EVOLVE Philanthropy is an informative and interactive knowledge series offering opportunities to learn, engage, and network with each other. The series explores philanthropy through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive lens, and fosters ways to become effectual agents of support in order to enrich the quality of life in our region. Each session will incorporate a mix of expert knowledge sharing and group discussion but will be informational in nature. The series is open to donors, professional advisors, community members and partners, staff, and trustees of organizations interested and impacted by community foundation work.
We hope that you will find the series to be thought-provoking, inspirational, and meaningful.
Upcoming Sessions
Financial and Estate Planning for Those Without Children:
Creating a Meaningful, Non-Traditional Legacy
Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 8:30am to 10:30am
Location: Willits-Hallowell Conference Center, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA
Description: Join us for breakfast and an intimate conversation, specifically for people who want to ensure their legacy is thoughtfully and comprehensively planned. This event will invite conversation and offer guidance around the essence of financial and estate planning, particularly for people without children who are considering creating a lasting legacy.
Facilitators: Amy Jamrog, financial advisor, The Jamrog Group & Michele J. Feinstein, estate planning attorney, Shatz, Schwartz & Fenton
Ideal for: Fundholders, Staff, Trustees, Volunteers, Professional Advisors & Donors
Previous EVOLVE Philanthropy Events
December 11, 2024
Lights, Faith, Culture – Approaches to Generosity
Shaikh Mirza Yawar Baig, Imam and Resident Scholar, Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts
Rev. Dr. Marisa Egerstrom, Pastor, Florence Congregational Church, MA
Pastor Atu White, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Springfield, MA
Rabbah Riqi Kosovske, Beit Ahavah Reform Synagogue of Greater Northampton, Florence, MA
Cassandra Holden, Host, Executive Director, Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity, Florence, MA
Dr. Carlos Perkins, Moderator, Pastor and Assistant Director, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Lake Institute of Faith and Giving, Indianapolis, IN
Artists featured: Rachel Leader, Fiddler and Ariel Shapiro, Accordionist and Vocalist
September 18, 2024
Celebrating the Arts: Sustaining ValleyCreates & Honoring Hispanic Heritage
Featuring artists: Bomba de Aqui, Michelle Falcón Fontánez, and NAGO
Remarks from Special Guest:
Martha Richards, President of WomenArts
June 5, 2024
Professional Advisors Philanthropy Exchange
The Community Foundation invites financial planners, wealth managers, accountants, estate planners, and other professional advisors from around the Valley to join us for a networking event at Penthouse 650. We are excited to share new developments on the work the Community Foundation is doing, together with our donors and community partners, to make our region an even more vibrant place to live, work and play. We look forward to the opportunity to share how we can be a resource for serving your clients around their charitable giving, all for the good of our community. And we welcome the opportunity to help you build your own networks of professional advisors.
May 29, 2024
A Recognition of Lasting Leadership
The Community Foundation hosted a Spring gathering of Legacy Society members, current and former Trustees for lunch, to connect, and hear highlights about our work.
February 28, 2024
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH: What can Reparations Mean for a Community & What is the Role of Philanthropy?
Dr. Stefan Bradley, Amherst College Charles Hamilton Houston ’15 Professor of Black Studies and History
Kimberly Dumpson, UMass Amherst Foundation Vice President, Advancement and presenter of “Between My Ancestors and Me: The Gift And Power of Intergenerational Storytelling.”
Michele Miller, Former Town Councilor and Co-chair of Amherst’s African Heritage Reparation Assembly
Dr. Amilcar Shabazz, UMass Amherst Professor of African-American Studies, Treasurer of the National Council for Black Studies and member of the African Heritage Reparation Assembly
Special performance by singer- songwriter, Pamela Means.
View accompanying resources for Black History Month.
Dec. 12, 2023
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Paul Belsito, Executive Director, Davis Foundation and Nikki Burnett, Executive Director, Educare
Nov. 28, 2023
WHAT’S IN YOUR PIGGY BANK?
Jennifer Connolly, President of Junior Achievement and Terrell Joyner, Unity Financial & Insurance Group
Oct. 28, 2023
SPRINGFIELD MURAL BUS AND WALKING TOUR
Britt Ruhe, Director of Common Wealth Murals
Sept. 19, 2023
WESTERN MASS COMPLETES: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION FUNDING
Becky Packard, Ph.D., Trustee and Professor and Christina Royal, Former President of HCC
Aug. 21, 2023
THE WINEY MARKET: CFWM’S INVESTMENT STRATEGY 101
Mauricia A. Geissler, Chair of the Investment Committee and Shannon Gurek, CFWM VP for Finance
July 26, 2023
EQUITABLE PHILANTHROPIC PRACTICES IN OUR WORK TOGETHER
Tanisha Arena, Executive Director, Arise for Social Justice
EVOLVE Philanthropy is the first knowledge and engagement series of its kind offered by the Community Foundation.
Please note these sessions are free to anyone interested in attending.