The global economic downturn has had a big impact on foundations and donors everywhere, an effect that has rippled out to their grantees in many challenging ways. Grantmakers Without Borders’ ninth annual conference this June will bring together grantmakers and activists from the Global South and strive to serve the most urgent learning and networking needs of global grantmakers in these difficult economic times.

As is the tradition, the conference will cover a range of topics of interest to international grantmakers under two headings: Grantmaking Practice and Global Social Justice Issues. Plenaries and workshops will explore how funders can do as much – and maybe even more – with less. In this connection, conference topics will include successful models of donor collaboration, maximizing the impact of small grants, and strategies for reducing administrative expenses.

As bad as it seems, the global financial crisis may have a silver lining: the worldwide credit crunch has stalled a number of environmentally and socially damaging megaprojects, while the spread of unbridled consumerism has slowed, for example. The conference will explore how civil society might be able to take advantage of this unique economic moment to advance justice, equity and environmental sustainability.

Networking time will be expanded to allow participants to strengthen relationships that can be tapped into beyond the conference. Finally, the conference will highlight a funders’ guide to microfinance that Gw/oB expects to release this spring.

Grantmakers Without Borders’ 2009 conference, convening 8-10 June in Washington DC, is open to representatives from grantmaking organizations from around the world. Join us!

For more information
Contact Executive Director John Harvey at john@gwob.net  http://www.gwob.net