Confluence Philanthropy

Confluence Philanthropy is a membership-based network of over 270 foundations, family offices, and investment advisors whose mission is to transform the practice of investing by aligning capital with the values of sustainability, equity, and justice. Together, these diverse member institutions, representing more than $80 billion in philanthropic assets under management and over $4 trillion in managed capital, share a commitment that by aligning capital in all its forms with values, a sustainable economy that takes care of people and the planet is possible. This award provides general operating support to Confluence Philanthropy, helping to enable the delivery of programming focused on the following strategic goals: a) building a network of practice and pioneering leadership through education, outreach, and peer-to-peer learning; b) increasing the capacity of investors and investment managers to practice values-aligned investing by providing resources and technical assistance; c) fostering systemic thinking and effective cross-sector partnerships to enable innovation; and d) building momentum and collaboration among peer networks. Ultimately, general operating support for Confluence Philanthropy furthers the efforts of its member institutions to make investments that advance a more equitable and sustainable world.

Confluence Philanthropy is a global membership-based network serving foundations, family offices, high-net individuals, and their investment advisors that seeks to transform investing by aligning capital with the values of sustainability, equity, and justice. In collaboration with four other leading investor networks – The ImPact, Impact Capital Managers, Intentional Endowments Network and Social Venture Circle – Confluence is helping to develop a Racial Equity Investing Coalition (Coalition) that seeks to deliver tangible actions to improve diversity in investment management. To further these goals, Foundation funding supports: a) Confluence’s Annual Practitioner’s Gathering, which includes a significant focus on racial equity; b) the development of a collective, co-created strategy for the Racial Equity Investing Coalition that fosters the interdependence of each network in addressing racial equity, while identifying pathways for Coalition partners to support one another’s efforts; c) the creation of a calendar of Coalition and partner racial equity events with an outline of opportunities for collaboration; and d) agreement on how Coalition decisions will be made, establishing governance agreements, and developing participation criteria. Confluence Philanthropy will serve as the fiscal sponsor for the Racial Equity Coalition, and will contract with a consultant to guide the process of devising a collective strategy by the middle of 2021.

Confluence Philanthropy helps to facilitate institutional and individual philanthropic impact investing from its offices in New York City and Oakland through private consultation, publications, seminars, conferences, and the convening of topical working groups. The organization represents a nonprofit consortium of over 340 private, public, and community foundations, along with their investment advisors, with more than $134 billion in philanthropic assets under management. Support from MacArthur will help sustain and grow Confluence Philanthropy's outreach and education programs for those organizations that are seeking to become mission-related investors, and for those working toward strengthening their practices and partnership with other like-minded philanthropists.