Tere Figueras Negrete

Kresge Foundation's Rip Rapson on "Honoring the gifts of American cities: Emerging themes for equitable community development" | Cross-post

The Funders Network is committed to sharing the stories and strategies of our members, partners and others in the philanthropic sector working to create more sustainable, prosperous and equitable communities.

Today, we’re sharing a blog post by Rip Rapson of The Kresge Foundation, reflecting on the themes that emerged during a series of convenings marking the foundation's 100-year anniversary.

BY Rip Rapson, President & CEO, The Kresge Foundation

A little over a year ago, I addressed 300 partners, peers and friends at Kresge’s Our Urban Future conference, the last of several events marking the Kresge Foundation’s Centennial. I told the group:  

“Let’s use our time together to fire our imagination to conceive of a bolder, more equitable urban trajectory. I am optimistic that we can do that. . . . And, under the circumstances, being anything other than an optimist strikes me as a profoundly unproductive use of our time.” 

The last year has provided innumerable invitations to pessimism, resignation, even despair. I acknowledge the accumulated and deep losses and remaining challenges, but still, I stand by the spirit of my words. We can conceive of a bolder, more equitable urban trajectory that amplifies and honors the gifts of our cities: diverse populations, neighborhood assets and unbowed civic and community leaders. We see people envisioning and implementing this trajectory every day.  

So even as we mourn the careless destruction of pillars of civil society, the families and communities destroyed by deportation, the hateful rhetoric and violent action visited upon our cities, we also hope. We hope because we know what we have done and what we can do to move toward greater equity and opportunity in cities.  

Yes, there has been whiplash around funding. Loud voices have denigrated and dismissed prior efforts, tried to erase history and stopped the flow of information that helps measure progress. But you haven’t stopped, and neither has Kresge. That’s why we’re publishing this Centennial convening summary now. The work still matters. 

When we combine what we heard during our Centennial convenings with our own understanding of how change happens in cities, we see three themes for city building and civic problem-smashing emerge. Cities need:   

• A multi-sectoral, pluralistic approach and the right leadership to organize and maintain it 

• Community self-determination and creative use of assets 

• New and strengthened systems to deliver diverse forms of capital 

Over the past year, we’ve seen continued progress on each of these themes. Our grant partners tell us they are putting more energy into convening, collective action, collaboration and building stronger networks, especially with groups that have not historically engaged with their issues.  

In the face of efforts to uproot and isolate vulnerable people and describe them as outsiders or threats, people are rallying to defend their neighbors. New communities of practice are emerging, such as one that Kresge supports to help city residents secure quality employment, improved income, and health insurance.  

As federal dollars abruptly disappear, people are imagining new ways to engage the private markets to accelerate real estate investment in disinvested areas and creating community-owned infrastructure that can operate independently of political shifts. Kresge is providing resources to nonprofits to help them become more resilient and manage their funds for longevity and impact. 

Like you, the Kresge Foundation will not deviate from our mission of strengthening the building blocks of equity and opportunity in American cities. While partners and friends might have to adjust methods or even make excruciating decisions about where to move forward and where to pause, we are all steadfast in our commitment to our shared purpose and the shared vision of our urban future.  

This summation of our Centennial year convenings, 100 Years of Grantmaking: Lessons Learned from the Kresge Foundation’s Centennial Convenings, is not a postcard from a vanished era. Instead, I hope it is a galvanizing reminder of the variety of ways that people across the country are still, continually moving every day towards great equity and opportunity, and even joy, in America’s cities.  

The work has never been easy. You are not alone. Let’s keep going together. 

Additional Resources

➡️ Read the original post and learn more about President and CEO Rip Rapson on The Kresge Foundation website.

➡️ Watch Rip Rapson deliver opening remarks at the Our Urban Future gathering in Detroit (via YouTube).

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by Tere Figueras Negrete

Urban Water Funder Updates: Dr. Robert Bullard, Chris Tomlinson and Radhika Fox join our Houston lineup

BY TFN Staff

TFN's Urban Water Funders 2026 Annual Meeting will bring together funders from across the country for an intimate, engaging and interactive convening designed to spark new ideas, build stronger partnerships and explore collaborations that meet the needs of the moment.

