Filed under: Charitable Donations, Community Foundations, Foundations
May 28, 2026
Day 2 of the 2026 Western Philanthropy Conference (WPC) built on the momentum of Monday’s big-picture conversations with a deeper dive into the practical, legal, and strategic challenges shaping modern philanthropy. After a day focused on sector-wide trends and evolving donor mindsets, Tuesday’s sessions turned toward execution — equipping attendees with tangible tools to navigate compliance, deploy capital effectively, and respond to shifting funding landscapes.
Attendees returned for a full slate of programming that balanced technical guidance with forward-looking strategy, reinforcing WPC’s role as a forum where philanthropy professionals can both step back and lean in.
See our Day 1 recap here.
Session 1 — Avoiding Red Flags: Compliance Pitfalls in Private Foundations
Speakers: Meghan Biss (Loeb & Loeb LLP), Jennifer Becker Harris (Clark Nuber)
The day opened with a highly practical session focused on compliance risks facing private foundations, where small missteps can quickly escalate into significant regulatory issues. Meghan Biss and Jennifer Becker Harris walked attendees through common red flags, including excess benefit transactions, self-dealing concerns, and documentation gaps that often arise during audits or IRS reviews.
Through real-world scenarios, the session emphasized the importance of proactive governance, consistent recordkeeping, and clear internal policies. Attendees left with a clearer understanding of how to identify risk areas before they become problems and how to establish processes that protect both the organization and its leadership.
Session 2 — Filling the Federal Grant Void: Philanthropy’s Expanding Role
Speakers: Zeeba Khalili (Marguerite Casey Foundation), Jen Keller (Clark Nuber), Rob Rogers (DIV Fund)
As government funding landscapes continue to evolve, this session examined the growing role philanthropy is being asked to play in filling funding gaps once supported by federal dollars. Zeeba Khalili, Jen Keller, and Rob Rodgers explored where private capital can be most effective and where it risks overextension, highlighting the tension between responsiveness and sustainability.
Panelists discussed collaboration models, public-private partnerships, and the need for strategic alignment between funders and grantees. The conversation also underscored the importance of avoiding reactive giving, instead building long-term strategies that address root causes while maintaining organizational flexibility.
Session 3 — Impact Investing in Action: Aligning Capital with Mission
Speakers: David A. Levitt (Adler & Colvin), Justine DeCoste (Pathstone), Deb Parsons (ImpactAssets)
Impact investing took center stage in this session, where David A. Levitt, Justine DeCoste, and Deb Parsons shared how foundations and donors are deploying capital beyond traditional grantmaking to drive measurable social and environmental outcomes.
The discussion explored how impact investing strategies are being integrated into broader philanthropic portfolios, from program-related investments (PRIs) to market-rate investments aligned with mission. Panelists highlighted both the opportunities and complexities involved, including governance considerations, risk tolerance, and measuring outcomes in ways that go beyond financial return.
For many attendees, a key takeaway of this session was that impact investing is no longer a niche strategy, but an increasingly central component of modern philanthropic practice.
Session 4 — The Grantmaker’s Toolkit: Tools, Frameworks, and Best Practices
Speakers: Nancy McGlamery (Adler & Colvin) and Shirley McLaughlin (Adler & Colvin), Josh Kenzer (Clark Nuber)
The final session of the conference brought together a range of perspectives on how grantmakers can operate more effectively in a complex and rapidly changing environment. Nancy McGlamery, Shirley McLaughlin, and Josh Kenzer shared practical tools for evaluating opportunities, structuring grants, and building stronger relationships with grantees.
Key themes included trust-based philanthropy, streamlined application processes, and the growing role of intermediaries and technology in grantmaking strategy. The session also emphasized the importance of communication, both internally and externally, in aligning stakeholders and ensuring that funding decisions support long-term impact.
As the concluding session, it provided a fitting synthesis of the conference’s themes: thoughtful strategy, disciplined execution, and a continued commitment to learning and adaptation.
Closing Remarks
The conference closed with reflections on the themes that emerged over the two-day event — from navigating uncertainty to embracing innovation and maintaining a clear sense of purpose in philanthropic work. Speakers and organizers emphasized that while the challenges facing the sector are complex, the opportunities for meaningful impact remain significant.
The 2026 Western Philanthropy Conference reinforced the importance of collaboration, intentionality, and staying grounded in the values that drive philanthropic work.
A Continued Commitment to Connection
While the formal sessions concluded, the relationships built over the course of the conference will continue well beyond the event itself. Attendees exchanged insights, strengthened partnerships, and identified opportunities for future collaboration — all key components of what has made WPC a growing presence in the philanthropic community.
With strong participation from across the country, planning is already underway for the 2027 Western Philanthropy Conference. Building on this year’s success, the conference will continue to serve as a forum for candid conversation, practical insight, and meaningful connection across the philanthropic sector.
If you attended the 2026 WPC, make sure to download exclusive presentation materials from the conference app before Tuesday, June 2, 2026!
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