On the agenda was the appointment of a new chairperson. Harmienke Kloeze, executive director of CBF, succeeded Ana Benevides, who led the board for six years. The participants also took a deep dive into subjects like the strategic implications of AI, giving trends in the digital age, and the effects of government cuts.
While climate change was rearing its ugly head in the unusually hot Dutch capital, the members and the board of Charity Monitoring Worldwide went to work. On the agenda on the first day of the annual meet-up were the approval of the 2025 Annual Report, the ratification of 2025 board decisions, the approval of the financial statements and feedback on the e-learning program.
New chair appointed
The most notable item on the agenda, however, was the appointment of a new chair and vice-chair. After a six-year tenure, Ana Benavides of the Spanish organization Fundación Lealtad handed the gavel to Harmienke Kloeze, the executive director of CBF, the organizer of the board meeting. Javier Garcia Gutiérrez was appointed vice-chair.
“I am proud that over the past years we have laid a solid foundation for the organization,” said Benavides. “Structures have been put in place and we formulated criteria for CMW membership. This internal work is not visible from the outside, but that does not make it any less important. It enables the organization to now take the next steps.”
Harmienke Kloeze: “As a network, CMW is on solid footing. Now is the time to deepen our collaboration and make even better use of our collective strength. It is up to me and the rest of the board to continue the process Ana started. I am very much looking forward to it.”
Workshops on AI, aid cuts and trends in giving
Apart from housekeeping and board renewal, the members of CMW also participated in a full program of workshops. Many current topics were addressed by a roster of expert speakers. Dr. Lau Schulpen (Radboud University Nijmegen) spoke about how charities are affected by cuts in government funding. What do these cuts mean for the sector and charity monitoring organizations? René Bekkers, Professor of Philanthropy and Director of the Center for Philanthropic Studies at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, followed in his footsteps with a presentation on new trends in giving in the digital age.
On Friday, 29 May, the audience was treated to workshops on fundraising and the shifting regulatory context, and the challenge of unlocking the value of Charity Monitoring Worldwide. Furthermore, two workshops on AI prompted lively discussions. First, AI strategist for non-profits Jose Martinez discussed the strategic implications of the rise of AI in the non-profit sector. After his inspirational talk, the members of CMW discussed the questions they should ask themselves to ensure that AI is implemented effectively.
The annual meet-up ended on Saturday, 30 May, on a lighter note, with a guided tour of the Rijksmuseum.
For more information or interview requests, please contact Diana Dekker by email at media@cbf.nl
More information about Charity Monitoring Worldwide can be found at: charitymonitoringworldwide.org