Water issues have a profound impact on civic life, public health, climate resilience and economic justice, especially for those in historically marginalized and vulnerable communities. Together, we’ll explore where philanthropic resources can have the greatest impact and how funders can better work together to address the opportunities and challenges our communities face.

So who will be joining us in Houston February 9-11?

Read on for agenda highlights to learn more about the thought-provoking lineup of featured speakers, strategic conversations and place-based learning we have in store. We'll also incorporate participatory facilitation methods to create a candid space to ask pressing questions and share feedback with trusted peers.  And we'll offer plenty of time for moments of inspiration, connection and joy, including our opening night dinner and lively "Fast Pitch" funder reception.

 

Feb. 9 | Day One kicks off with powerful insights from nationally-acclaimed environmental justice leader Dr. Robert Bullard, founding director of the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice and distinguished professor of urban planning and environmental policy at Texas Southern University. He'll join us as we explore how we, as funders and partners, are meeting this moment of change — individually and collectively.

 

 

 

Feb. 10 | Day Two begins with journalist and author Chris Tomlinson, who will unpack the political, social and organizing fabric that shape the south — and therefore, the country.

• We'll then depart for site visits to learn from Houston water advocates, community members and funders about the community-centered resilience work happening in the flood-prone metropolis. We’ll be joined by leaders from Houston Water to share alongside advocates about their collective OneWater efforts.
• The day will close with a lively “Fast Pitch” session, where funders share bold ideas and explore collaborative, fundable projects.

 

 

Feb. 11 | Day Three turns our lens outward, focusing on how to support movement-building across an ecosystem of diverse players, coalitions and interests.

• Funders will process the many moving efforts to build power at local and state levels and how these efforts ladder up for bigger, future progress.
• We’ll spend time diving deep into funder-led discussions focused on areas for activation, such as climate migration, data centers, implementation of federal infrastructure funding and the water workforce.
• National water leader Radhika Fox will wrap up our gathering as our final featured speaker, helping us chart a path for foundations, nonprofits and other water stakeholders to meet what lies ahead.

 

 

Newcomers are welcome! Join us if you are already engaged with TFN's Urban Water Funders working group — or are looking to learn more about us. Registration is open to donors, staff, directors and trustees of all grantmaking institutions.

Visit the Urban Water Funders 2026 Annual Meeting event page to access our draft agenda and for information on registration and lodging.

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by Tere Figueras Negrete

Partners for Places Jobs and Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative: Six Communities, $1.5 Million in Matching Grants

BY Tere Figueras Negrete, TFN Senior Communications Director

A new grant program will help communities tap the potential of infrastructure projects to drive economic growth where it’s needed most — helping scale small businesses, train and retain skilled workers, and build career pathways for young people in critical industries.  

In all, six communities will receive $1.5 million in matching grants through the Partners for Places Jobs and Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative to effectively and equitably implement public infrastructure projects across the U.S., including in rural counties, large urban cities and on Tribal lands. 

The six grantee communities are: Albuquerque, N.M.; Atlantic City, N.J.; the Kalispel Reservation near Usk, Wash.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Tucson, Ariz. 

This new initiative, a program of The Funders Network (TFN), will ensure public infrastructure projects improve communities through job creation, workforce development and training, equitable contracting and other economic benefits. 

Local partnerships are at the heart of the Partners for Places Jobs and Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative, which provides funding, technical expertise and other support for grantees as they work to complete infrastructure projects — while keeping the needs of their communities at the forefront. 

“Even with recent rollbacks in federal infrastructure funding, there are still billions of public dollars committed to community infrastructure projects across the country,” said Ann Fowler Wallace, Vice President of Programs and Partnerships for The Funders Network. “The Partners for Places Jobs and Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative brings together key partners to make sure these projects are completed in ways that center community values and voices.”  

Matthew DeNafo, president of the Atlantic County Utilities Authority, highlights the importance of the water workforce in New Jersey. Atlantic City community partners will use its Partners for Places funding to upskill and retain utility workers essential to sustaining local infrastructure. Photo credit: New Jersey Water Works Collaborative.

How will these six grantee communities use their Partners for Places Jobs and Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative grants? 

