2024 Annual Report
Practice
CMF seeks to advance and amplify exemplary philanthropic practices and field expertise.
Through our virtual and in-person learning and networking events, on-demand resources and expertise and access to data, insights and thought leaders, and connections to strategic partners in Michigan and beyond, we offered customized pathways to support your learning and growth, and to expand your network.
Events Calendar
Explore upcoming virtual and in-person events, including by role and interest area. Stay tuned to our CMF Events Calendar throughout the year for learning and networking opportunities!
2024 Annual Conference:
Common Humanity, Common Ground, Uncommon Solutions
In the fall of 2024, nearly 600 staff and trustees from Michigan philanthropy, along with state and national partners, gathered together for Common Humanity, Common Ground, Uncommon Solutions in Traverse City. Over 2.5 days we heard from nationally renowned thought leaders, your philanthropy colleagues and partners across the state who shared insights, experiences and resources around grant craft, governance, policy, and beyond, and we explored how Michigan philanthropy can embrace differences and bridge divides across race, socioeconomics, gender, faith and other identities. We also engaged in site visits and explored downtown Traverse City and the Nature Conservancy and welcomed local artists and creators to help us experience the region.
We are grateful to the 2024 sponsors and exhibitors who helped support an outstanding conference experience!
Save the date and join your philanthropy peers for the CMF 53rd Annual Conference: Meeting the Moment Together, taking place October 14-16, 2025, in Kalamazoo. Registration opens July 23!
Decolonizing Wealth & Healing Divides featuring Edgar Villanueva in conversation with CMF President and CEO Kyle Caldwell
Honoring Indigenous Wisdom: A Path to Peace & Harmony Across Generations featuring James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw
The Race Card Project™ – Eavesdropping on America’s Conversation on Race featuring Michele Norris
One Small Step: Connecting with Our Common Humanity featuring Dave Isay and Sandra Clark of StoryCorps
“The way that equity was represented in every session was beautiful. Almost every session wove the idea of nested levels of equity: individual, organization, community, system, and emphasized the value and importance of intentionality and patience.”
– 2024 Annual Conference Attendee
Ask CMF
Our team of experts is here to answer your technical questions, provide legal and operational insights, track down research and sample documents, provide thought partnership around equity-centered grantmaking, governance and more. This team addresses hundreds of unique questions from members each year, providing a highly valued service and support that includes technical assistance, thought partnership, connections to peers and resources, and beyond.
Brittany Kienker, Ph.D.
Knowledge Insights
Expert in Residence
Jennifer Oertel
Impact Investing
Expert in Residence
Jen Heymoss
Philanthropic Practice
Expert in Residence
In 2024, Jen Heymoss joined the Ask CMF team of experts as our new Philanthropic Practice Expert in Residence (EIR). Jen serves as a resource for you, your staff and your trustees in advancing equity-centered grantmaking and governance. She engages with all in our CMF community, especially organizations with smaller staff or no staff, to provide on-demand support and resources on current and emerging grant craft insights from across the sector.
“I meet people where they are in their equity journey and want to engage them in courageous conversations. I hope to be a resource for any CMF member who wants to engage in centering equity within themselves and their organizations.”
– Jen Heymoss, CMF's Philanthropic Practice Expert in Residence
Featured Ask CMF Resources:
Knowledge Center
Explore our growing collection of resources curated by our team to deepen your knowledge of best practices, data insights and more.
