Programs and Events
Our in-person gatherings and virtual programs educate our network on environmental issues and philanthropy, elevate and support women leaders, and build community. Events with registration links below are open to the public. To access more programs, sign up for our newsletter or become a Rachel’s Network funder.
Upcoming Events
June 5, 2025 - Catalyzing Conversation: A Resilient Blue Economy with Jhana Young
Hawai‘i is considered by scientists to be one of the invasive species capitals of the world, with more than 5,000 non-native plants and animals that cost the state tens of millions of dollars each year. In a bid to decrease dependence on seafood imports, the government introduced several species of fish to the islands’ waters in the 1950s and 1960s—including a bluestripe snapper known locally as taʻape which would become so abundant that it would spread throughout the entire Hawaiian archipelago.
2024 Catalyst Awardee Jhana Young, senior manager of sustainable seafood initiatives at Conservation International Haiwai’i, is doing something about it. By working with fishers, seafood businesses, chefs, restaurants, and media, she’s boosting market demand for taʻape and reducing seafood waste in Hawaiʻi. Join this Rachel’s Network webinar to learn how Jhana and her team are building food security and a resilient blue economy in Haiwai’i.
June 26, 2025 - Growing Community with Urban Growers Collective
Urban Growers Collective is a Black- and women-led nonprofit in Chicago that cultivates eight urban farms on 11 acres of land. They work to build a more just and equitable local food system and cultivate nourishing environments which support health, economic development, healing, and creativity. Their job training programs support youth and beginner BIPOC farmers, while mitigating food insecurity and limited access to affordable, culturally-affirming, and nutritionally-dense food.
Gather with Rachel’s Network and fellow women environmental leaders to see the work of Urban Growers Collective up close. This day-long program includes community building activities, meetings with Chicago-area environmental funders and leaders, and a tour of urban farming campuses, including the Midwest’s only anaerobic digester. Participants will come away inspired by the work happening in Chicago and learn how to support initiatives like this in their own communities.
Sept 14-17, 2025 - Rachel's Network 2025 Fall Funders Retreat
Rachel’s Network travels to Montana to learn from the women environmental leaders who are protecting and stewarding this special place. The retreat will also include ample opportunities for community-building with fellow funders.
Sept 23, 2025 - Catalyzing Conversation with Marissa Merculieff
Marissa is an enrolled tribal member of the federally recognized tribe the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island in the Bering Sea. As the director of the Office of Justice and Governance Administration for the Tribal Government of St. Paul, she represents the tribal government on a national level in the effort to build and enhance self-governance, economic strength and stability, and secure health and welfare resources for the Aleut people. She focuses primarily on fisheries, negotiation and administration of self-governance programs, and federal and state policies that may affect the tribe.
October 9, 2025 - Catalyst Award Announcement
Join our livestream as we announce the recipients of the Rachel’s Network 2025 Catalyst Award.
Sep 30, Oct 14, Oct 28, & Nov 12, 2025 - Book Club: The Big We by Hali Lee
Philanthropy is usually seen as something exclusive to individuals with financial wealth, but Radiant Strategies Founder Hali Lee wants to change that. In her book The Big We, she argues that the future of philanthropy belongs to community action, specifically giving circles—groups of people who come together to pool their resources to make positive change. Born of traditions of generosity rooted in many of our ancestral cultures, giving circles help us address the many problems we face by learning, acting, and giving together.
To learn more about any of our events, email Program Director Jamie Boese.
Rachel’s Network strives to cultivate bonds that enable us to grow with and learn from one another, and we celebrate our unique differences. We are committed to safe and inclusive gatherings for all attendees. We can build a stronger community when we approach our interactions with empathy and kindness. We ask that participants in our meetings review our tips for making Rachel’s Network a welcoming space.
Past Programs & Events
Multi-Day Programs
Rachel’s Network multi-day programs bring funders and advocates together to network, learn about environmental issues, and engage with community leaders. Past programs have included annual meetings (Seattle; Washington, DC); and retreats and excursions (Yosemite National Park; Durham; Argentina).
Educational Webinars
We believe in the power of women, particularly women of color, to create and nurture a healthy environment for all. We elevate their work in webinars throughout the year and also co-host webinars with values-aligned organizations.
Catalyst Community Gatherings
Rachel’s Network hosts gatherings focused on care and restoration for women environmental leaders of color, as part of our Catalyst Award program. These retreats serve as a vital space for leaders to connect with each other and foster their wellbeing.
In-Person Events
Rachel’s Network has hosted a variety of in-person events, including networking programs on environmental policy at our DC office, a trip to see the Broadway musical Suffs, a lunch with climate leaders in California, book launch parties, and much more.
Virtual Book Clubs
Roughly twice a year, we host a series of small-group discussions on books written by women environmentalists. The authors themselves sometimes join us during the concluding meeting. To see all our past book club picks (plus others recommended by our community), click here.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Guided by our commitment to racial justice, we provide resources, trainings, and programs for funders to engage in anti-racist philanthropy and grow as allies through our JEDI Warriors program, a small-group learning journey.