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In the face of profound political and societal challenges, philanthropy is called to lead boldly, moving beyond reactive and defensive strategies toward a proactive, equity-driven approach. At NCG's 2025 Annual Conference, "Becoming Our Vision," we will collectively explore how philanthropy can align its practices to support communities in defining and realizing their own futures.

We can only act on what we can imagine. As philanthropy is called to meet this moment, we need to expand our imagination. How do we not imagine philanthropy as it is, but what it could be at its best? Within philanthropy we need practices, tools, and ways of being that are in service to resourcing freedom and equity. As those mobilizing resources, we must stay steadfast in imagining and co-creating generative pathways to a more equitable future. At NCG's 2024 Annual Conference, we will offer space to conspire, imagine, and act on ushering in new possibilities.

In California, a state where 27% of residents are foreign born and approximately 50% of California children have one non-citizen parent, the immigrant justice movement has worked tirelessly over two decades to secure victories at the city, county, and state levels. This includes Medi-Cal coverage expansion for undocumented immigrants, the CA Dream Act, immigration legal services for UC and community college students, the California Values Act (SB54) – our statewide sanctuary law – and the TRUST and TRUTH Acts, bringing transparency and accountability to how local law enforcement interacts with federal immigration enforcement efforts. These accomplishments have established California as a leader on immigration, serving as a model for other efforts across the country—and a target for federal- level attacks that threaten these hard-fought victories. 

Change starts from within. But where do you begin?

This final session will equip philanthropy professionals with practical tools to initiate reporting reform in their organizations. We’ll discuss how to identify key entry points for change, engage internal champions, and build momentum for a shift toward learning-centered reporting.

The Trump Administration has already had a significant impact on climate adaptation & disaster resilience priorities and funding availability in California. The Federal Administration has completely frozen or outright cancelled large funding programs like the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, and the Community Change Grants Program, and we have recently seen the criminalization of awarded applicants for these programs. The President has also signaled that he will dismantle the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, which capitalizes community development projects across the country in communities not well served by large banks. This comes at a time when communities are facing repetitive climate-driven disasters and are fighting for the resources they need to develop, plan, and implement community-led strategies for resilience.

Who Holds the Mic? How can funders redesign reporting to better support learning and center grantee voices in reporting for impact. This session will dive into five years of data collection on reporting practices, examining emerging trends and practical pathways for change.

Participants will hear from funders and nonprofit leaders about their experiences moving away from extractive reporting models and toward collaborative, efficient, and learning-driven approaches. We’ll explore the intersection of reporting, AI tools, and continuous improvement, offering tangible strategies to reshape grantmaking for impact.