Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort

Are you looking for a supportive community of funders to help you build constructive dialogue and understanding across differences? You’ll get just that with the Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort.

The Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort is a facilitated virtual learning experience meeting monthly from April 2023 until November 2023, hosted by the Council on Foundations in partnership with the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley (GGSC). This course will support the work of the Council's Building Common Ground Strategic Pillar.

Facilitated by GGSC Senior Fellow Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith, the discussions will center on science-backed skills covered in the GGSC’s Bridging Differences online course, which offer research-based strategies for bridging differences with colleagues, peers, and grantees.

Along the way, you’ll take in real-world case studies and connect with your peers on challenges, successes, and lessons learned.

About the Program

Want to learn more? Watch a recording of the Webinar From Polarization to Collaboration: Philanthropy’s Role in Bridging Differences

Learning Objectives

• Develop a deeper understanding of the science-based practices to bridge differences.
• Connect with leading researchers, fellow philanthropy practitioners, and other nonprofit sector leaders who are doing this work, ideally identifying new collaborators and confidants on your journey.
• Develop new skills and knowledge to inform your philanthropic work.

Cohort Facilitator

Dr. Allison Briscoe Smith

Senior Fellow
Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley

Program Details

Members of the Cohort will:

• Meet on monthly 90-minute Zoom calls where they will learn from guest instructors, including leading practitioners and researchers, and connect with other participants in smaller-group discussions and creative exercises.
• Complete the self-paced eight-module Bridging Differences online course.
• Gain access to a private community on the Council's Philanthropy Exchange, where you can access and share resources and connect with other cohort participants.

Schedule and Speakers

• Intro to Bridging Differences - April 25, 2023, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
  

  Uma Viswanathan
  Executive Director
  New Pluralists

• Challenge Your Views - May 30, 2023, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
  

  Melissa Milios Davis
  Vice President of Strategic Communications and Informed Communities
  Gates Family Foundation

  

  Sarah Kurz
  Vice President of Public Affairs
  Rose Family Foundation

• Active Listening - June 27, 2023, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
  

  Stephanie Hicks Thompson
  Director, Experiential Marketing & Events
  Cleveland Foundation

• Compassionate Speaking - July 25, 2023, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
  

  Monica Guzman
  Senior Fellow for Public Practice
  Braver Angels

• Recognize Shared Identities and Values - August 29, 2023, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
  

  Wendy Feliz
  Managing Director, Democracy and Public Policy Advisor
  The Arthur M. Blank Foundation

• Identify Common Goals - September 26, 2023, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
  

  Andrew Geraghty
  Program Officer, U.S. Democracy Program
  Carnegie Corporation of New York

• Intergroup Contact - October 31, 2023, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
  

  Jenan Mohajir
  Senior Director of Special Projects
  Interfaith America

• Closing and Takeaways - November 28, 2023, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET

Eligibility

The cohort is open to individual staff members and teams from foundations and philanthropies. Given the size of the cohort, preference will be given to applicants from Council on Foundations member organizations. 

It is a good fit for individuals and teams who are already working to foster more constructive dialogue, relationships, and understanding across lines of difference AND those who want to get started.

Please note: Applications for the 2023 cohort are closed. 

FAQs