The Funders’ Network exists to inspire, strengthen and expand funding and philanthropic leadership that yield environmentally sustainable, socially equitable and economically prosperous regions and communities.
As part of its 10th anniversary, the Funders’ Network commissioned this compilation of essays from leading thinkers in the movement for smarter growth that challenge philanthropy to think about its role over the next 10 years.
Examples From The Field|Special Report
24 Pages
2009
Catherine Porter, in this guide for place-based foundations interested in engaging in climate change, offers strategies for understanding the current situation and opportunities for action. She features a number of voices from funders already working in this area.
Examples From The Field
2 Pages
2007
The Fairfield County Community Foundation has become a strong leader and role model—breaking down silos among housing, workforce development, and transportation.
Examples From The Field|Special Report
12 Pages
2006
Based on interviews with 12 community foundations from across North America, this report describes new ways that community foundations are improving the areas in which they live and do their work. By taking on issues such as jobs, economic development, land use, transportation, housing, urban/suburban equity (and disparities), and conservation—many community foundations have created powerful levers for improving their local communities, and their own institutions.
Examples From The Field|Special Report
137 Pages
2005
This report documents ways foundations can support better planning and decision making to improve communities and regions. It includes 21 case studies designed to inspire and inform new efforts to advance social, environmental, and economic justice in neighborhoods and regions across North America.
As part of its 10th anniversary, the Funders’ Network commissioned this series of reflections to tell stories from our membership and provide examples about the range of tools funders are employing and the impacts they’re achieving. Researched and written by Neil F. Carlson.
Special Report
20 Pages
2008
This guide focuses on the intersection of race, class, and access to opportunity with growth/ development decisions made by governments, private developers, and nonprofit organizations. It’s intended to assist funders in making decisions to provide more philanthropic resources for projects and efforts that are transformative in nature, resulting in the reduction of local and regional disparities; the development of leadership opportunities across a range of communities; and the advancement of strategies that simultaneously benefit people and place.
Examples From The Field
4 Pages
2007
This unprecedented, multi-year initiative to tackle heart disease and preventable cancer in Minnesota uses community funding efforts to spread active living principles and achieve positive health outcomes.
Examples From The Field
10 Pages
2005
There are creative ways to counter sprawling development patterns by building healthy, vibrant neighborhoods with a mix of land uses and affordable homes/apartments—both advancing housing goals and promoting smarter growth patterns.
Examples From The Field
20 Pages
2005
Nadejda Mishkovsky of the International City/County Management Association provides an overview of local government structure and leadership; outside influences on local government; key roles that local government departments can play in furthering smarter growth policies and practices at the community level; and options that funders could consider to help advance collaboration among the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
