Communications Professionals in Philanthropy Community of Practice – From Reactive to Anticipatory Stakeholder Engagement
The Communications Professionals in Philanthropy Community of Practice will host “From Reactive to Anticipatory Stakeholder Engagement” in Philanthropy House, Brussels on 28-30 October.
As expectations of foundations evolve, influence and trust are increasingly being shaped by a wider range of actors. Policymakers, media, business leaders, content creators, AI tools, and communities all play a role in forming perceptions of philanthropy. This creates new challenges but also opens up new opportunities to build relationships earlier, listen more openly, and engage beyond familiar circles.
This session invites communications professionals in philanthropy to look beyond the relationships they already know and consider the stakeholders, channels, technologies, and public conversations that will shape how philanthropy is understood in the years ahead.
Together, the session will explore how foundations can move from managing stakeholders reactively to anticipating where trust, legitimacy, and visibility will be built next. It will look at how to engage with both supportive and more sceptical stakeholders, how to expand networks beyond traditional allies, and how to create spaces for meaningful dialogue before relationships become urgent or difficult.
The aim is for participants to leave with fresh perspectives, practical ideas, and renewed confidence to approach stakeholder engagement as a strategic, forward-looking practice. One that helps their organisations understand changing expectations, build trust with intention, and turn emerging challenges into opportunities for connection and impact.
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