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.
This statement from the Funders’ Network affirms our belief that reversing global warming must include better land-use solutions. It describes what the Network, in collaboration with others, intends to do to encourage philanthropic leadership in climate change solutions.
Examples From The Field
12 Pages
2005
Gary Moll and Jeff Olson from American Forests provide a road map and tools for improving urban environments and making cities better places to live by fitting natural resources more effectively into city infrastructure. City trees comprise an urban forest that can be thought of as a city's green infrastructure.
Translation Paper
20 Pages
2004
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.
Special Report
44 Pages
2003
Authors John Parr and Nick Bollman identify the characteristics associated with "metropolitan regional grantmaking." The monograph includes 17 case studies of foundations that reflect these characteristics in varying ways.
Translation Paper
16 Pages
2001
Deborah Howe of Portland State University posits that the sprawling, automobile-dominated landscape prevalent throughout the U.S. seriously limits the continued mobility and independence of older people. She advocates transforming our communities so that they are aging-sensitive, making it possible for people to maintain their health and independence even as needs change.
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.
Translation Paper
20 Pages
2005
A team from the Center for Clean Air Policy explores the connection between land development patterns, transportation patterns, and air pollution, and how growing smarter can lead to better air quality.
Special Report
19 Pages
2004
Eric Siy of the Global Innovations Group, describes how mounting threats to quality of life—pollution, crowding, traffic, economic decay, and sprawl—link smart growth and sustainability advocates across continents. In search of solutions, this paper looks detailed case studies of the promising work done by the European Union (EU) and four of its member states.
Examples From The Field
5 Pages
2002
A summary of the Surdna Foundation’s special initiative on smart growth and community livability in New Jersey, Maryland, New Mexico, and the Salt Lake City region. The intent was to foster good examples of smart growth in a variety of geographic and organizational contexts and share learning. Here’s a longer, 122-page 'lessons learned' report on this initiative entitled 5Livability and Smart Growth.
Translation Paper
16 Pages
2001
Authors Don Chen and Nancy Jakowitsch argue that current transportation policies are not moving toward improved community outcomes. They discuss the origins and achievements of the transportation reform movement, the current “tipping point,” and steps that can translate this potential into monumental change.
