutes are designed as “101 and 102 Sessions,” geared toward those new to an issue area or those who wish to delve deeper into funding strategies. The sessions are hosted by fellow funder affinity groups and are for funders only.

The cost of the EGA Learning Institutes is $75 ($100 after August 21), which includes the full day of workshops and meals.

Time: Sunday, September 21, 2008, 10:00am – 12:00pm

1- The New Paradigm of Health
With Grantmakers in Health and the Health and Environmental Funders Network
Health philanthropy increasingly is focusing not only on mainstay concerns such as health care but also on the broader societal determinants of health, including several issues squarely at the intersections of the environment and health.

Faith Mitchell, Vice President of Grantmakers In Health (GIH), will open this Institute with reflections on health philanthropy's evolving understanding of and strategies for improving the health of all people. Faith will also discuss environmental health issues from GIH's perspective.

Pete Myers, Jenifer Altman Foundation trustee and chief scientist at Environmental Health News, will provide a brief (10 minute) "Environmental Health Science 101" on the science base informing our new paradigm of health.

Kathy Sessions, Coordinator of the Health and Environmental Funders Network, will then facilitate an "updates and discussion" segment, inviting funder leaders from several collaborative efforts at the intersections of health and environment to share updates with environmental colleagues and discuss collaborative opportunities with Institute participants in areas including:

• Healthy eating and active living: Bringing health concerns over physical fitness and obesity together with sustainable agriculture and land use;
• Taking on toxics: Bringing health affected groups and health care professionals together with anti-toxics advocates; and
• Equity and inequity: building strategic partnerships among funders concerned with racism, poverty, environmental justice and health disparities.

2- Inclusiveness in Grantmaking
With Angela Park from Diversity Matters
The 2008 Inclusive Practices Institute will connect grantmakers who want to further build their leadership in grounding environmental progress in racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. During the two-hour Institute, participants will learn from real world examples of how foundations are integrating this work throughout policies, practices, and grantmaking. The interactive session will build on previous Institutes by providing opportunities for learning and awareness as a foundation for skillful, effective action at the individual and organizational levels for improving strategies and impact, and to address structural and movement-wide issues.

3- Across the Pond: European Environmental Grantmaking in Action
With the European Foundation Center (EFC)
A “101 session” for EGA members who are interested in learning more about the structures of European philanthropy; the exciting changes happening in Brussels as they might impact US philanthropic strategies and background on EFC and its initiatives.  

This institute will be facilitated by Chet Tchozewski, President, Global Greengrants Fund.

Time: Sunday, September 21, 2008, 2:00pm – 4:00pm

4- Small Foundations and Climate Change
With the EGA Small Foundations Group
Focuses on small foundations’ distinct role within environmental philanthropy, with an emphasis on funding climate-related activities.

5- The Other Taboo: Talking About Class: A Workshop for Young People in Philanthropy
With Resource Generation, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy and the Third Wave Foundation
Some grantmakers are professionals, paid to help give away someone else’s money, whereas other grantmakers are giving from their own personal or family wealth. Ignoring this reality can lead to power and class dynamics detrimental to healthy and collaborative grantmaking. This institute is a rare opportunity for honest dialogue about the taboo subject of class and its intersections, in the context of our work together as environmental grantmakers.
This workshop is open to anyone age 35 and under.

6- Green Beyond Grants: Creating a Sustainability Policy Statement at Your Foundation
With the EGA Green Practices Project
Learn the benefits of implementing sustainability practices in foundations’ operations, including a carbon policy. This institute will provide hands-on guidance to get started, especially through the introduction of the new Green Beyond Grants Vol. II:  Cutting Carbon publication.