We Can Do Better, Together

We are in the midst of challenging times, with issues that are of a scale, complexity, and urgency that inspires solutions from all levels. Ours is an “all hands on deck” world as everyone, within their unique means, has a responsibility to contribute to building the kinds of communities we all want to live in. From simple acts of “caremongering”, to nationally impactful social innovations, together we ARE able to make impactful change. 

For more than 3000 years, philanthropy has played a significant role in supporting ongoing efforts to house, feed, educate, care for and build strong, connected communities. Traditionally, individuals or institutions have sat in a powerful role of directing the investments, influenced by cultural, religious and/or personal worldviews. Recently, there has been a call to unlearn the bias that is inherent in these approaches, making room for solutions to rise from community, for community. Innovators and grassroots organizers are also experimenting with trusting philanthropic contributions differently – inviting relationships with funders and offering insight into true community needs and lived experiences. Several new approaches to balanced, power-neutral philanthropy have been successful and are inspiring brave new experiments, locally. 

Our founding team – composed of the Centre for Local Prosperity, Community Foundation of Nova Scotia, Backr Ltd., and FireLoch (a hosted space for visionary and changemaking work) –  is reaching out with strategic invitation to those in our community interested in learning together about what might be possible if we reimagined local philanthropy in Nova Scotia. Because of the work we each do, we know there are others curious about a new path forward and gathering together is a way to feel like we are not alone in this work.

You Are Invited to a Unique Gathering

This is not a pitch or match making opportunity. All participants will understand that this is a learning experience and will embrace the vulnerability of this invitation to listen and share equally with local changemakers and philanthropists.

Join Us!

This gathering will be held at FireLoch in Antigonish County. Participants will be on-site from 10am Oct 18th to 3pm Oct 19th. We will come together as a collaborative group of peers, to learn from and connect with each other, make a bold leap in our thinking about potential impacts and benefits for ‘me and for my community’. Together we will begin the process of unlearning and relearning to localize relational changemaking efforts. 

When we gather we will work through a series of powerful questions that will lead us to inform, inspire, and connect with each other.

Relocalizing Philanthropy will be led by a team of  facilitators who bring decades of experience working in the community as leaders, consultants, trainers, and volunteers. A guest speaker, Dara Parker from the Vancouver Foundation, lead facilitator and presenter at Community Foundation of Canada’s recent national conference, “PurposePhil”, will bring practical examples from creative global philanthropic models that we will work with to co-create possible experiments close to home. 

Your Commitment:

If you believe in the impact this event can offer, we are seeking active support from attendees and sponsors who can contribute to the core costs of this event. Meals, accommodations, venue and facilitation carries a true cost of $1275 per person. To create access to the shared wisdom of grassroots changemakers we will fully fund 8 spots at this event by distributing these fees between attendees and sponsors willing to remove the barriers community leaders will experience. Please consider joining us by engaging as a participant or key sponsor of this important work.