The philanthropic sector faced massive shifts over the past two years. The pandemic prompted some funders to increase payouts and loosen — or entirely lift — grant restrictions, while the racial reckoning forced many to confront the imminent need to shift power dynamics, increase internal diversity, and act with intention to support organizations led by and serving people of color.

Maryland Philanthropy Network has joined Maryland Nonprofits and our colleagues across Maryland in responding to a call for ideas from the State for how the budget surplus should be allocated. MPN was part of a group of 170 practitioners and partners that came together to create a joint appeal the result of which is this letter to the Governor. Together, we urge the State to dedicate $1 billion of the projected budget surplus for targeted relief, and that $500 million of this commitment should continue in future budgets to assure sustainability and for more equitable disbursement of state resources in partnership with the social purpose sector.

On October 3rd, United Philanthropy Forum’s network of philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs) came together for an annual Philanthropy + Policy Institute to share the political forecast, strategies for engaging with a new federal administration, how best to navigate the regulatory process, the role of philanthropy in preparing for Census 2030, and a special focus on the power of collaboration between state governments and philanthropy through public/private partnerships.