Community partners in Albuquerque will connect dozens of young people to a forestry project across urban and rural areas in Bernalillo, McKinley, and Doña Ana counties, helping them acquire skills that both create career pathways to high-quality jobs and support climate resilience in their communities. 

In Tucson, the funds will help local landscapers and arborists scale their operations and help their workers acquire the certifications needed to secure government contracts, ensuring small business owners benefit from a federally funded urban forestry project.  

Four of the grantee communities will focus on investments in water infrastructure and workforce development, creating pipelines for job opportunities and career advancement in a critical industry.   

In Milwaukee, where efforts to clean up the Milwaukee Estuary have resulted in one of the largest environmental infrastructure efforts in the country, community partners will connect residents to cleanup jobs, apprenticeships and training. 

Pittsburgh, which is tackling the largest water infrastructure modernization project in the city’s history, will use its Partners for Places Jobs and Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative funds to recruit, train and employ new pools of workers to support the project and benefit from new, family-sustaining careers.

“The strength of our infrastructure depends on the strength of our workforce,” said Rob Cherry, CEO of Partner4Work in Pittsburgh. “This investment builds pathways into high-demand careers while supporting critical projects that will keep our region running for decades to come.”    

Community partners in Atlantic City, concerned about a looming shortage in the national water labor sector as highly skilled workers retire, will use these funds to train and retain current water utility employees — expanding access to opportunities that will help them grow in their careers and sustain the local water infrastructure. 

And on the Kalispel Reservation in Washington, the Kalispel Tribe of Indians is implementing a new, sovereign drinking water system in direct response to a water supply crisis that has plagued their community with boil-water advisories, pressure failures and other issues. Community partners will use the Partners for Places Jobs and Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative funds to create both temporary construction jobs and permanent careers in water utility operation and management. 

The first round of this pilot initiative will provide $640,000 to the six grantee communities through the grant program. With contributions from local funders, a total of $1.5 million in funding will be committed to the selected communities. 

The Partners for Places Jobs and Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative is supported by the generosity of Spring Point Partners, a social impact organization that is among the more than 110 grantmaking institutions that are members of TFN. 

"We are thankful to The Funders Network for having the vision for this work and for the opportunity to support it in its initial stages," said Chetana Mirle, Interim Chief Grants Officer for Spring Point Partners.

   

Pittsburgh's plan to modernize and protect the city's drinking water system for generations to come includes a major overhaul of the Aspinwall Pump Station, including preservation of the building’s historic façade and architectural features. Construction and building trade representatives attended a kick-off event for the project in November 2025. Photo credit: Pittsburgh Water.

The Partners for Places Jobs and Inclusive Infrastructure project descriptions, grant recipients, community partners and matching funders are:  

• Albuquerque, N.M. ($110,000): To train and place youth in water and climate resilience careers through pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and partnerships with city/county infrastructure projects. Grant recipient: The Semilla Project. Community partners: PowerCorps and Coalitions & Collaboratives, Inc. Matching funder: W.K. Kellogg Foundation ($500,000). 

• Atlantic City, N.J. ($90,000): To enhance job skills in the water sector, creating economic opportunities and promoting sustainability in the Atlantic City area. Grant recipient: New Jersey Future. Community partners/ Matching funders: Atlantic County Utilities Authority, Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authority and Jersey Water Works ($55,000). 

• Kalispel Reservation near Usk, Wash. ($110,000): To create pipelines to both temporary construction jobs and permanent careers in water utility operation and management connected to a new sovereign drinking water system for the Kalispel Reservation. Grant recipient: The Kalispel Tribe. Community partner: Kalispel Department of Public Works. Matching funders: Paul Allen Foundation and Innovia Foundation ($25,000). 

• Milwaukee, Wis. ($110,000): To ensure Milwaukee’s $500 million investment in waterway restoration delivers equitable opportunity by connecting frontline residents to cleanup jobs, apprenticeships, and training. Grant recipient: Harbor District Inc. Community partners: Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and Milwaukee AOC Community Advisory Committee. Matching funder: Fund for Lake Michigan ($160,000). 

• Pittsburgh, Pa. ($110,000): To expand workforce equity by training underserved frontline communities for family-sustaining careers while supporting Pittsburgh's largest water infrastructure modernization project. Grant recipient: Partner4Work. Community partners: Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, Trade Institute of Pittsburgh, A. Philip Randolph Institute – Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Gateways. Matching funder: Henry L. Hillman Foundation ($60,000). 

