September 2026 Lunch and Learn: Building a Culture of Philanthropy By Activating Your Board.  

Presenter: Susan Holt, President and Founder, Vision Philanthropy Group

Date: September 16, 2026

Location: Second Harvest Food Bank

Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Course Title: Building a Culture of Philanthropy By Activating Your Board

Everything (I mean everything) in giving and fundraising starts with your organization's culture.  Why? Because your organization's culture, especially its philanthropic culture, will either drive or stymie your philanthropy program. Think about it for a moment.

Does your institution’s culture serve and support transformational giving and bold, courageous asking that enables your noble work? If not, why not? If it does, hooray! Reach out and bring others along in your shared and noble passion for your cause!  

If your philanthropic culture does not support your annual giving and transformational giving program, let's figure out why not. What's missing, and what steps can you, your colleagues, and your Board take together to create this truly magical culture—one that has the power to change your organization and even lives forever? 

In this interactive session, together we'll explore the role values, beliefs, passion, impact, gratitude, language, champions and board leadership play in shaping and nurturing your philanthropic culture.  We'll explore strategies that have worked, and maybe some that haven't, in activating your board's involvement in leading this culture and you'll leave with a culture checklist to explore with your own organization.  Bring your questions and be ready to participate!