Comments on the Overall Value of the Program
The peer to peer learning is priceless. I simply cannot put enough value on meeting with peers, establishing relationships based on philanthropy, interacting with professionals and through all of this, refining my philanthropic goals and becoming more professional about them.

TPW was really my initiation into philanthropy, so it has shaped almost all of my current activities. Through the program, I developed my areas of focus, plus an asset of contacts that form the basis for my work today. So international, collaborative, based on theories of change, etc., are all ideas that I have incorporated into my activities.

Prior to the program, I had some broad interests in funding internationally, but through the exposure to international organizations and theories of change, I have been able to develop and articulate a focus within our foundation on international issues.

Now I feel we have a thoughtful and focused guide for future giving. We have learned how to evaluate a grant proposal, look at the cause of the problem not just treating symptoms and a range of vehicles for doing philanthropy.

I came out of TPW West with a business plan, including time frame, initial areas of focus, a realistic sense of expectations, the beginnings of a network or community, and an orientation towards outcomes, none of which I had before.