When we talk about philanthropy infrastructure, the term can sound institutional. But at its heart, infrastructure is about people, relationships, knowledge, and organizations working together to make philanthropy stronger and more effective.

Philanos Board member, Nina Cohen, offers a compelling example of what that looks like in the real philanthropic world. NIna currently serves as Philanos Committee Co-Chair for Development and Strategic Partnerships.

A founding member of Impact100 South Jersey, Nina has long understood the power of collective giving to bring people together around a shared commitment to community. Through her leadership within her giving circle and now as a Philanos Board member, she has advanced strategies around grantmaking, resource development, inclusion, and organizational sustainability.

Nina also serves as Board Chair of Exponent Philanthropy, a national organization that for 30 years has supported, connected, and amplified the work of leanly staffed funders. Exponent Philanthropy provides its members with peer connections, practical resources, learning opportunities, and a collective voice - similar to the support that Philanos provides to Affiliates. “By building an inclusive community of informed funders, we foster effective collaborations and create lasting impact,” Nina commented.

This is an important philanthropic intersection.

Individual foundations, giving circles, and other funders do essential work in communities. But this work cannot be siloed. When organizations connect members to one another, help leaders learn from their peers, provide tools and knowledge, identify emerging issues, and create opportunities for collaboration - everyone is stronger.

This is philanthropy infrastructure.

Philanos plays that role within the collective giving movement. Through education, leadership development, peer learning, affinity groups, strategic resources, partnerships, and connections among more than 110 Philanos Affiliates, Philanos helps strengthen the organizations that are themselves investing in communities.

Nina’s leadership across Philanos and Exponent Philanthropy also illustrates something increasingly important: philanthropy infrastructure organizations are part of an interconnected ecosystem.

Collective giving organizations can learn from funders. Funders can learn from collective giving. Networks can share ideas, elevate different voices and build relationships across the sector. And the entire philanthropy ecosystem can respond more effectively to changing community needs.

For Nina, those connections are a natural extension of her belief in collective giving.

“Collective giving provides an opportunity to connect with and learn from women committed to making a difference in their communities. Through my participation in women’s collective giving, I have seen first-hand the benefits of working together and leveraging our resources and relationships for greater impact.” - Nina Cohen

This commitment to connect, learn, strengthen, and ultimately increase impact forms the heart of philanthropy infrastructure.

As Philanos continues to define its role not only as the leading network for women’s collective giving, but as a philanthropy infrastructure organization, leaders like Nina help demonstrate why that role matters. Strong communities need effective philanthropy - effective philanthropy needs strong organizations, networks, relationships, and leaders behind it.

Sometimes the most important investments in philanthropy are the ones that make all the other investments possible.