PDC Connect – Edition #4: Expanding the PDC

Hello PDC Community, Spring is in the air – and so is momentum. Over the past few months, we’ve seen encouraging signs that the conversation around shared infrastructure in philanthropy is gaining real traction. The Philanthropy Data Commons® continues to grow through new partnerships, stronger engagement across the sector, and increasing interest in what it would take to make data more reusable, connected, and useful for everyone involved. That broader momentum was reflected recently in <a href="https://www.philanthropy.com/news/matchmaking-database-offers-easier-path-to-grants/?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9rPpsbv8Ymh4SbHkuMIZo2PdQ4XKmf47NSXhiYpkQLKAUMqGEW3POaYXDLhc6SYGOh5EvU" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Chronicle of Philanthropy</a>, the PDC was featured in an article exploring how this kind of infrastructure could create an easier path to grants and help philanthropy work better. At the same time, one of our biggest learnings is that this work only matters if it stays grounded in the real needs of the people it’s meant to serve. Every conversation with funders, changemakers, or ecosystem partners sharpens our thinking. We’re learning that building the right infrastructure is as much about trust, clarity, and shared purpose as it is about technology. That’s part of what makes this moment so transformative: we’re building towards a data ecosystem with a growing community that is helping shape what comes next. Read on for a look at what we’ve been up to, where we’ve been, and what’s coming next. Best, Elizabeth Kane & John Mohr ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Welcoming new organizations to our growing community! The PDC is built on trust – and trust begins with a commitment. We’re proud to recognize the organizations that have joined as signatories and are helping shape a more connected philanthropic sector. <ul class="wp-block-list" data-block-type="core"> <li data-block-type="core">Changemakers: Noble Schools, SWOP Chicago, Open Sanctuary Project, Cara Collective</li> <li data-block-type="core">Funders: Healthy Communities Foundation, Direct Relief, Cuore e Mani</li> <li data-block-type="core">Ecosystem Partners: Charity Navigator, Giving Tuesday, Tech Soup</li> </ul> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-palette-color-1-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-palette-color-1-background-color has-background is-style-wide"/ data-block-type="core"> Where we’ve been Good Tech Summit The PDC team had an energizing time at Good Tech Summit – and we’re still buzzing from the conversations we had there. Good Tech Summit brought together some of the most thoughtful minds at the intersection of technology and social impact, and it was exactly the kind of community that reminds us why this work matters. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large" data-block-type="core"><img src="https://philanthropydatacommons.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PDCatGTS26-1024x770.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2763"/></figure> Team Strategy Session A lot of philanthropic infrastructure work happens behind the scenes — in planning sessions, problem-solving conversations with the people we serve, whiteboards full of ideas, and teams committed to making generosity easier to move at scale. Our team spent a few days together in May, generously hosted at the MacArthur Foundation offices in Chicago. We left energized and excited for what we’re building together! <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-block-type="core"><img src="https://philanthropydatacommons.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PDCStratSessionsMay2026.png" alt="Members of the PDC team in front of wall boards and diagrams" class="wp-image-2764"/></figure> What’s coming up Where to find us next This summer, you can find our PDC teammates at: <ul class="wp-block-list" data-block-type="core"> <li data-block-type="core">The Grantmakers for Effective Organizations 2026 National Conference in Boston (June 1-3)</li> <li data-block-type="core">The 2026 Philanthropy Infrastructure Forum, hosted by United Philanthropy Forum in Washington, D.C. (July 11-13)</li> </ul> Office Hours with PDC We’re excited to announce our small-group Office Hours, an intentionally curated space designed to give you clear, honest answers about what PDC is, how it works, and how you can get involved. With just limited seats available per session, these conversations are interactive, candid, and tailored to your questions. Seats are limited and fill quickly — RSVP required. Register for Monday, June 1 at 1 CT <a href="https://zoom.us/meeting/register/yCpDFIb2QeWZHs2WpLRjpw?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9rPpsbv8Ymh4SbHkuMIZo2PdQ4XKmf47NSXhiYpkQLKAUMqGEW3POaYXDLhc6SYGOh5EvU">here</a>. Register for Wednesday, June 17 at 12:30 CT <a href="https://zoom.us/meeting/register/azntIXXLRuy0IlStgOKVyA?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9rPpsbv8Ymh4SbHkuMIZo2PdQ4XKmf47NSXhiYpkQLKAUMqGEW3POaYXDLhc6SYGOh5EvU">here</a>. Register for Monday, June 29 at 12 CT <a href="https://zoom.us/meeting/register/9jD1V15SS_SlF2h3rbdJfQ?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9rPpsbv8Ymh4SbHkuMIZo2PdQ4XKmf47NSXhiYpkQLKAUMqGEW3POaYXDLhc6SYGOh5EvU">here</a>. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-palette-color-1-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-palette-color-1-background-color has-background is-style-wide"/ data-block-type="core"> Check out our refreshed website We’re excited to share that the PDC website has a fresh new look. Visit <a href="https://philanthropydatacommons.org">PhilanthropyDataCommons.org</a> to explore our refreshed design, documentation, resources, and development roadmap. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-palette-color-1-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-palette-color-1-background-color has-background is-style-wide"/ data-block-type="core"> Stay connected 🔔 Follow us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/philanthropy-data-commons?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9rPpsbv8Ymh4SbHkuMIZo2PdQ4XKmf47NSXhiYpkQLKAUMqGEW3POaYXDLhc6SYGOh5EvU" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a> for real-time updates 🌐 Explore our new website at <a href="https://philanthropydatacommons.org/?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9rPpsbv8Ymh4SbHkuMIZo2PdQ4XKmf47NSXhiYpkQLKAUMqGEW3POaYXDLhc6SYGOh5EvU" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">philanthropydatacommons.org</a> 📣 Share this newsletter with colleagues who should be part of the PDC movement 📩 Questions or ideas? Email us at <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">[email protected]</a> Let’s keep building this movement together! Disclaimer: Currently, Philanthropy Data Commons® is temporarily housed within Mac Services, an affiliate of the MacArthur Foundation established in the early 1990s to oversee select charitable initiatives identified and approved by the Mac Services.

