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2025 Learning Series Recap + Next Steps
In 2025, PFS hosted a series of virtual learning sessions as part of our commitment to keeping our clients and trusted partners informed and strategically positioned to support organizations working on the frontlines of democracy, civil society, and community well-being. As many nonprofit organizations face decreased federal support and an increasingly challenging policy environment, these conversations highlighted both the risks facing the sector and the opportunities for philanthropies to respond to meet this moment.
Below is a recap of the conservations and resources shared throughout the series:
SAFEGUARDING CIVIL SOCIETY
Joe Goldman, Democracy Fund
March 2025
To kick off our learning series, PFS partnered with the Democracy Fund to host a webinar with President Joe Goldman focused on philanthropy’s role in protecting democratic institutions and strengthening civil society. Joe discussed how support can help sustain the infrastructure of democracy — investing in independent journalism, protecting free and fair elections, and strengthening civic participation. In addition, Joe shared a handful of organizations working to defend the safety of vulnerable communities and organizations, protect against abuses of power, and build power and broaden coalitions. Read more >>
PROTECTING THE NONPROFIT SECTOR
Diane Yentel, National Council of Nonprofits
Geoff Green, CalNonprofits
May 2025
Next, we welcomed President & CEO of National Council of Nonprofits Diane Yentel and CEO of CalNonprofits Geoff Green to discuss both national and state-level policy threats facing the nonprofit sector and how philanthropy can respond collectively. Diane and Geoff outlined a range of challenges, from restrictive legislative proposals to broader narratives that undermine trust, to emphasize the need for unified advocacy, immediate support, and increased philanthropic investments. Participants left with actionable steps they could implement across their giving to show up in meaningful ways. Read more >>
MEETING THE MOMENT: IMMIGRATION POLICY & COMMUNITY IMPACT
Alison Kamhi, Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
Monique Berlanga, Centro Legal de la Raza
May 2025
We partnered with Alison Kamhi, Legal Program Director at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), and Monique Berlanga, Executive Director at Centro Legal de la Raza, for our next learning series webinar focused on the evolving impact of immigration policy across the country and here in the Bay Area. Each spoke about the quickly evolving legal and policy environment affecting immigrant families and the increased demand for legal services, community education, and direct support. Read more >>
COURAGE CALLS US: FUNDING NONPARTISAN EFFORTS TO DEFEND DEMOCRACY
Jenny Flanagan, Moxie Fund
July 2025
PFS hosted Jenny Flanagan, Co-Director of the Moxie Fund, which serves as the sponsor of the Courage Calls Us campaign, to explore the funding landscape for nonprofit initiatives working to defend civil society, the law, and free and fair elections. Jenny discussed how philanthropy can be a lever to support voter access initiatives, election protection programs, and organizations working to counter threats to democratic processes. Read more >>
SUPPORTING LGBTQ+ YOUTH IN A CHALLENGING MOMENT
Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, GLSEN
Gael Isaiah Lala-Chávez, LYRIC
September 2025
To wrap up our learning series, we heard from Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, Executive Director of GLSEN, and Gael Isaiah Lala-Chávez, Executive Director of LYRIC, about the current landscape for supporting LGBTQ+ youth in this pivotal and deeply challenging moment. The discussion emphasized the growing number of legislative and cultural challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth, and emphasized the importance of providing safe environments, affirming education policies, and supporting youth-centered community programs that foster belonging and resilience. Read more >>
Below is a recap of the conservations and resources shared throughout the series:
SAFEGUARDING CIVIL SOCIETY
Joe Goldman, Democracy Fund
March 2025
To kick off our learning series, PFS partnered with the Democracy Fund to host a webinar with President Joe Goldman focused on philanthropy’s role in protecting democratic institutions and strengthening civil society. Joe discussed how support can help sustain the infrastructure of democracy — investing in independent journalism, protecting free and fair elections, and strengthening civic participation. In addition, Joe shared a handful of organizations working to defend the safety of vulnerable communities and organizations, protect against abuses of power, and build power and broaden coalitions. Read more >>
PROTECTING THE NONPROFIT SECTOR
Diane Yentel, National Council of Nonprofits
Geoff Green, CalNonprofits
May 2025
Next, we welcomed President & CEO of National Council of Nonprofits Diane Yentel and CEO of CalNonprofits Geoff Green to discuss both national and state-level policy threats facing the nonprofit sector and how philanthropy can respond collectively. Diane and Geoff outlined a range of challenges, from restrictive legislative proposals to broader narratives that undermine trust, to emphasize the need for unified advocacy, immediate support, and increased philanthropic investments. Participants left with actionable steps they could implement across their giving to show up in meaningful ways. Read more >>
MEETING THE MOMENT: IMMIGRATION POLICY & COMMUNITY IMPACT
Alison Kamhi, Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
Monique Berlanga, Centro Legal de la Raza
May 2025
We partnered with Alison Kamhi, Legal Program Director at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), and Monique Berlanga, Executive Director at Centro Legal de la Raza, for our next learning series webinar focused on the evolving impact of immigration policy across the country and here in the Bay Area. Each spoke about the quickly evolving legal and policy environment affecting immigrant families and the increased demand for legal services, community education, and direct support. Read more >>
COURAGE CALLS US: FUNDING NONPARTISAN EFFORTS TO DEFEND DEMOCRACY
Jenny Flanagan, Moxie Fund
July 2025
PFS hosted Jenny Flanagan, Co-Director of the Moxie Fund, which serves as the sponsor of the Courage Calls Us campaign, to explore the funding landscape for nonprofit initiatives working to defend civil society, the law, and free and fair elections. Jenny discussed how philanthropy can be a lever to support voter access initiatives, election protection programs, and organizations working to counter threats to democratic processes. Read more >>
SUPPORTING LGBTQ+ YOUTH IN A CHALLENGING MOMENT
Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, GLSEN
Gael Isaiah Lala-Chávez, LYRIC
September 2025
To wrap up our learning series, we heard from Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, Executive Director of GLSEN, and Gael Isaiah Lala-Chávez, Executive Director of LYRIC, about the current landscape for supporting LGBTQ+ youth in this pivotal and deeply challenging moment. The discussion emphasized the growing number of legislative and cultural challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth, and emphasized the importance of providing safe environments, affirming education policies, and supporting youth-centered community programs that foster belonging and resilience. Read more >>
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