BY Brooke McPherson, TFN’s Senior Communications and Engagement Associate
Each year, Water Week brings together leaders from across the country to elevate the most pressing water challenges and the community-driven solutions shaping the path forward. Across TFN’s Urban Water Funders working group, that shows up as a focus on leadership, shared learning and creating space for funders to engage more deeply in the work.
One way that comes to life is through the Ladder Up Video Series. Hosted by TFN’s Kerry Hastings, this series features short conversations with leaders working at the intersection of water, equity and community power. It’s designed to be practical and accessible — surfacing real-world insights that funders can learn from and apply. Whether you’ve been engaged in Urban Water Funders for years or are just starting to explore water funding, Ladder Up offers an easy entry point.
That spirit of learning and connection carried through the recent Urban Water Funders 2026 Annual Convening in Houston, where funders came together to exchange ideas, build relationships and reflect on philanthropy’s role in advancing equitable water solutions. As we shared in our LinkedIn recap, one theme stood out: progress depends on staying rooted in community, responsive to place, and committed to long-term partnership.
Those ideas also show up in reflections from the The Kresge Foundation’s CREWS Convening in New Orleans, where participants explored what it means to stay grounded in people, place and purpose while navigating complex environmental challenges. Together, these moments reflect a broader shift — one where funders are learning alongside communities, not just supporting them.
Looking ahead, the Urban Water Funders are also creating space for forward-looking conversation. National water leader Radhika Fox will join Yeou-Rong Jih of The Kresge Foundation for a discussion on where water policy and practice are headed.
Drawing on experience across utilities, nonprofits, philanthropy and government — including her leadership at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Fox will share perspectives on what it takes to shape a more resilient and equitable water future. Click here to learn more and register.
TFN’s Urban Water Funders will also be at River Rally 2026 (May 11–14 in San Antonio, TX), offering another opportunity to connect with peers and stay engaged in the work.
During Water Week, we’re spotlighting work already helping move the field forward. Ladder Up is one of those efforts — sharing ideas, elevating leaders and connecting funders to what’s next in the field.