• Tucson, Ariz. ($110,000): To scale local landscaping firms and certify frontline workers to secure contracts, bridging workforce training and business readiness to build Tucson’s inclusive green economy. Grant recipient: Local First Arizona Foundation. Community partners: Pascua Yaqui Development Corporation, City of Tucson and Tucson Clean and Beautiful Commission. Matching funders: Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, Arizona Community Foundation and Arizona Complete Health ($60,000). 

 

 About The Partners for Places Jobs and Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative 

The Partners for Places Jobs and Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative, a project of The Funders Network (TFN), is a matching grant program that helps community partnerships unlock public dollars, increase opportunities for small businesses, and create career pathways for local workers. 

These grants support communities that are advancing work on infrastructure projects supported by federal, state or other public dollars. This funding is not for the physical infrastructure itself, but for the human infrastructure needed to create meaningful collaborations and center community engagement.  

Through the Partners for Places Jobs and Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative, grantee communities receive investment and technical support to effectively and equitably ensure public infrastructure projects improve frontline and low-wealth communities through job creation, workforce development and training, equitable contracting, and other economic benefits. 

This new initiative is part of TFN’s broader Partners for Places community-centered matching grant program, which focuses on projects that foster long-term local relationships that make communities of all sizes more prosperous, livable and vibrant. 

To date, the Partners for Places grants program has awarded more than $13 million across North America over the past decade, leading to nearly $26 million in investments. 

For additional information and media inquiries, contact: Tere Figueras Negrete, Senior Communications Director at The Funders Network at tere@fundersnetwork.org 

 

Featured image: Matthew DeNafo, president of the Atlantic County Utilities Authority, highlights the importance of the water workforce in New Jersey at a local event. Photo credit: New Jersey Water Works Collaborative..

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by Tere Figueras Negrete

A Message from our President & CEO: With philanthropy under attack, now is the time to turn values into action — and tap into our shared strength

BY Dion Cartwright, TFN President & CEO

Philanthropy, at its best, is about turning values into action.

Protecting our planet and advocating for justice. Providing services to those most in need and helping communities recover from crises. Uplifting artistic expression, expanding opportunity and nurturing civic participation.

Every day, I witness members of this network practice their values by moving resources toward causes of critical importance.

This work is not easy. It takes collaboration, compassion and conviction.

So when I read the news about the recent presidential memorandum that unfairly casts suspicion and increased scrutiny on charitable foundations, philanthropic networks and nonprofits — institutions rooted in service, generosity and stewardship — I was both deeply concerned and deeply offended.

But definitely not surprised.

We’ve known for some time that the philanthropic sector could be targeted by an administration that has already launched a barrage of executive orders, investigations and public insults against universities, law firms and other institutions meant to instill fear and quiet dissent.

Even though the recent headlines may have confirmed what many of us suspected was coming, it brings additional stress and strain as we navigate the impacts on our organizations, grantee partners and the communities we serve.

And less time focused on the values that moved us to action in the first place.

Maybe you were inspired by your faith tradition to see a higher purpose in serving others.

Maybe you were motivated by stories of civil rights icons or labor leaders or climate activists.

Or maybe you just had a grandma who never let a hungry stranger pass by her door without offering them something to eat.

We may have arrived at this work from different places, and for different reasons. But the members of The Funders Network share a common commitment to helping create communities that are more resilient, sustainable, healthy and prosperous.

This is work that strengthens our democracy, not weakens it.

No politician, regardless of party, should be able to tell you how to direct your grantmaking or target your team because they disagree with your organization’s mission or values.

Attack on Fundamental Freedoms

The recent directive, which expands federal oversight of nonprofits and philanthropic organizations, is framed as part of a broader effort to address domestic terrorism and political violence.

But this is really an overt attempt to silence our freedom of speech and freedom to give in ways that align with our values.

Foundations and nonprofits must continue to have the freedom to direct their resources as they see fit, regardless of politics or who is in power. And no one should fear for their safety simply for expressing their views, including through peaceful protest.

