BY Kerry Hastings, Program Coordinator, TFN’s Urban Water Funders
The US Water Alliance’s One Water Summit from July 7-11 in Pittsburgh offered more than just sessions and panels — it was a powerful reminder of the importance of human connection and cross-sector collaboration in shaping a more equitable water future.
Throughout the week, I connected with funders, nonprofit leaders, utility staff and even corporate representatives who are working at the intersection of water, equity and climate resilience. One message came through loud and clear: we don’t have a shortage of technical knowledge — we have a shortage of collaboration.
That’s a challenge — and an opportunity. How can philanthropy support the alignment needed to unlock the potential of our collective work?
I also left wondering: Are we engaging corporate funders as deeply as we could? The Summit surfaced interest and energy from private-sector partners, and I’m curious how we might cultivate them as co-investors with the Urban Water Funders in a just and sustainable water future.
In-person convenings like this one also offer something that Zoom never can: the chance to deepen relationships and build trust. Our funder breakfast on Friday brought together 20 participants to talk candidly about how we better communicate and align in this moment of flux. And a happy hour hosted by the BHP Foundation turned into an honest conversation about the quirks and challenges of philanthropy — something our nonprofit partners told us they deeply appreciated.
There was also beauty and joy. A standout session on narrative and storytelling, an electrifying performance from Britton and the Sting and an impromptu dance party that reminded us why we’re in this together. I left with the question: How do we better integrate arts and storytelling into our collective strategy, and align it around a unified message?
As we move forward with our own work at The Funders Network — including a new initiative focused on inclusive infrastructure — I’m carrying these reflections and questions with me. And I’m grateful to the US Water Alliance for creating the space to explore them together.