“admitting we don’t know as things fall apart,
do we have the capacity to sustain humility?
cause we really don’t know the way out of this. we don’t know whether we’re in a slowly heating pot of water, the frying pan, the fire, the last gasp of a humanoid dinosaur age, the beginning of our liberation, the flashbacks of every apocalyptic movie ever filmed, the birth year of the four horses of the apocalypse, Octavia’s mind, the end of human civilization, a new kind of collective madness, a beautiful awakening, the early stages of the great turning. certainty may give us comfort, but right now it’s a false solution, an illusion that we put energy into which will not get us where we need to be….”
Adrienne Maree Brown
The EDGE Americas Retreat
is an important space that
reinforces what unites us
at EDGE:
the recognition that global crises are systemic, interconnected,
and demand systemic responses through collective
experimentation, learning, and action. It is one of our
cornerstones offerings for strengthening the EDGE community
across the Americas. It is a space for progressive funders to root,recharge, and amplify the impact of their collective work.
The focus of each retreat shifts depending on the context, but oneconstant remains: creating space where relationships can grow,collaborations can begin, and new ideas can emerge. This year wearrive carrying the burnout, and heaviness of a world unravelingalongside the ever-present demand for philanthropy to step upagainst its own constraints. We are also arriving with the humilityof not knowing for sure what can work to make changes but withthe openness to hear strategies from one another.
FROM:
Tuesday May 26th
TO:
FRIDAY MAY 29th
This year’s retreat meets us
in a time of disorientation,
fatigue, and impossible
contradictions.
The systems around us are unraveling and so are our certainties. What does it mean to root in our values, when the path forward isunclear? What does regional solidarity look like?
The current political context across the region is marked by deep polarization, democratic backsliding, extractive economic pressures, and increasing attacks on movements. Mexico offers a meaningful geographic and political bridge. This retreat is a commitment to regional interconnectedness and solidarity. There is a lot to learn from each other!
This retreat is our offer of interruption. A chance to step outside the urgency of daily demands, to come into the quiet of the countryside, and to be with peers who are wrestling with similar contradictions. It is a space to slow down enough to restore perspective, to remember that we are not alone, and to explore together what more courageous paths might open.
The agenda is deliberately light:space for rest, long meals, and conversations that unfold
without rush.
If something shifts here, it will be because we allowed
ourselves to pause, to let go of performance, and to sit with the unknown together.
Our agenda does not carry grand promises of outcomes. What it does carry is a dedication to create space for attendees to share their work, to extend solidarity, and to refresh visions of justice that can inspire us all to remain in this work for longer.
We hope to create space for attendees to share their work, to extend solidarity, and to refresh visions of justice that can inspire us all to remain in this work for longer.
overall objectives
Meet new EDGE members that
can be collaborators and allies in
topical work or overall advocacy
in the sector
Get inspired by stories from
members who made changes in
their foundations that challenge
the philanthropy sector, how
they address diversity, power and
privilege and who managed to
shift more resources towards
systemic change
Discuss pressing issues threatening
justice and systemic change
philanthropy across the Americas
as well as new models of
philanthropy emerging/expanding
to offer solidarity and fill gaps in
this political moment
BENEFITS OF BEING AN EDGE MEMBER
Arrival: Tuesday, 26th May
A soft landing in the Mexican countryside. Optional walks of the grounds, and informal games. Group evening dinner to set the tone for three days of reflection and connection. Ample time to meet the new Director of Membership at EDGE and the new Finance and Operations Coordinator!
Participants can arrive any time Mexico City International Airport Benito Juárez. Transportation will be waiting to take them to the venue.
Day 1
Wednesday, 27th May: Grounding, Shared Challenges and strategies to overcome
We begin with a welcome circle and a grounding in the various contexts across the Americas. We will collectively discuss the current civic landscape, threats to democratic space, and the realities of funding social movements across the region.
From there, participants map the contradictions and systemic pressures they are experiencing at organizational, national, and personal levels and creative ways they have navigated these challenges.
The pace is intentionally slow, with a long lunch and space for one-to-one conversations. The evening stays informal, with a hang out around the fire, drinks, games and perhaps some singing for those who wish.
Day 2
Thursday, 28th May: Member-Led Learning & Collaboration
Participants then move into member-led open-space sessions, offering time to dig into pressing issues suggested by members. Some submitted so far are (final list will be shared closer to the date with participants. Once you sign up, you will be able to submit your ideas):
- how to continue funding radical movements under repression.
- fiscal sponsorship as a key tool to support unregistered or marginalized groups.
- independent revenue generation and learning about activist and impact investing as alternative financial strategies.
- divesting from traditional financial systems, and building movement infrastructure.
- internal practices like participatory operations and navigating conflict with shared values.
- strengthening regional partnerships across the Americas, sharing strategies to respond to current crises, and exploring
opportunities to finance and strengthen philanthropy in the region. - moving from competition to deep collaboration among funders to better support movements in Latin America
Day 3
Friday, 29th May: Closing & Departure
A final morning circle gathers insights, appreciations, and next steps before a shared lunch and departures back to Mexico City. We will depart at 1:00 PM. We suggest booking flights no earlier than 6pm if possible. Earlier departures are possible if needed.