Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees - GCIR

OVERVIEW    SESSION HIGHLIGHTS    AGENDA    REGISTER

Convening Overview

GCIR's 2012 National Convening, Global Trends, National Implications, Local Innovations, June 13-15 in Portland, Oregon, will bring together a community of grantmakers who share a commitment to helping immigrants become full and active members of our society.  It will offer funders an opportunity to learn from one another’s experiences and expertise. And it will uplift a range of perspectives, strategies, and innovations from some of the field’s most inspiring leaders, thinkers, activists, and advocates.

• Understand the latest demographic trends and policy issues and what funders can do to improve the well-being of immigrant workers and families.
   
• Explore cutting-edge innovations that advance the social, economic, and civic integration of immigrants.
   
• Sharpen grantmaking skills in the areas such as capacity building and evaluation.
   
• Deepen knowledge on wide-ranging issues from ESL to civic participation—and wide-ranging strategies from direct services to leadership development. 

"What really struck me was how many different kinds of funders from different parts of the country are involved in immigration…this was an opportunity for me to meet people who have more expertise, making the experience really valuable."

‐‐ Past participant from a private family foundation

Session Highlights

• Plenary sessions that present the big picture, raise provocative questions, and invite new ways of thinking.
   
• Workshops that delve deep into specific issues or strategies—or build grantmaking skills.
   
• Roundtable dialogues that facilitate learning, interaction, and in-depth discussions among grantmaking peers.
   
• Learning tours that uplift the innovations of local organizations.

Agenda

As a priority region for GCIR, the Pacific Northwest will be the site of our signature biennial conference in 2012. The convening will showcase the rich body of work in the region—rural, suburban, and urban—to promote immigrant rights and integration and build alliances across communities. The region’s diverse arts and cultural heritage will be integrated to enhance participants’ learning and experience.

The 2.5-day convening will allow participants to delve deeply into various issues along multiple tracks.  There will be a mix of plenary sessions, issue-based conversations, learning tours, and skills- and knowledge- building workshops. Sessions will emphasize a peer-based, interdisciplinary approach to learning, lively discussion, and authentic relationship building. 

Participants will come away with a deeper understanding of best program and policy models, particularly those from the Pacific Northwest; effective grantmaking strategies; and opportunities for leverage and collaboration.

View the agenda here!

Register Now!

Open registration for members  and non-members is available beginning January 1, 2012. If you’re not a member, join now and receive the member rate at registration!