The Value of Philanos Affinity Groups:
Empowering Collective Giving Through Connection and Knowledge
Philanos Affinity Groups allow members to learn, collaborate, and share strategies for amplifying their impact. Each group focuses on a distinct aspect of a giving circle, from membership retention to communications and technology. These sessions provide insights and foster connections among affiliates, reinforcing the collective giving movement's strength and sustainability.
Our Affinity Groups address the unique challenges that collective giving organizations face. They serve as an incubator for innovation, offering tools and ideas that affiliates can immediately implement. For instance, a Membership Roundtable discussion might explore best practices for retaining members, while a Tech Talk session could introduce cutting-edge tools for grants management. These groups enhance the operational efficiency of giving circles and strengthen the bonds among members, creating a supportive community dedicated to social impact.
In 2024, Philanos’ 5 Affinity Groups demonstrated their broad reach and impact:
- 11 Meetings Scheduled across Membership Roundtable, Comms Club, Tech Talk, Grantmakers, and Staff Chat sessions.
- Registrants: Averaged over 40 participants per session, with peaks of up to 63 registrants.
- Attendees: Sessions consistently attracted 13-41 attendees.
- Recorded Views: High engagement continued post-session, with recordings drawing up to 76 additional views.
- There were many takeaways from this year’s programs.
Membership Roundtable:
- Topics included onboarding, retention strategies, and listening to members through surveys and Zoom sessions.
- Highlighted events like “Membertini” and “Meet & Mingle” bridged social engagement with grantee presentations.
Comms Club:
- Explored blogging, photo management, and communication strategies for surveys and focus groups.
- Emphasized integrating blogs into overall communication plans to enhance storytelling and visibility.
Tech Talk:
- Provided guidance on tech tools for membership management, grant tracking, and artificial intelligence applications.
- Topics like outgrowing website capabilities addressed critical operational pain points.
Grantmakers:
- Getting the word out to nonprofits about grant opportunities
- Assisting nonprofits with application
- Streamlining the grant process for the nonprofits
Staff Chat:
- Current trending issues that are engaging members
- The importance of staff only time to the organization's overall health, how to set that time aside
- Ensuring DEI permeates daily work and overall organizational culture through events, grants, speakers, and more
Philanos Affinity connects affiliates across the country through these sessions, enabling giving circles to grow, adapt, and make an even greater impact in their communities.
