It is an opportunity for network members, leaders in the fields of philanthropy, grant-making and community development to come together to explore the latest approaches to helping people in their communities to use the financial and other resources available to them to improve others’s lives. 

Community Philanthropy:  Engaging • Mobilising • Changing 

This year the theme will focus strongly on community transformation and the conference will take place in the North East where the three local community foundations are working in partnership to host the event.  The conference venue will be Newcastle upon Tyne’s Northumbria University’s City Campus East. 

2011 sees the introduction of a major innovation at the Conference –the Community Philanthropy Commissions of Inquiry.  There will be four Commissions, with Inquiries focussing on the themes of Community Transformation, Technology, Social Investment and Behaviours of Philanthropy.  Delegates will hear tough questions posed by sector experts to key witnesses and will be able to contribute to the final outcome.  Evidence from each of the Commissions will be recorded and the outcomes compiled into a post-conference report and guide to what is required from community philanthropy practitioners for more successful: 

• Donor/Philanthropist development

• Philanthropic product improvement

• Social finance

• Community organising and mobilisation

• Evidencing of impact

• Use of technology platforms

This will probably be one of the most significant gatherings in 2011 of people committed to localism and the development of the culture of local responsibility that is at the heart of the Big Society.  Leaders in the field of community philanthropy will be in attendance as delegates, seminar leaders and presenters. Friends, colleagues, finance experts, and network investors in the UK will be present alongside leaders in the foundation and voluntary sector world. Previous conferences have attracted delegates from Australia, Africa, Canada, Egypt, Palestine, and other European countries.

Find out more about The Network Conference