AFP WA, Advancement Northwest Chapter Event: National Philanthropy Day 2025

November 12, 2025 | 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Join us for “Together Through Turbulent Times“.

In recent years, the challenges facing fundraisers and nonprofit leaders have felt relentless. The pressure of record increases in housing instability and food insecurity, to rising costs, to shrinking governmental support, and evolving donor expectations have been immense and seemingly unprecedented. Yet amid these challenges, we also see innovation, courage, and collaboration: organizations rethinking how they work, funders trying new ways to share power, fundraisers pushing ahead despite hardships, and communities insisting that equity not be optional.

This panel brings together voices from across that spectrum: Shalimar Gonzales, CEO of Solid Ground, an organization that is deeply embedded in delivering services and advocating for systems change; Emiko Atherton, Executive Director of Social Venture Partners Seattle, a non-profit organization working to reshape philanthropy itself to be more just, community-driven, and aligned with racial equity; and Shannon Bowen, CEO of Monsoon Leadership, a career coaching practice which helps fundraisers navigate layoffs and secure jobs in today’s rocky job market. Hong Chhuor, Co-President of the AFP Advancement Northwest, will serve as moderator for the conversation.

We’ll examine what’s working, what remains elusive, and most importantly, how we can carry forward lessons of this year to nurture more stability, greater impact, and deeper justice. Let’s recognize what’s been accomplished, learn from these turbulent times, and inspire each other to keep going, as the work of uplifting our community matters now more than ever.

We will present three National Philanthropy Day Awards to professionals in our community who exemplify excellence in development work at the celebration.