May
27
2026
The Leadership Funders Group (LFG), which is convened and facilitated by BMP, supports and connects funders who are committed to investing in, strengthening, and sustaining leadership as a pathway to a more just, equitable, vibrant world. Last week, the group gathered for its annual spring convening, co-hosted by the MacArthur Foundation, in Chicago. The week was rooted in navigating unprecedented attacks on funders’ communities and what their needs are, gathering practical tools and ideas to develop power to build the voice of their grantees, their leadership, as well as defenses against emerging threats, and cultivating inspiration to continue this work.
The start of the convening brought members together for greetings and reconnection. Our hosts at MacArthur Foundation coordinated an insightful and candid fireside chat with the foundation’s president, John Palfrey, facilitated by LFG Co-Chair Kaberi Banerjee Murthy. John provided us with deeply thoughtful remarks into the state of philanthropy and the roles foundations play in larger social movements. That conversation opened up the opportunity for members to reflect on their past year and what courage is needed now in philanthropy. A particularly poignant story shared by an LFG member was uplifting when discussing the ICE surge present in their city, and a nonprofit leader was brave in speaking up about the issues and the immediate needs their community was facing. Many chimed in that these aren’t conversations that are often uplifted in their workplaces, so they started ideating ways to keep this work going when back at home. Members of the group were then able to take additional time to explore the city and took a trip to Pilsen to visit the National Museum of Mexican Art along with an immersive mural tour that highlighted the contributions and importance Mexican people have had in Chicago.
On Day 2, the group traveled to the Bronzeville neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, and gathered at Little Black Pearl, a community-based nonprofit social enterprise hub . LFG members were greeted by Little Black Pearl’s founder, Monica Haslip. Monica showed us around the beautiful facilities and told the stories of the many young people she has mentored that have been through those doors through the years. The day was filled with colorful storytelling and conversations about how to show up holistically in this work. In a panel with many of the Leadership Funders Group members, panelists spoke in depth about the changes they have witnessed in the philanthropic sector over the years and what they hope to see in its future. Many folks highlighted the intricacies that women of color have to navigate in the sector and how folks can wield their privilege to help retain folks and thrive in the sector. One of the moments of joy and beauty LFG member and panelist Retha Robinson mentioned is being able to see the increased importance foundations are putting on funding leadership.
On Day 3, LFG heard from Carlos Nelson, president of Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation, and Luis Gutierrez, founder of Latinos Progresando. The two leaders shared their story of being in meetings together for years before finally connecting to co-create the Excellerator Fund. This initiative raised over $6 million to support Black and Mexican-led nonprofits across the Chicagoland area. They reflected on the lessons they learned from working together and encouraged folks in the room to find common ground with people they’re often in spaces with already and collaborate to build capacity. After hearing from so many guest speakers with such brilliant lessons, LFG attendees gave their closing reflections, excited to implement the lessons back home.
Huge thank you to our Leadership Funders Group members Jonathan VanderBrug and Tara Magner of the MacArthur Foundation. Additional gratitude to John Palfrey, Monica Haslip, Luis Gutierrez, and Carlos Nelson for taking the time to speak with us and offering your vision to help us all continue to figure out how to make the philanthropic sector a more welcoming and equitable place.