Greater Good Blog

Over the past year, the world has changed. Every industry has been disrupted, democracy has been challenged in unprecedented ways, centuries of racial injustice have been brought into new focus, and we have all had to learn anew how to connect—from behind screens, through masks, and despite disinformation.

We now have a chance to turn a corner. If we can learn the right lessons, philanthropy has a unique opportunity to redefine itself, strengthen the social sector in which it operates, and help create a better future. With that goal in mind, Arabella Advisors is launching a series of virtual convenings, conversations, and publications focused on the future of the social sector and philanthropy’s role in it. Over the coming weeks and months, we will bring together community leaders, experts, and change makers to explore: 

• What comes next for philanthropy in the wake of 2020’s society-wide displacements 
• The potential—and need—to renew and reinvigorate the social contract 
• What should (and shouldn’t) be philanthropy’s roles in relation to government and the private sector 
• How philanthropy can go well beyond traditional grant making to increase equity and help build an economy for all 

To kick off the series, we invite you to join us for a virtual conversation: 

“2020: What Have We Learned from Shifts in Society and Philanthropy?”
February 18, 2020 at 1 p.m. ET

The conversation will feature Nwamaka Agbo and Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson  in discussion with Sampriti Ganguli. Overarching questions will include: 

• Which of 2020’s watershed events or issues will have the most impact on the future of philanthropy? 
• How will those events or issues transform or change the role of philanthropy in civil society? 
• How can philanthropy help even the playing field so that all Americans can benefit from capitalism and democracy? 

Miss the event, but want to listen to the conversation? Check out the recording here.

 

More on our featured speakers: 

Nwamaka Agbo is the CEO of the Kataly Foundation and managing director of the Restorative Economies Fund. With a background in community organizing, electoral campaigns, policy, and advocacy work on racial, social, and environmental justice issues, Nwamaka is deeply committed to supporting projects that build resilient, healthy, and self-determined communities rooted in shared prosperity. She has served as a fellow for the Center for Economic Democracy and the Movement Strategy Center. She also serves on the boards of Thousand Currents, Restore Oakland, Inc., and Resource Generation. 

 

Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson is the co-executive director at Highlander Research and Education Center. She is a long-time activist who has done work in movements fighting for workers, for reproductive justice, for LGBTQUIA+ folks, for environmental justice, and more. Ash-Lee is also an active participant in the Movement for Black Lives and a member of the board of directors for the Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity. 

 

Sampriti Ganguli is Arabella Advisors’ chief executive officer, a role she’s held for the past 5 years.  She has authored more than twenty major papers on topics ranging from risk and talent management to collaboration, benchmarking, and technology adoption. Sampriti is the recipient of the Corporate Trailblazer Award from the National Black MBA Association in recognition of her focus on increasing diversity in the workplace, and she received a 2016 Brava Award from SmartCEO magazine for her focus on women and leadership in the charitable sector.  She lives in Washington DC with her two sons and her husband.