A lot has changed in Washington, D.C., with the election of a new Congress with new leadership, and a new presidential administration. The nonprofit sector continues to see increased scrutiny from both sides of the aisle, and major tax changes are likely to happen quickly. Philanthropy needs to be engaged in helping policymakers understand how philanthropy works and the efforts we are leading alongside communities. Join CMF, your Michigan philanthropy peers and D.C. insiders from Integer to discuss what challenges and opportunities lie ahead in 2025. This future-looking briefing and conversation will help equip Michigan philanthropy to engage in issues that matter to our sector and our communities.

The Green and Blue Network held a virtual discussion about health and environmental issues in Michigan. In this on-demand webinar, we learned from and engaged with leaders from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition and The Nature Conservancy.

The Safety Net work group, in partnership with the Governor's Office of Foundation Liaison and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, is hosting a virtual convening with leaders and learners across the state to hear from Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha and Luke Shaefer, Ph.D., about the Flint Rx Kids program. The program is leveraging Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and philanthropic support to guarantee an income every month for an infant's first year for all expectant families in the city of Flint. 

Jane Fran Morgan and Greg Matthews of JFM Consulting Group, Ashley René Lee of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, CMF Chief Policy Officer Regina Bell, and our event host Tanya Upthegrove Gregory of the Ruth Mott Foundation discuss the use of data to tell stories of change. 

Named one of TIME's "100 Most Influential People," Fortune's "50 Greatest Leaders" and Foreign Policy's "100 Leading Global Thinkers", Dr Katharine Hayhoe is helping us prepare for the ways climate change affects all of us.

With the influx of federal resources and state surplus, there is a tremendous opportunity for Michigan philanthropy to strengthen partnerships with government and community members to shape the allocation of public dollars. In this conversation, CMF and the Statewide Equity Fund Working Group connect with Angela Glover Blackwell, Founder in Residence at PolicyLink, to discuss insights gained from her work as a policy advocate, activist and social justice leader, learn more about PolicyLink's partnership with the Urban Institute in measuring equity impacts in federal policy and philanthropy's role in shaping the equitable outcome of public dollars.

CMF and our national colleagues, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR), hosted a conversation that provides funders with a baseline understanding of immigrant and refugee issues and insights into how they can support these communities beyond civic engagement efforts in the run-up to elections and readily and strategically allocate resources in response to post-election developments. 

CMF and the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project presented an interactive 3-hour workshop for a thorough discussion on making the case for trust-based philanthropy, including: 

• Talking points for getting the conversation started 
• Answers to the most frequently asked questions
• Ways to address tricky misperceptions 
• Opportunities to leverage insights and data from nonprofits to jumpstart change.

How visible and accessible should your family's philanthropy be to others? It's a classic question with multiple correct answers based on faith, family tradition, regulatory frameworks, strategy and many more factors. 

Join us for a session that brings foundations and nonprofits together as we spotlight the voices and experiences of real nonprofit and philanthropy leaders who are embracing trust-based practices to enhance their organizations' mission fulfillment.