How can family foundations and donor-advised funds incorporate the voice of those most affected by their grantmaking? How are peer Network Members applying participatory practices to their work?
Program Description:
Many grantmakers—including family foundations and donor-advised funds—are exploring how to more deeply listen to the communities most impacted by their funds. One model – “participatory” or “community-led” philanthropy – has re-emerged as a useful structure to support these intentions.
At this Family Foundation & Donor-Advised Network Roundtable, we will briefly review the model and then will learn from one peer family foundation - Neighbor Company - as they share their journey toward implementing participatory practices. We will also include time to discuss the opportunities and challenges with adopting participatory practices within a family philanthropy context.
Featured Speakers
Kerri Lopez-Howell, MA - Executive Director, Neighbor Company
Kerri Lopez-Howell currently serves as the Executive Director of Neighbor Company for the Herschend Family. During her tenure as CEO at Sunnyside Foundation in Tuscon, AZ, she significantly expanded grantmaking capabilities, diversifying funders, and led the grassroots agency into a million-dollar funding vehicle for the southside of Tuscon. Notably, she spearheaded the Mayor of Tuscon's Immigrant Relief Fund & Pima County's Eviction Rental Assistance Program mobilizing community organizations to effectly distribute $3.5 million in assistance to thousands of families during the COVID-19 crisis.
Recognized for her expertise in NGO/municipality partnerships, Kerri has spoken on panels for organizations like the San Diego Immigrant Affairs Office and Cities 4 Action. Her strategic leadership has been instrumental in showcasing how community-based grantmaking and participatory strategies can efficiently allocate dollars to those most affected by the social problems of our time.
Today, she continues to contribute as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Arizona, serves on boards such as Social Venture Partners Tuscon, and consults with non-profit agencies across Southern Arizona. Kerri's accolades include being named a 2020 Tuscon 40 under 40, 2021 Fellow of Communities for Philanthropic Justice, COX Communications Latina Leader Recipient, and a 21/64 Advisory of Color Fellow in 2022.
Anne E. McGregor - Family Member and Board Chair, Neighbor Company and PhilMO Family Foundation & Donor-Advised Fund Network Member-Advisor
Anne E. McGregor is a third-generation owner of Herschend Family Entertainment, an entertainment outlet dedicated to creating and sustaining welcoming destinations for family adventure, fun, and memory-making. Anne E. serves as the chair of the Herschend Family's philanthropic investment arm, the Neighbor Company, which offers a unique and innovative way to underscore the culture of the family while working to affect positive change in the world. As chairperson, her primary role is to work with family members in directing and facilitating charitable investments and to oversee the entirety of Herschend Enterprises charitable gifts. She is also active in her community of Branson and southwest Missouri, serving on area boards including the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and the Silver Dollar City Foundation.
Supplementary Resources:
Prior to the Roundtable, you may find it helpful to access the recording and other resources from PhilMO's March 13 program, "Participatry Grantmaking: (Re)Connecting with the Model in our Current Landscape."
If you are a Missouri Family Foundation or Donor-Advised Fund who is not currently a Philanthropy Missouri Member, please contact amy@philmo.org to be registered for this program.