Membership
EDGE MEMBERSHIP
EDGE Funders is a diverse community of donors passionately engaged in domestic and international grantmaking, with differing priorities but a shared belief that equity and justice are critical to furthering sustainable, global well-being.
Members of EDGE Funders Alliance recognize that today’s economic, social and ecological challenges require greater dialogue across issues, geographies and strategies, and that combining support for local empowerment and community well-being with support for transnational networks and movement-building is more likely to bring about meaningful and lasting social change.
We welcome donors of all sizes and interests from all over the world who share our mission and values to join us. The EDGE membership includes members from both North America and Europe, and it is currently approaching foundations from the Global South too.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
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Networking
EDGE members enjoy an array of opportunities to network with peers both online and offline for a deeper understanding of key issues and to build community with a unique group of grantmakers committed to global social change.
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Annual Conference/Online Summits
Priority access and reduced registration fees for our annual conference/online summits + priority consideration in organizing conference workshops and discussions.
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Learning & Organizing
Participation in – and opportunities to help lead – members regional retreats, learning calls, webinars, Engagement Labs, working groups, and issue-based collaboratives.
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Member-only Spaces
EDGE members have access to additional resources shared through listservs, members newsletter and online meeting for additional opportunities for dialogue and analysis with grantmaker colleagues.
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Collaboration
Access to a network of international, like-minded funders with whom you can collaborate on activities,programs,funds + access to our online member area and membership listservs.
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And More!
The EDGE Team is committed to provide personalized support to our members, including one-to-one yearly check-ins, and a high-touch staff committed to support members and connect them to other funders, movements and networks
MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
Membership invitations are extended to anybody in the field of philanthropy who are seeking community with others aligned with our mission and values. Membership is based on support for our mission and values, and is open to individual major donors and to staff, trustees and advisors with foundations, grantmaking public charities, community funds, giving circles and other philanthropic institutions who act as grantmakers or in other roles whose purpose is to provide funds to promote the public good
Membership is open to:
- Foundations and organizations (community funds, giving circles, and other philanthropic institutions whose purpose is to provide funds for the public good)
- Individual donors, family foundations and trustees
- Philanthropic organizers, advisors, and consultants
- Academics and researchers within relevant fields
BECOMING A MEMBER
EDGE network is growing at the speed of trust. For our team and community, it is really important to build meaningful relationships with prospective members, which is why we’d love to have some conversations with you prior to joining our network. Contact us here and let us know something about yourself and organization, and we will promptly reach out to you to schedule a meeting.
MEMBERSHIP FEES
EDGE Funders sets annual dues levels based on a foundation’s self-evaluated size and capacity to contribute. Most highly active members also contribute larger grant support to EDGE Funders for our services and activities. EDGE Funders is a diverse community of donors passionately engaged in domestic and international grantmaking, with differing priorities but a shared belief that equity and justice are critical to furthering sustainable, global well-being. We understand and appreciate that many of our members are non-endowed/fundraising foundations and we value members’ engagement in financial and non-financial ways. We invite our members to choose the membership amount that feels appropriate.
Suggested annual amounts are as follows:
(10 million budget & over): USD 10,000 and above
(5 million budget and over): USD 5,000 to USD 10,000
(1 million budget and over): USD 1,000 to USD 5,000
(under 1 million budget): 500 to 1,000
$500 to $1,000 / €450 to €900
If you are not sure which category to choose, please get in touch with Martina Fin (EDGE Learning and Engagement).
Membership approval is determined by the leadership of EDGE Funders Alliance, and requires the timely payment of annual dues.