PEXforum 2024, co-hosted with Acri and Assifero, brought together philanthropy infrastructure professionals from all over Europe. From problem-solving to exploring, from knowing to unlearning, from change-making to change-seeking: how can we embrace the new roles of philanthropy infrastructure? These were the key questions for participants at PEXforum to explore the multiple roles of philanthropy infrastructure.

Interview

Community Foundations of Canada on innovation and experimentation

Michelle Baldwin and Tim Draimin of Community Foundations of Canada

At PEX Forum 2024, community members hosted intimate group conversations to uncover the uncertainties and dilemmas that sit with them and their communities, encouraging divergence and exploration. One of these discussions was led by Michelle Baldwin and Tim Draimin of Community Foundations of Canada on secondary operating systems for innovation. We spoke to Michelle and Tim to delve deeper into how innovation and experimentation could impact philanthropy infrastructure. Read more…

Reader’s poll winner

PEX 2024: Future literacy, abolition, and espressos

Kit Muirhead, Alliance magazine

At the beginning of the first session, Alina and Hana posed one key question: how do we practice new paradigms in philanthropy?

This question allowed me to settle a little deeper into my seat. It was clear that most people in attendance agreed that traditional philanthropy models are broken – that if we are hoping to create real solutions for today’s interlinked climate, social and political crises, we will have to drive a paradigm shift, one that challenges our assumptions and allows us to collectively re-imagine the way we do our work. But how do we get there? Read more…

Reflection from delegates and speakers

From academic to aspiring network leader

Jane Wei-Skillern, Senior Fellow at the Center for Social Sector Leadership, Haas School of Business at University of California

I am a rather unusual academic. Rather than pursue tenure, I have always prioritised research that could help leaders achieve greater impact. Yet, at many points throughout my career, I have often doubted whether I was on the right track.

Currently, I am a Senior Fellow based at the Center for Social Sector Leadership at UC Berkeley who studies social impact networks. The main question my research seeks to answer is “What are the values and leadership approach that enable networks to achieve impact far greater than the sum of their individual parts?” Read more…

Exploring the future of philanthropy as a community

Janna Heegardt is a working student at #VertrauenMachtWirkung, Germany.

On the last afternoon of the PEX forum, we were asked to gather the gifts that we contribute to the community. In my group, we came up with ‘curiosity’, ‘creating brave spaces’ and ‘being able to give and receive’.

These values perfectly sum up my first experience in-person with the PEX community. They shaped a space which made it possible to be vulnerable, question held beliefs and acknowledge the privileged position that usually comes with being part of the philanthropic sector. Read more…

Towards trust and transformation: Insights from PEX Forum 2024

Caroline Suozzi is the Thought Leadership and Content Manager at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

The spirited atmosphere at the PEX Forum 2024 in Rome, Italy had a unique energy that set the stage for thoughtful reflection, forward-looking discussions, and introspection alike.

Beyond the engaging panels highlighting emerging trends, networking opportunities, and innovative approaches, there was a palpable sense of anticipation regarding the future direction of the initiative. Participants were deeply engaged in conversations about the role PEX can play in the philanthropy sector. Read more…

Further reading

What’s possible when infrastructure has infrastructure? PEX as a container to practice the future of philanthropy

Against the backdrop of unfolding multiple crises, rapid developments in the sector, and the direct transition associated with the host organisation of the PEXcommunity (in 2022, Dafne and EFC converged to form Philea), we committed to an evaluation process to explore the added value of PEX to its community and the philanthropy ecosystem. We heard clear and loud: the shared narrative that brings the community together is philanthropy needs to change. The motivation that drives PEX is collective hope that meaningful change can be realised through the power of community – by activating our fractal agency, aligning on our values and creating multiplier effects across thematic and geographic boundaries.