I’ve been listening: listening to our members, to their visions for their foundations, the challenges they face on multiple levels, the seemingly insurmountable needs in their communities, and their passion to see sustainable change.

I’ve been listening: to what connected our members to us in the first place and what has kept them renewing their membership, to the wonderful stories of foundation collaboration, to the legacy of foundations and to new days ahead, and to lessons learned and leadership honed by engaging with the community of Philanthropy Southwest.

I’ve been listening: to how our membership community can grow to better foster trusted relationships, to build a broad and robust professional learning exchange that maximizes innovative philanthropy and peer-to-peer learning, to how we can tailor professional development for trustees, executives, and foundation staff that is accessible and relevant, and to the power of one united Southwestern voice to promote and defend the cause of philanthropy at all levels.

I’ve been listening and I’ve been moved: moved to lead Philanthropy Southwest into a future inspired by our members’ commitment to the work of philanthropy. During the last six months of taking on this responsibility to lead Philanthropy Southwest, I have traveled around our region on a listening tour to learn what our members most need from us as an association. Incorporating your feedback and working with the board of directors and our strategic planning committee, we have built upon our 18-month long assessment as a philanthropic service organization to finalize the overall strategy for our future direction, and the three to five year plan to implement it.

In light of this strategic work, the PSW team is key to ensure the right resources and talent are behind these critical elements of professional learning, member resources, membership growth, and our public policy work. To that end I am excited to announce Hillary Evans as the vice president of professional learning and public policy and Lauren Haskins promoted to a newly designed position of vice president of membership and partnerships. Join me in welcoming Hillary to the Philanthropy Southwest community and congratulating Lauren on her promotion!

Finally, we are thrilled to launch our new website that mirrors the re-imagined Philanthropy Southwest, and welcome you to Colorado Springs on October 16^th to experience, learn, network, and move forward together for a thriving Southwestern U.S.!
 
My best,
 
Tony J. Fundaro
Chief Executive Officer
Philanthropy Southwest