Annual Conference

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About the Annual Conference

Each year, ABFE hosts an annual conference, convening more than 300 members, stakeholders and partners to advance a collective agenda of increasing public and private investments in Black communities. We offer attendees a set of informational and professional development workshops, and members of ABFE have come to look forward to this time of networking, engagement around shared interests in supporting Black communities, and recognition of our colleagues in the field.

Annual Conference Awards for Philanthropic Excellence

The James A. Joseph Lecture on Philanthropy is a tribute to Ambassador James A. Joseph, ABFE co-founder and distinguished leader in the field of philanthropy. The Lecture recognizes an outstanding individual whose leadership and contributions as a visionary philanthropic leader have helped advance progressive philanthropic ideals, strengthen grantmaking institutions and build vital Black communities.

To view the list of past James A. Joseph Lecturers and transcripts,

ABFE Philanthropic Emerging Leadership Award was established in 2002 to recognize and encourage the accomplishments and contributions of people in their early to mid-career range, and who have served as staff, donors and trustees in the philanthropic sector for no more than 7 years. This award recognizes an outstanding individual whose innovative leadership promotes philanthropy as a means of social change in Black communities and advances ABFE’s mission. The ABFE Emerging Leader in Philanthropy Award is presented during the ABFE James Joseph A. Lecture in Philanthropy held each year at ABFE’s Annual Conference.

Previous Emerging Leader in Philanthropy Award recipients | DOWNLOAD >>

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2003 Nicole Jones
2004 Alvin Starks
2005 Kanyere F. Eaton
2006 Athan Lindsay
2007 Phillip Thomas
2008 Wendy Lewis Jackson
2009 Rahsaan Harris, PhD
2010 Cedric Brown
2011 Timothy McIntosh, Jr.
2012 Trista Harris
2013 Nicole R. Robinson
2014 Karris Jackson
2015 Maisha Simmons, MPA
2016 K. Jehan Benton-Clark
2017 Tynesha McHarris
2018 Michelle McMurray

The ABFE Institutional Award for Philanthropic Leadership was established in 2002 to recognize significant efforts and contributions of grantmaking organizations to promoting philanthropy as a means for social change in Black communities. This award recognizes an exemplary grantmaking institution that models effective and responsive grantmaking practices. The ABFE Institutional Award for Philanthropic Leadership is presented during the ABFE James Joseph Lecture in Philanthropy held each year at ABFE’s Annual Conference.

ABFE Institutional Award for Philanthropic Leadership Award recipients | DOWNLOAD >>

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2003 The Twenty-First Century Foundation
2004 Ford Foundation
2005 SBC Foundation
2006 Edwin Gould Foundation
2007 Akonadi Foundation
2008 W.K. Kellogg Foundation
2009 Southern Partners Fund
2011 Northwest Area Foundation
2012 Marguerite Casey Foundation
2013 Edward W. Hazen Foundation
2014 The California Endowment
2015 POISE Foundation
2016 Ford Foundation
2017 Hill-Snowdon Foundation
2018 Metro United Way

Donor Salon Trailblazer Award |

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2013 Trailblazer: John W. Rogers, Jr., Chairman, CEO & Chief Investment Officer, Ariel Investments
2014 Trailblazer: Tracey Webb, Founder, BLACKGIVESBACK.COM and The Black Benefactors
2015 Trailblazer: Thurman White, President & CEO, Progress Investment Management Company, LLC
2016 Trailblazer: Kenneth Holley, CFA, Principal, Portfolio Manager, CIO, Herndon Capital Management

Past Conferences

HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR 2016 EMPOWER PHILANTHROPY CONFERENCE:

ABFE 2016 James A. Joseph Lecturer Speech | VIEW >>

ABFE 2016 Annual Conference Sponsors | VIEW >>

ABFE 2016 Annual Conference Photo Gallery | VIEW >>

ABFE 2016 Annual Conference Program Booklet | VIEW >>

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2014
Annual Conference Program
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2013
Annual Conference Program
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2012
Annual Conference Program
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Annual Conference Highlights

ABFE 2015 Annual Conference Highlights | VIEW

ABFE 2014 Annual Conference Highlights | VIEW

ABFE 2013 Annual Conference Highlights | VIEW

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