Sarah Lutman: Ideas for #GIA2015

Compared to GIA’s early years, last week’s conference was more diverse demographically, and courageous in the difficulty of topics brought forward for discussion. The through-line of conversations about race, for example, was substantive and it is vital, challenging work to embrace. The question of whether grantmaking can do more harm than good also was raised. Bravo to GIA for broadening the discussion, involving more people, and creating urgency around deeds, not words, in addressing the field’s most deeply-rooted problems.

So why not take a few additional steps toward broadening the conversation even further? Here are five ideas for the 2015 conference that could open the dialogue to more people without changing the fundamental nature and purpose of what is essentially a private gathering.