FSG is excited to offer a new workshop series: The Funder’s Role in Systems Change. Attendees can register for the full series or choose a single session to join.
- Full Series Pass: The Funder’s Role in Systems Change (2 workshops)
- The Water of Systems Change: A Deep Dive for Funders – Tuesday, October 6. 2pm – 3:30pm ET
- Getting Tactical: Funder Tools and Strategies for Systems Change – Wednesday, October 21. 1pm – 2:30pm ET
ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP SERIES
Communities face complex challenges that cannot be solved through programs alone. Increasingly, funders are asking a different question: “How can we as funders help create lasting systems change?”
The Funder’s Role in Systems Change is a two-part online workshop series designed specifically for leaders in funding organizations who want practical strategy and tools to strengthen their approach to supporting systems change efforts. This series, created by FSG, explores how philanthropy can use both grantmaking and other approaches to influence the policies, relationships, power dynamics, knowledge, and investments that shape long-term community outcomes.
Attendees may register for the complete two-part series or join either workshop individually.
- Session 1 – The Water of Systems Change: A Deep Dive for Funders
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 / 2pm – 3:30pm ET - Session 2 – Getting Tactical: Funder Tools and Strategies for Systems Change
Wednesday, October 21 / 1pm – 2:30pm ET
Visit Our Eventbrite Site to Register
What Is Valuable about this Series?
Unlike a traditional webinar, this series is intentionally designed as a small cohort experience to support philanthropy leaders.
Each 90-minute session combines practical guidance and frameworks, facilitated small-group discussion, and peer learning so participants have space to reflect on their own work, learn from other leaders across philanthropy, and consider how these ideas apply within their organizations. Whether your funding organization is new to supporting systems change efforts or looking to deepen your existing work, you’ll leave with practical strategies, new perspectives, and tools you can immediately apply in your work. These workshops are specifically designed for facilitated small peer group learning, so spots are limited. Registration will close once cohort capacity has been reached.
Who Should Attend?
This series is designed specifically for professionals working in funding organizations who are responsible for shaping philanthropic strategy, partnerships, or grantmaking. To support candid peer learning among funders, registration is limited to individuals currently serving in these roles within funding organizations.
We review registrations to help ensure the workshop is the right fit for participants. If we determine that a registrant is not currently working in a funding organization, we will cancel the registration and provide a full refund. We encourage those interested in systems change more broadly to explore our future workshops designed for a wider audience.
Workshop Descriptions and Focus
1) The Water of Systems Change: A Deep Dive for Funders
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 / 2pm – 3:30pm ET
Many funders aspire to support systems change, but it can feel overwhelming to determine where to focus and what systems change actually requires. This interactive workshop introduces participants to the Water of Systems Change framework, which explores six conditions that influence lasting change, from policies and resource flows to relationships, power dynamics, and mental models. Together, participants will explore how these different layers of a system interact and consider how funders can support change across multiple levels – moving beyond funding programs or services. Through facilitated small group discussion and reflection with peers, participants will begin applying the framework to their own work.
Participants will:
- Understand the six conditions that influence systems change
- Explore where your current work fits within a broader systems change framework
- Identify opportunities to create greater leverage for long-term change
- Consider how systems thinking can strengthen your relationships with grantees and community partners
Session Leads: Fay Hanleybrown, Managing Director, FSG, and Ryan De Souza, Director, FSG
2) Getting Tactical: Funder Tools and Strategies for Systems Change
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 / 1pm – 2:30pm ET
Funders have many ways to influence change beyond making grants. Building on concepts introduced in Session One, this workshop explores the Funder’s Palette, a new practical framework describing ten complementary approaches that funders can use to advance systems change, from strengthening organizations and developing leaders to organizing funders, shifting narratives, cultivating collaboration, and advocating for policy change. Rather than presenting a single “right” strategy, this workshop helps participants think intentionally about which approaches best fit their organization’s goals, relationships, and community context. Participants will also have opportunities to learn from other philanthropy leaders and reflect on how these approaches can strengthen both grantmaking and broader philanthropic strategy.
Participants will:
- Become familiar with ten approaches funders can use to support systems change
- Explore how different strategies can complement one another across a funding portfolio
- Reflect on where their organization is already creating systems change and where opportunities exist to expand its impact
- Leave with practical ideas for aligning grantmaking, partnerships, and organizational strategy to support long-term community outcomes
Session Leads: Abigail Ridgway, Managing Director, FSG and Miya Cain, Associate Director, FSG
Registration Information
Attendees can register on Eventbrite for a full series pass to join both workshops or register for a single workshop. Each 90-minute online session includes facilitated instruction, peer discussion, and practical application activities. Registration also includes workshop materials and three months access to the session recording following each session.
