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.
Naomi Friedman, writing for the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, presents a framework for understanding the connections between energy and land use that focuses on two primary issues: 1) how to build, which involves neighborhood and building design, and 2) where to build, meaning that location matters. She also suggests ways for funders to help accelerate the merger of these fields.
Translation Paper
20 Pages
2003
A team of writers with public health and smart growth expertise observe that in recent years, sprawling development patterns have drawn increasing scrutiny because of their potential negative impacts on public health. The authors give examples of promising practices to promote health through smarter growth policies and practices, and provide useful funder references on the topic.
Examples From The Field
6 Pages
2002
An examination of smart growth's relationship to public health through air quality, urban environmental issues and environmental justice, and physical activity levels.
Writer Rachel Peterson and researcher William Eisenstein explore the concept of ecologically healthy cities. Far more than adorning with trees and plants, it is the density of cities that has become essential to nature's survival. Although many leading environmental groups can certainly be found under the smart growth tent, in local land use debates it is often environmentalists who balk in their support. This paper serves to help bridge the gap between environmentalism and smart growth.
Translation Paper
24 Pages
2002
Gloria Ohland and Hank Dittmar, writing for the Great American Station Foundation, argue that the greatest threats to biodiversity are habitat loss and degradation, and invasive species—all of which are strongly correlated with sprawl. Smart growth policies alone will not provide the solution, but combined with “smart conservation” they can provide for both more development and more habitat protection.
Examples From The Field
3 Pages
2001
The William Penn Foundation designed a new program structure, in part, to facilitate a more coordinated, cross-discipline approach to the Foundation's smart growth grantmaking.
