In honor of its 10th anniversary, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy has just completed an assessment of its impact on the field of philanthropy. Kris Putnam-Walkerly, President of Putnam Community Investment Consulting completed the study and wrote a post about the results for the Philanthropy 411 blog. From Kris:
Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) is an affinity group of the Council on Foundations. Its mission is to develop extraordinary new leaders to enhance organized philanthropy and its impact on communities. EPIP released the findings of it’s 2011 Impact Assessment, in conjunction with its 10th anniversary and national conference held in Philadelphia. Below we share 7 key findings about how EPIP has provided support, opportunity, and leadership development for emerging leaders in philanthropy.
1) Emerging leaders have benefited from EPIP’s efforts to connect new and experienced leaders in philanthropy. Almost all survey respondents (92%) reported that they have personally experienced EPIP’s efforts to facilitate generational change, primarily by participating in forums and events that bring together established and emerging leaders in philanthropy.
2) EPIP members value peer learning and networks gained through EPIP. Two-thirds (64%) of members surveyed reported that as a result of relationships they developed through EPIP, they are participating in new professional development activities. Half (50%–54%) have met people they can turn to for help in performing their jobs well and regarding being underrepresented in the field.
“I’ve gotten to know so many different people in the field through EPIP. EPIP provides an amazing platform and network to new people in the field, irrespective of age.” — Rohit Burman, Director of the Culture and Public Broadcasting Program at the Metlife Foundation
3) EPIP supports leadership development early in careers. Many members interviewed described how EPIP provided unique venues to learn, practice, and advance their leadership early in their careers. This included opportunities to propose and lead sessions at conferences, plan events, serve on steering committees, and lead chapters. Senior philanthropy leaders also noted that EPIP provides an important “alternative route to high engagement” for emerging leaders.
“EPIP has done a lot to strengthen a pipeline of leaders into and moving up through philanthropy by giving people mentoring opportunities, confidence boosters, and the chance to develop skills like serving on boards, public speaking, or social justice thinking.” — Caroline Altman Smith, Program Officer, The Kresge Foundation
4) Participants use the knowledge, skills, and networks developed through EPIP to improve their job performance. 70% of all survey respondents who had been involved in EPIP longer than one year said that as a result of their involvement in EPIP they had established new professional relationships that have been beneficial to their work. Half (56%) described positive changes at their jobs as a result of their involvement in EPIP, including now seeing themselves as leaders in their field (26%) and improving their job performance (22%).
“We moved to a simpler grant process after I attended an EPIP conference, and that has improved our relationship with grantseekers. — Survey respondent
Read the rest of the findings here.
How has EPIP strengthened your philanthropic career?