Center for Civil Society

Ideas, Training, and Tools for Civil Society Leaders

Introduction

The Center for Civil Society (C4CS) strengthens America’s voluntary associations by improving the effectiveness of donors, charitable foundations, and nonprofit organizations. The center fulfills its mission through education, research, publications, webinars, master classes, and in-person events. These resources offer practical advice, ideas, training, and tools that help civil society leaders achieve their missions.

A project of AmPhil, the Center for Civil Society is built on the belief that if America’s voluntary organizations can more fully realize their visions, American civil society and democracy will become healthier—and American individuals and communities will flourish more fully.

Jonathan Hannah is leading the charge as the center’s director. Learn more about the center’s resources and upcoming events below.

educational resources

Tools for Civil Society Leaders

The Center for Civil Society offers a range of educational resources and events to help civil society leaders achieve their missions.

Master Classes

In the Trenches is AmPhil’s no-nonsense master class series that invites you into trenches of fundraising and teaches you the tactics to raise more money for your organization, in good times and in bad. Join our fundraising experts for master classes on foundations and grant writing, capital campaigns, direct mail and digital marketing, major gifts, strategic planning, and data analytics.

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Conferences

The Center for Civil Society’s conferences convene givers, doers, and thinkers to reflect on ways to strengthen civil society and conserve the natural and cultural goods of our communities and our nation. Stay tuned to hear about our next conference. Future dates will be added here.

Fundraising Trainings

Grow your development program and achieve success with one of American Philanthropic’s Elements of Fundraising. This annual two-day, intensive training is designed for new nonprofit directors, CEOs, development directors, and fundraising staff, as well as nonprofit leaders looking to brush up on the fundamentals of development. This graduate-level fundraising training helps participants learn how to raise more money for their organizations.

Subscribe to learn more about the next conference.

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Scotch Talks

Join Jeremy Beer and other AmPhil consultants as they discuss various fundraising topics, including foundations and grants management, strategic planning, major gifts and prospect research, direct mail and digital marketing, database and data analytics, and much more. Bring your favorite libation!—scotch, beer, or tea—and join us for informal and exploratory conversations.

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Webinars

Hosted by Jack Fowler and featuring special guests, the Center for Civil Society’s webinar series is for donors and nonprofit leads and explores topics related to donor intent, education, civic life, and giving that strengthens civil society.
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Podcasts

Jeremy Beer hosts the Givers, Doers, & Thinkers, where listeners are introduced to the fascinating people and important ideas at the heart of American civil society. Guests have included Patrick Deneen, Timothy P. Carney, Elise Westhoff, Howard Husock, and many more. Jack Fowler co-hosts The Victor Davis Hanson Show. Jack and Victor discuss current political and social events and ideas in “The Traditionalist” and current and past cultural trends in “The Classicist.”

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