Page 35 - January Report 2025

Education / A Powerful force for change Page 33
By: Lisa H. Loomis, Executive Coordinator
Walking into the Exponent Philanthropy Annual Conference in Austin, I was immediately struck by the
energy and dedication of lean funders committed to catalyzing change. This year’s event educated the
attendees through a dynamic program, keynote addresses, and networking events. The conference
highlighted critical themes such as courageous giving, people-centric philanthropy, and the value of
seed grants in catalyzing innovation. From the inspiring keynote by Dr. Elisha Smith Arrillaga to Malcolm
Macleod’s engaging session on seed grants, attendees were left with actionable strategies to drive
impact.
Johnson Scholarship Foundation has partnered with Exponent Philanthropy through a three-year,
$90,000 grant that has allowed them to expand their Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy (CLIP)
initiative. Attending their Annual Conference allowed me to meet the organization’s staff in person, meet
fellow funders, and experience some of the training sessions they provide to “lean funders”. Malcolm
Macleod attended as well and was pivotal in introducing me to the staff and other attendees as we
joined the Welcome Meet & Greet session and the Champions Reception. Malcolm’s respect from the
attendees allowed for numerous introductions of me to other funders and to the President of Exponent
Philanthropy, Paul Daugherty, and his team.
This year’s conference featured over 45 workshop sessions led by leaders from partner organizations.
Although I could not attend all 45 sessions, those I attended offered insights on Grantmaking Basics,
Levering AI & Other New Due Diligence Tools,
Improving Grantee Relationships, and a Master Class
in Leadership Transition. The session on ‘Leveraging
AI & Other New Due Diligence Tools’ introduced
practical ways to streamline the grantmaking process,
such as using AI to evaluate grantee applications more
efficiently. They all shared strategies and innovative
practices that drive impact.
Malcolm Macleod’s “Enhance Your Impact by Making
Seed Grants”, session was a conference highlight!
EXPONENT PHILANTHROPY CONFERENCE REPORT
November 2024
Left to Right: John, Lesli, Malcolm and David