Convened Collaboration

Leads statewide legislative and budget advocacy in child welfare and juvenile justice, including advocating for increased human services investments (e.g., 7.8% across-the-board), full funding of state rates, restoration of preventive service funding, workforce compensation, and liability insurance stability. Submits testimony to state and city legislative bodies and engages with the Governor, Legislature, and Division of the Budget on behalf of member agencies.

Provides training, professional development, and leadership programs for child welfare staff across member agencies, including a leadership development program for emerging senior leaders and training forums delivered through the New York City Training Consortium. Also leads special training projects via adult education and workforce development platforms.

Coordinates and represents member agencies that collectively provide preventive services to thousands of families, out-of-home care for nearly 15,000 children and youth, comprehensive adoption services, and residential treatment for approximately half of adjudicated juvenile delinquents in OCFS custody across New York State.

Provides management services and operational support to member agencies, including information sharing, resource dissemination, and coordination of organizational operations, financial health, government partnerships, and member development.

Conducts research and confidential surveys on child welfare and juvenile justice issues, including agency financial status, workforce compensation, staffing trends, and turnover, to inform advocacy, policy development, and best practices among member agencies.

Convenes experts from diverse fields to collaboratively discuss global challenges such as food safety and agriculture, and develops public-facing solutions through publications.

Leads a New York delegation to Foundations on the Hill, where foundation leaders engage directly with members of Congress on federal policy issues affecting philanthropy.

Hosts quarterly and bimonthly peer learning groups for foundation leaders, finance administrators, grants managers, and executive directors across New York State, enabling exchange of insights, leadership development, and collaborative problem-solving through structured conversations and statewide networking.

Offers webinars, seminars, virtual member calls, and the annual "Grantmaker Toolkit Series" featuring experts, as well as skill-building workshops on race and equity, public policy, and innovative philanthropy practices to support continuous learning among foundation professionals.

Coordinates research efforts focused on shared philanthropic priorities to advance collective understanding and inform evidence-based practices within the New York State grantmaking community.

Hosts an annual two-day NYS Funders Conference and biennial conference convening approximately 150 grantmakers from all regions of New York State, featuring keynotes, breakout sessions, peer discussions, and pre-conference workshops, with high participant satisfaction as evidenced by 95% positive survey feedback.

Produces a monthly newsletter and distributes weekly PhilanthroNews roundups that share updates, sector news, and event information for grantmaking members across New York State.

Operates the Philanthropy & Public Policy Fellowship to deepen collaboration among grantmakers and enhance their engagement with local, state, and federal policy issues.

Provides high-quality, cost-effective programming, resources, tools, and networking opportunities tailored to the needs of diverse foundation members to build capacity, strengthen collaboration, and maximize impact across the state.

Provides a collaborative learning space for funders to explore artificial intelligence in philanthropy through bimonthly conversations and peer engagement focused on emerging tools, ethical considerations, and implications for nonprofit support.

Hosts the annual Eisenhower Awards Gala in New York to honor global business and public sector leaders for their contributions to international economic cooperation and understanding.

Convenes stakeholders from government, private sector, multilateral organizations, civil society, and academia to advance action on HIV/AIDS and antimicrobial resistance. Delivers programming at major global events including the World Health Assembly, International AIDS Conference, UN General Assembly, and African Union Summit.

Organizes and hosts over 150 meetings annually, including forums, panel discussions, off-the-record briefings, and receptions that connect business executives with senior government officials, heads of state, cabinet ministers, multilateral organization leaders, and U.S. Chiefs of Mission. Events occur during major global gatherings such as the UN General Assembly, World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings, and COP28.