Hello PDC Community,

Spring is in the air – and so is momentum.

Over the past few months, we’ve seen encouraging signs that the conversation around shared infrastructure in philanthropy is gaining real traction. The Philanthropy Data Commons® continues to grow through new partnerships, stronger engagement across the sector, and increasing interest in what it would take to make data more reusable, connected, and useful for everyone involved. That broader momentum was reflected recently in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, the PDC was featured in an article exploring how this kind of infrastructure could create an easier path to grants and help philanthropy work better.

At the same time, one of our biggest learnings is that this work only matters if it stays grounded in the real needs of the people it’s meant to serve. Every conversation with funders, changemakers, or ecosystem partners sharpens our thinking. We’re learning that building the right infrastructure is as much about trust, clarity, and shared purpose as it is about technology. That’s part of what makes this moment so transformative: we’re building towards a data ecosystem with a growing community that is helping shape what comes next.

Read on for a look at what we’ve been up to, where we’ve been, and what’s coming next.

Best,
Elizabeth Kane & John Mohr

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Welcoming new organizations to our growing community!

The PDC is built on trust – and trust begins with a commitment. We’re proud to recognize the organizations that have joined as signatories and are helping shape a more connected philanthropic sector.

Changemakers: Noble Schools, SWOP Chicago, Open Sanctuary Project, Cara Collective
Funders: Healthy Communities Foundation, Direct Relief, Cuore e Mani
Ecosystem Partners: Charity Navigator, Giving Tuesday, Tech Soup

Where we’ve been

Good Tech Summit

The PDC team had an energizing time at Good Tech Summit – and we’re still buzzing from the conversations we had there. Good Tech Summit brought together some of the most thoughtful minds at the intersection of technology and social impact, and it was exactly the kind of community that reminds us why this work matters.

Team Strategy Session

A lot of philanthropic infrastructure work happens behind the scenes — in planning sessions, problem-solving conversations with the people we serve, whiteboards full of ideas, and teams committed to making generosity easier to move at scale.

Our team spent a few days together in May, generously hosted at the MacArthur Foundation offices in Chicago. We left energized and excited for what we’re building together!

Members of the PDC team in front of wall boards and diagrams

What’s coming up
Where to find us next

This summer, you can find our PDC teammates at:

The Grantmakers for Effective Organizations 2026 National Conference in Boston (June 1-3)
The 2026 Philanthropy Infrastructure Forum, hosted by United Philanthropy Forum in Washington, D.C. (July 11-13)

Office Hours with PDC

We’re excited to announce our small-group Office Hours, an intentionally curated space designed to give you clear, honest answers about what PDC is, how it works, and how you can get involved. With just limited seats available per session, these conversations are interactive, candid, and tailored to your questions.

Seats are limited and fill quickly — RSVP required.

Register for Monday, June 1 at 1 CT here.
Register for Wednesday, June 17 at 12:30 CT here.
Register for Monday, June 29 at 12 CT here.

Check out our refreshed website

We’re excited to share that the PDC website has a fresh new look. Visit PhilanthropyDataCommons.org to explore our refreshed design, documentation, resources, and development roadmap.

Stay connected

🔔 Follow us on LinkedIn for real-time updates
🌐 Explore our new website at philanthropydatacommons.org
📣 Share this newsletter with colleagues who should be part of the PDC movement
📩 Questions or ideas? Email us at [email protected]

Let’s keep building this movement together!

Disclaimer: Currently, Philanthropy Data Commons® is temporarily housed within Mac Services, an affiliate of the MacArthur Foundation established in the early 1990s to oversee select charitable initiatives identified and approved by the Mac Services.