Senior Peer-to-Peer Network 2015-2017
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Southern California Grantmakers (SCG) is pleased to announce the call for applications for our 2015-1017 Senior
Peer-to-Peer Network. This exciting peer-learning professional development program brings together select senior
program staff from SCG member organizations to engage closely with philanthropic colleagues to discuss and
reflect on topics related to leadership development, organizational dynamics, collaborative philanthropic impact,
philanthropy trends, and each member’s professional and personal goals.
Participants will convene on a quarterly basis over two years (2015-2017) to:
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Re-invigorate their intellectual and emotional connection to their philanthropic work
Engage closely with new colleagues in a forum dedicated to thoughtful reflection and mutual learning on
questions central to both work and life
Build leadership and management strengths while addressing weaknesses
Develop a more defined life and career trajectory
This year, we are thrilled to announce Fred Ali as our 2015-2017 Senior Peer-to-Peer facilitator.
Fred Ali is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Weingart Foundation, a private foundation that
supports nonprofit organizations to more effectively address the needs of low-income and underserved
individuals and communities in Southern California. Prior to his appointment to the Foundation in 1999, Fred held
senior leadership positions with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies.
Fred currently chairs the Board of Advisors for the Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy at the Price School of
Public Policy, University of Southern California. He also sits on the boards of the California Association of
Nonprofits and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, and serves as a Senior Fellow at the UCLA Luskin School
of Public Affairs. He is a frequent speaker on issues and trends impacting nonprofit and philanthropic
organizations.
For the past eight years, SCG has invested in developing senior-level leadership in philanthropy through our Senior
Peer-to-Peer Network program. This unique opportunity allows participants to gain insight from their peers in an
intimate setting and develop leadership skills to prepare them for future endeavors.
Past Senior Peer-to-Peer cohorts have been facilitated by Jim Canales, then President and Chief Executive Officer
of The James Irvine Foundation; John Kobara, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the California
Community Foundation; Claire Peeps, Executive Director of The Durfee Foundation; and Joan Weinstein, Interim
Director of The Getty Foundation.
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Who Should Participate?
SCG will select 10 to 14 senior staff for the 2015-2017 cohort. Participants must commit to attend every session.
The ideal participant will bring the following:
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Significant experience as a senior-level leader in program/grantmaking activities, but not yet in the
President/CEO/Executive Director position at a grantmaking organization;
More than three years in a senior leadership role at one or more grantmaking organizations;
Demonstrated willingness to engage in a peer network setting, with an expressed interest in learning and
sharing openly; and
The full support of his/her organization’s leadership and the intention to remain with the organization for
the duration of the two-year program.
Date:
Please be sure to hold the afternoon of Tuesday, July 14, 2015 for the first meeting. If selected to participate, you
will be notified with additional details. Quarterly meetings will be held over two years. Subsequent meeting dates,
times, and locations for each meeting will be set by participants.
Fees:
$1,600 for the two-year program. Selected participants will be invoiced for the full amount. There is no fee to
submit an application.
How to apply:
Please submit your completed application by Wednesday, April 1, 2015.
Short-Answer Questions (Please note the word count limits for each question.) APPLICATION MUST
COMPLETED ONLINE – THIS FORM IS FOR REFERENCE ONLY.
1. What are you most passionate about in life and work? What is the single most important thing
that drives you professionally and personally? (Limit: 300 words)
2. Why do you want to participate in this program, and how do you hope to benefit from the
Senior Peer-Peer Network? (Limit: 300 words)
3. Describe your leadership role within your organization and within the field. (Limit: 200 words)
4. Describe how the field of philanthropy—and your current job in it—relate to your short and
long-term vision for yourself. (Limit: 300 words)
5. How would your best friend—or someone else who really knows you—describe you? (Limit:
200 words)
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