It’s been an exciting and busy summer at Philanthropy Southwest! As we continue to work through our strategy sessions and build momentum towards the future, we want to keep you, our engaged network of members and friends, informed of our progress.
This summer our board has been working closely with an outside consulting firm to engage our membership in the question: What do YOU want to see from Philanthropy Southwest in the months, years, and decades to come? To do this, we created a survey to gather critical feedback from both members and former members about our strategic path forward and our search for a new leader. As we now begin the process of analyzing the results, we are encouraged by the commitment and enthusiasm our members have expressed about how we – the first association of grantmakers in the country – can pivot and evolve into an even more vibrant network of funders. Stay tuned – there will be more on this coming soon.
I also hope you all will join us in Galveston in November for our 70th Annual Conference. We are excited to offer member-designed sessions and a dedicated community foundation track, as well as many interesting site visits and entertaining special events, including Trick or Treat with a Galveston Twist (10/31), a progressive reception and tour at three Galveston mansions: Bishop's Palace, Open Gates, and Moody Mansion, and our 70th Anniversary Celebration (11/2) at the Moody Gardens Aquarium. With hundreds of grantmakers on one island, the conference promises to be an opportunity for learning, celebration, and further engagement on new directions.
Philanthropy Southwest is, at our core, about serving our member foundations and helping them to engage in increasingly effective and evolving philanthropy. Thank you to all who are helping inform our vision for a thriving future.
Amy M. Meadows
Board President, Philanthropy Southwest
President, Parks for Downtown Dallas