As a PLACES Alum, you know that the deep connections and passion for learning forged during your PLACES Fellowship extend far beyond the end of your cohort year. So we’re making it easier for PLACES Alums to stay engaged — even if you don’t work for a TFN member organization or have moved away from philanthropy altogether.

We’re excited to share that TFN’s Member Portal is now open to all PLACES Alums, regardless of your employment status.

TFN’s Member Portal includes a searchable database of funders — and PLACES Alums — as well as the ability to update your professional info and access member-only recordings and resources. This password-protected, peer-to-peer platform is designed to support collaboration, deepen understanding and spark connections within our network and beyond. (Those of you who currently work for TFN member organizations may have already signed up for the Member Portal when it launched this summer.)

Funders across TFN’s community of working groups, initiatives and other programs have often asked for a way to reach out to fellow grantmakers who are based in their area or working on similar issues. That desire to connect is especially strong across the PLACES Alum Network. In fact, that was one of the key pieces of feedback shared during our recently completed PLACES evaluation. (More on that in the coming days!)

As part of our commitment to supporting a vibrant PLACES Alum Network, we’ve also created two other ways for you to connect with the PLACES community:

  • Join our PLACES Alum LinkedIn Group to share shout-outs, professional opportunities and other resources.
  • Once you’ve signed up for TFN’s Member Portal, you’ll also get an invite to our new PLACES Alum Slack Channel, which will be another alum-only space to chat, commiserate and strategize.

Are you ready to access TFN’s Member Portal? Just fill out our simple sign-up form. You’ll then receive a welcome email with your username and login instructions.

PLACES alums kicked off #TFN2023 at the New Orleans Healing Center

Here’s what you’ll be able to do once you have access to TFN’s Member Portal:

Connect

Curious to learn how many PLACES Alums are active in a specific state or region? Or who is focused on issues such as environmental justice or workforce development?

Our Funder Directory is a searchable database that will let you search by name, organization, focus area, geography or PLACES cohort year. In addition to PLACES Alums, the directory includes funders whose organizations are members of TFN or have engaged with TFN events and programming in the recent past.

Tip: Do you know a PLACES Alum or colleague at a TFN member organization who hasn’t signed up for TFN’s Member Portal? Click the Refer a Colleague button to share the Member Portal sign-up link directly.

Learn

Did you miss the latest PLACES webinar? Or wish you had easy access to the PLACES Connections Newsletters and other messages?

You’ll find back issues of PLACES Connections on the portal, as well as links to resources and blog posts from the PLACES community. To access recordings and materials from TFN webinars, explore the Event Resources featured on TFN’s Member Portal.

Please note that we’re only sharing recordings from the relatively recent past, and only when participants have been alerted that the event is being recorded. For example, certain peer-to-peer learning sessions and other virtual convenings have not been included, as facillitators often ask for those events to remain “off the record” to encourage frank exchanges of ideas and experiences.

Tip: This feature also links directly to TFN’s Event Calendar, so you can see and sign up for future events.

We’ll continue to add to this section, so be sure to check back and see what’s new!

Engage

Do you want to let the PLACES Alumni Network know that you’ve changed jobs, or share more about your grantmaking focus?

Click on the Update Your Profile to access your individual TFN profile, allowing you to make updates to your title, organizational affiliation, focus area, and other information. Updating your profile information will help enrich the Member Portal overall — making it easier for you and others in the network to engage with fellow funders whose grantmaking interests align.

Do you want to get involved in a TFN working group or find out more about upcoming events and learning opportunities?

Update your TFN Program Affiliations in the Member Portal, which features a menu of our working groups and collaboratives. Follow the links to learn more about each program area and sign up to indicate your interest in receiving news, updates and invites to webinars and other learning opportunities.

Tip: If you want to see which funders are engaged in what TFN working group, just search the Funder Directory under “program participation.”

PLACES Portland Site Visit 

Member Portal & PLACES Access FAQs

I’m a PLACES Alum. Why can’t I access TFN’s Member Portal?
All PLACES Alums are automatically eligible for access to the portal, but if you encounter any issues please reach out to membership@fundersnetwork.org.

What if I don’t want my information included in the Funder Directory?
No worries. You can update your sharing settings in the Update My Profile section.

I already signed up for TFN’s Member Portal. Where’s my invite to the PLACES Alum Slack Channel?
Keep an eye out for the email invite to join us on Slack (and be sure to check your junk/spam folders.) If you have any issues, please reach out to membership@fundersnetwork.org.

Does the Funder Directory only include funders who work at TFN member organizations?
Nope! Any funder who has engaged with TFN in the recent past, including attending our Annual Conferences or learning webinars, and who have agreed to share their information are included in the Funder Directory. (You’ll see a checkmark noting which organizations are TFN members.)

What if I see info about a PLACES Alum or colleague that’s incorrect? 
Please let us know! Kindly send an email to membership@fundersnetwork.org and we’ll follow up.

Is there a Member Portal Code of Conduct?
You betcha. We want to ensure that TFN’s Member Portal remains a considerate, caring and useful resource. You’ll be asked to agree to our Code of Conduct when you sign up for the portal, acknowledging that:

  • TFN does not allow language that harasses, threatens or defames others, or language that is derogatory toward people or communities based on, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or ability status.
  • TFN does not allow the data and resources found on the portal to be downloaded or repurposed in any way without appropriate consent of relevant individuals and creators. In particular, do not add contact information found on the portal to your organization’s databases without consent of the individual contact.
  • You will not use the portal as an opportunity for fundraising pitches or any other solicitations for financial or contractual support.
  • Electioneering or lobbying activities are prohibited. (For guidance on how to effectively advocate as a nonprofit or philanthropic organization, we encourage you to visit the resource pages for Bolder Advocacy, a program of the Alliance for Justice.)

 

Do you have additional questions or feedback about TFN’s Member Portal? Please reach out to our team at membership@fundersnetwork.org.