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
Nov 12, 2025 - Author Talk: 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.
This program is for Rachel’s Network Members and Invited Guests.
December 4, 2025 - Catalyzing Conversation: Moving Like Water with Ayanna Jolivet Mccloud
Bayou City Waterkeeper (BCWK) in Houston, TX doesn’t just protect the city’s waterways and the communities that depend on it, they model their operations on nature itself. “We are inspired by the dynamism of water and the shape-shifting nature of our bayous and their floodplains,” they write. “As keepers of the waters, we embrace movement and adaptability in our work. Reciprocity is also central in our relationships with people and nature.”
Join us to hear from 2024 Catalyst Awardee Ayanna Jolivet Mccloud the executive director of BCWK, on her work to hold polluters accountable, protect wetlands, and center environmental and climate justice in the fifth-most populous metro area in the US. Ayanna’s unique approach to this work through de-jargonizing water policy and incorporating visual art has earned her many accolades. She has much to share about effective and creative approaches to water justice advocacy.
This virtual program will take place from 2-3:15 pm ET
REGISTER HERE
May 4-6, 2026 - Rachel's Network 2026 Spring Meeting
Rachel’s Network 2026 Spring Meeting: Building a Just, Green Future in Detroit
Dates: May 4-6, 2026
Location: Detroit, MI
“The Motor City” played a key role in the industrialization of America throughout the 20th century. While the auto industry is often credited with expanding the middle class, it also brought economic and environmental devastation in its wake. That damage fell primarily on Detroit’s majority-Black population who also faced rampant housing and job discrimination and deteriorating public services as white residents left for the suburbs.
The scars of segregation and industrialization remain palpable in Detroit, but the city has also been rapidly changing into something new. Its residents, rooted in a deep love for their city, are coaxing a better future into existence. Join Rachel’s Network in May to learn from local women environmental leaders and see Detroit’s just green transformation firsthand. The meeting will also include ample opportunities for community-building with fellow funders and advocates.
This program is for Rachel’s Network Members and Invited Guests.
June 17, 2026 - Suffs, A Broadway Tour Experience in Washington, DC
Suffs, A Broadway Tour Experience for Women Leaders
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Washington, DC
A musical event one hundred years in the making, Suffs brings to life a complicated chapter in the ongoing battle for the right to vote: the American women’s suffrage movement. Written by one of the most exciting voices in theater, Shaina Taub, the musical takes an unflinching look at the unsung trailblazers whose activism led to the ratification of the nineteenth amendment. A thrilling story of brilliant, flawed women working against and across generational, racial, and class divides, Suffs explores the victories and failures of a fight for equality that is still far from over.
Join Rachel’s Network for a touring performance of Suffs, and a pre-show dinner at a walkable restaurant from the theatre.
This program is for Rachel’s Network Members and Invited Guests.
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.