Posted by Steve Mortimer


Philip Walsh is the Executive Director of Maine Initiatives, a public, community-based foundation advancing social, economic, and environmental justice in Maine through informed, intentional and collective philanthropy. 

Since 1993, Maine Initiatives has made over $3.5 million in grants to grassroots and community-based organizations in Maine. Under Phil Walsh’s leadership, Maine Initiatives is pursuing a radically-participatory approach to community philanthropy, one that seeks to go beyond money. Phil’s talk will focus on how Maine Initiatives understands and approaches the issues of justice and equity in Maine, the role of private philanthropy, and the importance of both individual and collective action.

Phil’s professional background includes over 20 years of experience designing and implementing innovative community development approaches, with a specific focus on initiatives that engage diverse stakeholders; identify the community’s human, financial, and social assets; and leverage those assets for social change.

Prior to coming to Maine with his family in 2011, Phil worked for 15 years in Latin America: as a program officer with the Inter-American Foundation, director of the Mexico Program at The Synergos Institute, and leader of Mercy Corps’ civil society strengthening program in Central America.

Phil is a graduate of James Madison University and earned a masters degree from Georgetown University. He lives in Cape Elizabeth with his wife, three daughters, and a brood of chickens. He serves on the board of directors of the Maine Philanthropy Center and is the co-chair of the Immigrant and Refugee Funders Collaborative. He is also an active supporter of Maine Adaptive and the Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England.