At our November 20, 2014 meeting Debra A. Kahn, Executive Director, Philanthropy Network of Greater Philadelphia, addressed the subject of "The Philanthropic Landscape in Our Region and How Philanthropy and Policy Interact". Debra previously served as a Principal at the public issues consulting firm Goldsmith Kahn Associates, LLC; Philadelphia Secretary of Education from 2000 – 2005; and Executive Director of Philadelphia Futures.

Debra began her presentation by telling the audience "Funders Want to be well informed. They can't be effective in their work unless they are in the know about issues and best practices. Philanthropy Network helps fulfill this important educational role for members while finding ways to collaborate effectively among funders with non profits and government."

On November 11, 2014, Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia released a new study: "2014 Giving in Greater Philadelphia". The report, compiled from a survey of the Network's 150+ members, identifies recent trends, priorities and practices of key players in Philadelphia's philanthropic landscape. The survey focused on giving in Greater Philadelphia, which was defined as the five-county region comprised of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Debra reviewed key findings from the report which indicate that philanthropy in the region is stable and growing, showing that the region's funders are recovering from the recession. Reported giving grew 10% from 2011 – 2013 with poverty and economic and educational disparities clearly reflected as funders priorities. Education alone accounted for nearly one-third of grant dollars awarded, reflecting the growing concern with our public education system.

The issues that Philanthropy Network members are concerned about reflect the reality of Greater Philadelphia today. The survey showed that in 2013 regional funders gave $67 million (30%) for programs in Education; programs for Art and Culture received $49 million (22%) while $39 million (18%) went to support Human Services. Almost 40% of survey respondents say they anticipate increasing the size of their grant budget, and another 34% expect to keep the same grant budget. Nearly 50% anticipate in engaging in collaborative philanthropy in some form in the coming year.

The Networks "Sparkling Solutions Initiative", launched at their November 2013 Fall Conference, zeroes in on five issues where philanthropy plays a catalytic role in sparking changes. The Initiative is designed to foster collaborative actions that improve conditions, create opportunities and bring about changes in lives in Greater Philadelphia. The study found that 87% of survey respondents funded one or more of the five prime Initiative agenda issues: Promoting Youth Safety and Youth Development (70%) Reducing Hunger and Fostering Healthy Eating (57%) Preventing and Ending Homelessness (57%); Reading by Grade 4 (45%) and Increasing Access to Health Care (46%). 87% of the respondents to the 2014 survey reported that they are funding in one or more of these areas.

Organizations are invited to share information about their own programs and issues by completing a survey "Tell Us How You Are Sparkling" on the Networks website: philanthropynetwork.org. A complete copy of "Giving in Greater Philadelphia 2014" is also available on the Networks' website.