Talking Legacy, Reality, and Possibility at the 2025 Yale Philanthropy Conference

As we step into 2025, the nonprofit sector finds itself at a crossroads. The backlash against progressive philanthropy, concerns over federal funding freezes, and the rollback of civil rights protections have left many nonprofit leaders grappling with how best to navigate this uncertain landscape. At the same time, fundamental debates over philanthropy’s role in strengthening democracy, advancing racial equity, and supporting communities remain more urgent than ever. The turbulence of this particular period often feels paralyzing. Yet, in this moment of flux, we need spaces that allow us to reflect on philanthropy’s past, understand our present, and imagine a future grounded in justice and resilience.

When my co-chairs, Margaret Kuo and Camila Novo-Viano, and I first sat down to plan this year’s Yale Philanthropy Conference back in August 2024, we could not have foreseen the full extent of the challenges ahead. But we knew we were commemorating the 20th anniversary of one of the largest fully student-run conference at Yale, and we wanted this year’s convening to be a moment of both reflection and planning for the future. That vision led us to our theme: “Legacy, Reality, and Possibility.” From deepening community engagement to exploring how AI is reshaping philanthropy, each of our sessions underscored the urgency of redistribution—whether of power, resources, or opportunity.

In her keynote address, Carla Thompson Payton, chief strategist and impact officer at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, reminded us that history holds lessons for our present moment. She spoke of global movements where civil society faced attempts at silencing and suppression but ultimately managed to unite, create spaces to be seen and heard, and develop coordinated strategies for action.

Carla urged us to “look backward to look forward,” drawing inspiration from pivotal periods in history such as the Reconstruction era, when Black Americans made extraordinary gains in political representation and civil rights despite facing immense opposition. These stories, often overlooked in mainstream narratives, offer us not only perspective but hope.

As Carla powerfully put it: “Abundance is the firm belief that your success doesn’t hinge on someone else’s failures.”

Later in the day, we welcomed Kathy Reich, the founding Director of the Building Institutions and Networks (BUILD) program at the Ford Foundation and a Yale College alum, as our second keynote speaker. Reflecting on her tenure at BUILD, Kathy offered a powerful insight: “Keep things simple.”

BUILD was founded on a straightforward premise: identify creative, committed organizations and provide them with five years of unrestricted funding to strengthen their people, strategies, and financial resilience. That simplicity allowed for bold, decisive action in the face of daunting challenges. Yet, as Kathy reminded us, simplicity does not mean a lack of sophistication. It takes hard work, trust, and a willingness to get messy to achieve real impact.

“Simplicity is not easy,” Kathy told us. “But nothing worthwhile ever is. What’s important is to begin.”

This is my second year as part of the organizing team of the Yale Philanthropy Conference, and my first as one of its chairs. What sets this conference apart from others is the intimacy and honesty that exist among the people that it brings together. I am deeply grateful that the practitioners, nonprofit leaders, and foundation professionals who attend our conference every year share a deep commitment to making philanthropy more just, effective, and responsive, and to prioritizing the communities they serve.

Organizing a conference like this always comes with a certain level of uncertainty. You can send out post-event surveys and track attendee engagement, but it is nearly impossible to fully measure impact. On the day of the event, much of the work happens behind the scenes—troubleshooting technology issues, making sure attendees are caffeinated and energized, and keeping sessions on schedule. Our incredible team—consisting of students from the School of Management, the School of the Environment, the School of Public Health, the Jackson School of Global Affairs, and Yale College—can attest that it is truly all-hands-on-deck to keep the conference running. But the real success of a conference like this isn’t just what happens during the event; it’s what happens after.

And so, as we look ahead, I remain hopeful.

Hopeful that even in an era of deep polarization and uncertainty, the simple act of gathering can be meaningful. Hopeful that fostering dialogue, even imperfectly, can plant the seeds for new collaborations. Hopeful that the connections formed at this year’s conference will offer strength and solidarity in the months to come.

Because the work does not end here. The challenges we discussed will continue to shape the nonprofit and philanthropic landscape long after the last panel concludes. But if this convening offered even a moment of reflection, a spark of inspiration, or a renewed sense of shared purpose, then it was worth it.

In moments like these, coming together to reflect, strategize, and build community is not just valuable—it is necessary.

And as Carla and Kathy reminded us, the way forward is clear: Learn from the past. Keep it simple. And begin.