What we are Learning from the AMPT Nonprofit Convening
Can we actually build authentic relationships between people who lead nonprofit organizations and those who work in philanthropic institutions? What can we accomplish together when we can acknowledge the human being behind the organization, role, and title?
These are the questions that challenged AMPT’s Advisory Council and led to last years inaugural AMPT Nonprofit Convening.
In line with the values of AMPT, the Advisory Council created a space that brought together the nonprofit and philanthropy communities of Chicago in an effort to foster more intentional and authentic relationship building. A panel discussion, small group sessions, and community-building opportunities were used as anchors to generate joyful engagement and work together to make real change for our Black and Latine leaders in Chicago’s nonprofits.
The panel featured nonprofit leaders who were members of the inaugural Antiracist Restorative Practice Cohort at AMPT: Antonio Santos, co-founder and Executive Director of Gage Park Latinx Council and La’Keisha Gray-Sewell, founder and Executive Director of Girls Like Me Project, Inc.
The panel also featured two members of the philanthropic community with close ties to the formation of AMPT: Frank Baiochhi, Executive Director of the Hunter Family Foundation and Heather Parish, Executive Director of the Albert Pick, Jr. Fund.
But what have we taken away from this Convening?
We need more opportunities to build authentic relationships.
Let’s replicate events like the convening that foster authentic relationship building
Create more room for mutual accountability between nonprofits and philanthropy
Hold each other to standards with love and grace if we are to be in this together
Be authentic in our relationships and recognize that there are some tables that you do not want to be at; focus on those you do.
Create opportunities for nonprofits and philanthropy to meet without expectations
Question why you trust who you trust
Grantmaking needs to Evolve.
Nonprofits called for philanthropy to provide honest, constructive, real-time feedback on grant proposals, including providing more information on that the funder is actually looking for and more transparency, with more knowledge and resource sharing ( even if you cannot fund the nonprofit make introductions to other funders)
Make room for a more efficient grant process, with faster response times and a higher conversion of requests
Shift away from lengthy written requirements toward videos and conversations
Use AMPT as a conduit to connect nonprofits with funders
Provide flexibility in funding to allow the work to continue despite obstacles
Flip the “discovery role” from nonprofits to funders so that it is philanthropy who reaches out to the nonprofits
Build organizational relationships so that funding does not go away when individuals leave
Nonprofits are seeking more awareness and access to the world of philanthropy through open houses and meet and greets
The Decision Makers are MIAMore philanthropic decision makers need to be in spaces like the Nonprofit Convening
Nonprofits were curious about how to build relationships at the foundation’s board level
There is a desire to change foundation board culture
Funders with decision-making power need to participate in community, not just visit and observe
Are the questions that philanthropy is asking that same that the community is seeking to answer?
The convening was held in May 2023 in the Nichols Tower in the westside community of North Lawndale in Chicago. Nonprofit leaders from Chicago’s community-based organizations like Dream Academy Foundation, Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project, Telpochcalli Community Education Project, and Railroad Tracks Music Academy joined members of philanthropic institutions like Chicago Community Trust, Circle of Service Foundation, Paul and M Angell Family Foundation and the Polk Brothers Foundation, to name a few.
What people said about their experience at the Inaugural Nonprofit Convening:
“This experience really made me more invested in supporting work that builds relationships between small nonprofits and donors. For a while, I’ve felt very alone and uncomfortable with building donor relationships because the environments where we are expected to do that contrast with my nature as an introvert. This event gave the intimacy and relaxed temperament that I need to build organic and trusting relationships. I think that’s powerful and can function as a gateway to evolving the way that we view impact and leadership in others.”
“Just being in the room and being able to talk to people and having people randomly talk to me. This is definitely needed in the nonprofit world. A merging of the executives and philanthropists.”
“I think it was a terrific first conversation. I also think it is important that this group of people meet together again for a next step, or else it will feel like it was a good conversation but didn't change anything. (A larger group could be included, but the anti-racist cohort that led this along with the funders who attended would be good.) It was a good opportunity for funders to hear from nonprofit leaders about how we can improve our relationships and make things easier for them. It would be great if funders could also share some information back.”
What we plan to do next
At AMPT, we are committed to strengthening the organizational health and support long-term development of small nonprofits on Chicago’s west and south sides while prioritizing Black- and Latine-led community organizations. Simultaneously, AMPT is working to transform philanthropy by addressing systemic racial inequities and serving as a model for anti-racist systems and processes.
We partner with Black and Latine-led, -serving and -owned organizations to build their power and capacity and challenge organizations and individuals that generate, hold, control, distribute, manage and allocate resources. Our vision is to have significant, sustained investment in Chicago’s Black and Latine communities.
We are looking forward to creating more spaces to hold the complexity of building authentic relationships in our nonprofit and philanthropic landscape. As we move beyond the transactional nature of funding the life-saving work of grassroots organizations, we invite you to remain connected with us and join us in this journey to build capacity in community.
AMPT is happy to share we will be having our 2nd Nonprofit Convening May 10th. If you’d like to join us for AMPT’s 2nd Annual Nonprofit Convening, you can email Ana Agarrat at ana@amptchicago.org.