Membership Benefits

Contributors to Grantmakers for Education benefit from:

• A nationwide network of more than 200 leading philanthropic organizations, with interests from early education through higher education. GFE provides the only venues for education funders from around the country to meet, learn from, and collaborate with others in the field. Members have access to the GFE database for connecting with colleagues.
• Voice-of-experience workshops and content-rich conferences on education grantmaking. GFE fills a niche for education funders by providing highly substantive meetings that draw on the lessons of experienced grantmakers and educators. Each fall, hundreds of grantmakers attend GFE's informative national conference, and periodically GFE organizes shorter workshops on timely education topics. GFE also convenes "grantmakers-only" sessions at national education conferences and at Council on Foundations-sponsored events.
• Unique, in-depth professional development. In 2001 and 2003, GFE collaborated with the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Stanford Graduate School of Business to sponsor special three-day seminars for focused learning and reflection.
• Member-driven study groups and briefings. GFE believes that an education grantmaker's greatest resource is the experience and insights of other funders. GFE also supports opportunities for grantmakers to convene in small meetings and regional groups to learn together, share experiences, and explore opportunities for addressing common challenges.
• Information and expertise. GFE's professional staff is available to provide context, contacts, and ideas about education, and to assist members in tapping GFE's membership regarding grantmaking strategies, technical assistance, and evaluation.
• Updates and resources. GFE members stay current on trends and developments through a three-times-a-year newsletter. The "Members Only" section of the web site features a database that provides contact and program information for every member, a resource directory, periodic special reports on education philanthropy and job listings posted by philanthropies and education organizations.
• Shape the organization. GFE provides opportunities for member volunteers to play a significant role in setting the direction of the organization, designing programs and services, and ensuring the work of GFE is relevant to its members.