Many efforts across philanthropy are aiming to mobilize a “big tent” of Americans – a metaphor for a group, community, or initiative that is widely inclusive and welcomes people with a broad range of perspectives. We know the challenges the United States face require unprecedented collaboration, and locking arms with people of different backgrounds is a key factor in whether democracies hold–or not. And yet, with how diverse America is in demographics, histories, and values, a question lingers: Is the big tent really viable in today’s context?

Join this virtual conversation as we turn the “big tent” question on ourselves as funders.

We have lined up a few speakers who will share their experiences pressure-testing the big tent within philanthropy, including:

• – Debi Ghate of Steadfast and Mission Possible, who has been facilitating cross-ideological focus groups, including funders, to craft shared principles to strengthen America
• – Lauren Higgins of New Pluralists, who is spearheading an ecosystem-wide effort to identify and respond to threats to pluralism
• – Amy McIsaac of PACE, who conducted interviews with funders from across the political spectrum this summer to understand what actions they were willing to take to address democracy weaknesses

Debi, Lauren, and Amy will start the conversation by reflecting on where they saw points of encouragement that a big tent is possible in philanthropy in their respective efforts, what is sitting with them as points of concern, and what lessons they think we can take away. The second half of the session will be reserved for participants to share their own experiences building a big tent, as well as raise the hard issues and questions they are wrestling with.

This virtual conversation is open to all funders. We hope you can make it!