EDGE Americas Retreat 2026 – Interrupting Business as Usual: Admitting We Do Not Know

“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 one constant remains: creating space where relationships can grow, collaborations can begin, and new ideas can emerge. This year we arrive carrying the burnout, and heaviness of a world unraveling alongside the ever-present demand for philanthropy to step up against its own constraints. We are also arriving with the humility of not knowing for sure what can work to make changes but with the openness to hear strategies from one another.

📅 From Tuesday, May 26th to Friday, May 29th, 2026.  

📍Hacienda Compostela,  San Agustín Buenavista, Mexico. 

OVERALL OBJECTIVES

  1. Meet new EDGE members that can be collaborators and allies in topical work or overall advocacy in the sector
  2. 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
  3. 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

Agenda Overview

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.

Optional evening activities close the day.

Day 3

Friday, 29 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.