We at TFN unequivocally condemn the administration’s attempts to restrict these fundamental freedoms, and we strongly object to attempts to cynically mischaracterize the critical work done by foundations and nonprofits.

We recently joined with more than 180 philanthropic institutions in condemning acts of political violence — as well as recent attacks on members of the charitable and nonprofit sector that seek to portray them as contributing to those acts of violence.

The open letter, issued by a coalition of charitable foundations and published by Unite in Advance, was spearheaded and signed by numerous organizational members of TFN.

This is just one of many examples of how our members and others in the sector are choosing to meet this moment.

Tap into TFN

Now, more than ever, we must lean into the collective wisdom, experience and strength of this network.

Across TFN, there are rich resources to draw from, including learning cohorts, working groups and peer communities that are bringing funders together.

They’re engaging in deep-dive conversations, learning sessions and one-on-one calls to untangle complex issues, share strategies and identify opportunities for collaboration and action.

There is a deep reserve of hard-earned wisdom in our ranks.

Just last week, I was on a peer community call with members who have been effectively navigating tough political climates and policies at the state and local levels for years. They gave fellow funders not only practical advice about how to face our current challenges, but also a sense of empowerment and resolve by sharing specific examples, tools and successes.

We all have something to share, and we all have something to learn.

That’s why I encourage you to deepen your engagement with TFN in this difficult moment.

Together, we can stand firm in our values, strengthen our collective impact and ensure that philanthropy continues to be a force for resilience, justice and transformation in our communities.

If you’re new to TFN, unsure how to connect with others in our network, or would like to set up a candid one-on-one call with a member of our leadership team, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at membership@fundersnetwork.org.

We’re here to help, and we would love to hear from you.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our network, and of each other.

 

Additional Resources

Statement on Political Violence and the Fundamental Freedom of Speech | Unite in Advance

Statement: Government Actions Threaten the Independence of the Philanthropic Ecosystem | United Philanthropy Forum

Increased Compliance and Risk Measures for Philanthropy Organizations

 The United Philanthropy Forum has shared these key takeaways and action steps following the recent executive memorandum. (TFN is a member of the Forum.)  

Key Provisions Affecting Philanthropy: 

• The IRS, DOJ and Treasury have been directed to increase monitoring of tax-exempt organizations for potential involvement — direct or indirect — in activities linked to domestic terrorism or organized political violence.

• Nonprofits, funders, boards and employees may be investigated if suspected of providing support or coordinating with such entities domestically or internationally.

• Agencies are expected to review existing and prospective grants, partnerships and programs for compliance, with a focus on preventing illicit funding or association with groups designated as involved in criminal activity or terrorism.

• While the memorandum does not itself create new compliance rules, it signals a shift toward heightened oversight and enforcement.

Potential Action Steps for Foundations: 

• Review current risk and compliance practices related to grantmaking, partnerships and political activities.

• Update internal policies and procedures to anticipate strengthened federal oversight.

• Increase training and guidance for foundation staff and boards on compliance and transparency.

For additional advice on compliance and risk measures for foundations, visit the United Philanthropy Forum's Executive Actions Impacting the Philanthropic and Nonprofit Sectors. 

 

About the Author

Dion Cartwright is the president and CEO of The Funders Network, Dion first joined TFN in 2016 to direct the PLACES Fellowship program and lead the organization’s work to address equity, inclusion, and structural racism. Visit our team page to learn more about Dion and the rest of our staff at TFN.

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by Tere Figueras Negrete

Statement on Political Violence and the Fundamental Freedom of Speech: TFN joins more than 100 philanthropic organizations in open letter published by Unite in Advance

BY TFN Staff

The Funders Network has joined more than 100 philanthropic institutions in condemning acts of political violence — as well as recent attacks on members of the charitable and nonprofit sector that seek to portray them as contributing to those acts of violence.

The open letter issued by a coalition of charitable foundations, including numerous members of TFN, was published Wednesday by Unite in Advance.

"Organizations should not be attacked for carrying out their missions or expressing their values in support of the communities they serve. We reject attempts to exploit political violence to mischaracterize our good work or restrict our fundamental freedoms, like freedom of speech and the freedom to give," reads the statement.

"Attempts to silence speech, criminalize opposing viewpoints, and misrepresent and limit charitable giving undermine our democracy and harm all Americans."

