Urban Water Funders Annual Convening

→ REGISTER NOW!

Come and strategize with other water funders in Los Angeles Jan. 30-31!

With the billions of dollars flowing into water infrastructure, funders are overwhelmed by the amount of information coming at them. Funders need space for sense-making to generate ideas to overcome barriers, and strategize with other funders on how to collaborate and align to support a powerful ecosystem advancing water justice.

On the first day of our convening, we will dive deep with local water leaders in Los Angeles to learn from the work they have been doing for several years to equip frontline and under-resourced communities to access and influence water infrastructure project dollars.

On day two, we will give you the space you crave to brainstorm with your colleagues on the unique and strategic role that you, as a funder, can play in this moment. Our sessions will explore:

• A deepened understanding of the national water ecosystem and how funders can cultivate coordination and cooperation among stakeholders as opposed to competition
• Integrating bottom-up and top-down strategies to prioritize monies flowing to the communities that need them most
• How to hold the tension of addressing both short-term needs of this moment as well as a long-term lens towards building community power and systems that work for the future
• The limitations of the current water infrastructure financing system and opportunities to use this surge of federal money to unlock new potential rather than anchor current systems that are ineffective

→ REGISTER NOW!

Keynote Speaker

We have an update about the Keynote Speaker at our upcoming Annual Convening Jan. 30-31. Radhika Fox is no longer able to join us, but Jonathan Nelson, Senior Advisor for the USEPA will be joining us in her stead! You can read more about Jonathan below. 

Jonathan Nelson is the Senior Advisor for Technical Assistance and Community Engagement at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water. The Office of Water works to ensure that drinking water is safe, wastewater is safely returned to the environment, and surface waters are properly managed and protected. Prior to joining the EPA, Jonathan served as the Policy Director for the Community Water Center. He is a nationally recognized expert on strategies to secure access to safe and affordable drinking water for underserved communities, building resilient drinking water institutions, and growing trust and partnership with frontline community water leaders.

Jonathan will share his unique perspective bringing a community organizing background to the EPA and how his role overseeing technical assistance will support the equitable distribution of federal dollars. He will help us draw connections between the federal level down to local, community-driven efforts and deepen our thinking on where the biggest gaps and opportunities lie for philanthropy’s investment.

 Agenda Overview

→View the detailed agenda HERE

 Location & Lodging

The first day of our convening will be held at the DoubleTree, Little Tokyo, and the second day on the beautiful campus of The California Endowment in downtown Los Angeles.

The Funders Network will not be reserving a block of rooms for this meeting; however, we recommend the following hotels all located in downtown Los Angeles:

• Double Tree, Little Tokyo (preferred hotel)
• Ace Hotel
• The Biltmore Hotel

 Health & Safety

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, The Funders Network is committed to implementing appropriate policies and taking necessary actions to create a safe and comfortable meeting environment, and to the extent possible, protect the health of everyone who attends or participates in TFN events.

TFN has adopted the following Health and Safety Protocols for all upcoming Network gatherings and events, including convenings of our working groups, PLACES Fellowship and Alumni Network, and TFN Board of Directors.

TFN reserves the right to implement additional measures to support a successful gathering and safeguard the health and safety of all individuals involved in Network events. TFN’s COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols apply to every person attending or participating in TFN events, including but not limited to, registered and unregistered attendees, speakers, and TFN staff, consultants and volunteers. TFN reserves the right to prohibit entry to any individual who fails to abide by these protocols, including providing required documentation.

Thank you!