What We Do

NCG: A Community for Learning, A Community of Peers

Northern California Grantmakers is a place where grantmakers come to learn. NCG supports the professional growth of its members with programs and activities that strengthen skills, share timely information, and offer new ways to approach the craft of grantmaking.

By facilitating opportunities to learn and connect, NCG supports the professional growth of its members and fosters connections among grantmakers, and between grantmakers and their peers in the nonprofit, public and private sector.

Learn

NCG provides programs and activities that strengthen skills, share timely information, and offer new ways to approach the craft of grantmaking:

  • Professional Development: Skill-building workshops teach grantmakers at all stages in their careers the skills they need to improve the quality of their grantmaking. 

  • Briefings & Gatherings: Interactive sessions inform grantmakers about concepts in effective grantmaking, new developments in grantmaking issue areas, and updates on legislation and policy issues. Social gatherings connect members with one another and renew their commitment to philanthropy.

  • Initiatives:  NCG develops initiatives in areas of deep concern to our members and to the field of philanthropy. Currently, NCG leads initiatives in Diversity in Philanthropy and Disaster Preparedness & Response.

  • Public Policy:  NCG offers resources that support public policy grantmaking, including grantmaker education and online resources. At times, NCG also acts as a voice representing the field in response to policy issues.

  • Resources:  Online resources connect members to data, news, policy activity, and other grantmaker networks.

  • Toolkits:  Online toolkits give nuts and bolts direction to help grantmakers implement new practices. Toolkits for Public Policy Grantmaking, Disaster Preparedness & Response, Web 2.0 are currently available.

Connect

NCG brings together grantmakers for the exchange of ideas, identification of issues for action, and creation of collaborative response:

  • Affinity Networks: The Corporate Contributions Roundtable and the Family Philanthropy Exchange meet regularly to share ideas and develop programming tailored to their interests.

  • Collaborative Philanthropy: NCG's Collaborative Philanthropy efforts provide a place for leveraged grantmaking, affinity, and increased learning and innovation. The Arts Loan Fund and Emergency Loan Fund bring together grantmakers to evaluate requests for short-term, low-interest loans for nonprofits in need.

  • Grantmaker Development: The New Grantmakers Institute convenes early-career grantmaking professionals for two days of interactive workshops. Each cohort is supported by follow-up programming throughout the year.

  • NCG Committees:  Large numbers of committed and active volunteers work together on NCG Committees to develop quality programs and advise on NCG policy and practice.