TFN stands in solidarity with our members and others in the sector committed to creating communities that are more prosperous, sustainable and just, and rejects divisive efforts to impede this critical work.

We've shared the full statement below.

➡️ To read the letter along with the full list of signatories, visit the Unite in Advance post on Medium here. 

Additional Resources

➡️ In the news: 100-Plus Foundations Stand United as White House Goes on the Attack by the Chronicle of Philanthropy's Alex Daniels.

➡️ About Unite In Advance: Read this Nonprofit Quarterly piece by Tonya Allen of the McKnight Foundation, Deepak Bhargava of the Freedom Together Foundation, and John Palfrey of the MacArthur Foundation.

Statement on Political Violence and the Fundamental Freedom of Speech

Published by Unite in Advance

“Acts of political violence — from the recent murder of Charlie Kirk to the murder of Speaker Emeritus Melissa Hortman of Minnesota — have no place in our democracy. Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of those lost to these senseless attacks, and we extend our deepest sympathy in the face of unimaginable pain.

Our country is built on the premise that everyone has the right to express themselves, even when others don’t agree with or like what they say. No one should fear for their safety simply for expressing their views. We must all forcefully condemn these heinous acts as affronts to the fundamental principles and health of our nation — and as charitable giving organizations, including those working in communities impacted by these tragedies, we do.

Our organizations are composed of people working to strengthen communities. We support our neighbors when they are in need and remain committed to uniting across divides and partisanship. Philanthropy exists to bring people together, not drive them apart.

Organizations should not be attacked for carrying out their missions or expressing their values in support of the communities they serve. We reject attempts to exploit political violence to mischaracterize our good work or restrict our fundamental freedoms, like freedom of speech and the freedom to give. Attempts to silence speech, criminalize opposing viewpoints, and misrepresent and limit charitable giving undermine our democracy and harm all Americans.

At a moment that is fragile and fraught, we must rise to the higher standard we all collectively desire. Now is a moment for leadership that drives unity rather than sows further division. Our organizations will continue focusing on helping people across all backgrounds, geographies, ideologies, and belief systems, to heal, thrive, and live peacefully together, protected by the freedoms guaranteed in our Constitution."

"Amuurica!" by Katherine Albin is licensed under CC BY-ND

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by Tere Figueras Negrete

New Funding Opportunity: Partners for Places Jobs and Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative

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by Tere Figueras Negrete

Statements of Solidarity & Resources for the Sector

BY TFN Staff

TFN originally shared this statement on June 10, 2025, in solidarity with those peacefully protesting ICE raids and militarization of our communities in L.A. and elsewhere. Below is a round-up of solidarity statements and resources from TFN members and others in the sector. To add your organization's statement or resources to this list, please reach out to Brooke McPherson at brooke@fundersnetwork.org

The California Endowment

The California Wellness Foundation

Community Partners

The James Irvine Foundation

Latino Community Foundation

Liberty Hill Foundation

Hispanics in Philanthropy

Philanthropy CA

San Francisco Foundation

Sierra Health Foundation and The Center

Joint statement from California for Prosperity and Affordability

 

Additional Resources: 

Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees’ 100 Days In: A Roadmap for Funding Migrant Justice captures the philanthropic and movement efforts in support of immigrant and refugee communities that have sprung up across the country.

 

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by Tere Figueras Negrete

TFN Statement: In solidarity with those defending immigrant communities & fundamental human rights

BY TFN Staff

TFN originally shared this statement on June 10, 2025. Please read our companion blog post for a round-up of solidarity statements and resources from TFN members and others in the sector.

The Funders Network stands in solidarity with those in California and elsewhere who are organizing, resisting and mobilizing in defense of immigrant communities and fundamental human rights.

What has unfolded in recent days across Los Angeles is both heartbreaking and deeply alarming.

This is not about politics or policy debates. This is about dignity, safety and the right to live free from fear.

The xenophobic and aggressive tactics we are witnessing represent a dangerous escalation that inflicts lasting trauma, destroys trust, and tears families and communities apart.

The Funders Network, including our Smart Growth California initiative, remains committed to supporting movements for justice, equity and belonging.

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by Tere Figueras Negrete