Partners for Places: How Toledo developed a sustainability plan with—not for—a historic neighborhood

When the Toledo-Lucas Sustainability Commission wanted to bring its newly adopted “Going Beyond Green” (GBG) sustainability plan to life, the Toledo Community Foundation (TCF) knew just the place for a pilot. TCF connected the sustainability commission to the Old West End Neighborhood Initiative (OWENI), a group of resident leaders representing the Old West End, a neighborhood once home to the…

Diversity is nature’s greatest strength—it should be ours, too.

“Strength in Diversity,” proclaimed the Bugler, the newsletter I picked up at Olympic National Park in Washington State. I’d taken advantage of the opportunity to explore the Pacific Northwest before our 16 fellows arrived in Seattle and Tacoma for our second PLACES gathering, and it was as if the work had started a week early. The stunning density of the Hoh Rain Forest revealed its layers to…

Register Now! Uncertain Waters: Disasters and the Needs of Vulnerable Populations

Harvey. Irma. Maria. As the United States and the Caribbean grapple with one of the most devastating Atlantic hurricane seasons in recent history, the impact of these storms raise important questions about disaster preparation, relief and recovery – especially for vulnerable and marginalized communities. Do our most vulnerable neighbors – including low-income households, immigrant communities,…

Hurricane Irma: How Funders Can Help

As many of you know, the Miami office of the Funders’ Network has been closed as our South Florida staff prepared for Hurricane Irma and its aftermath. And while I’m pleased to report that our office fully reopened today — and our staff and their families are safe and secure — we know that the road to recovery for many affected by Hurricane Irma will be a long and complicated task. The most…

Preparing for Hurricane Irma: A message from TFN

With the extraordinarily large and intense Hurricane Irma drawing closer to South Florida, the Miami headquarters of the Funders' Network are currently closed. Our staff has been working diligently this week to safely prepare our offices, as well as their homes, pets and families, in advance of the storm. If you need immediate assistance, please contact Director of Programs Ann Fowler Wallace,…

Hurricane Harvey: How To Help (Updated)

Richard Carson/Reuters Hurricane Harvey, the first major hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. since 2005, has led to catastrophic and deadly flooding across an enormous swath of Texas. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by Harvey in Houston and across the region. We invite you to join Tuesday's webinar, Hurricane Harvey Recovery: How Donors Can Help, organized by The Center…

Speaking out against hate: Our response to Charlottesville, and what our funders are saying

Photo Credit: The New Yorker At the Funders’ Network, we have long adhered to the fundamental values that guide us as an organization: A belief that philanthropy is uniquely positioned to help create communities that are more sustainable, economically prosperous and equitable. As a non-partisan organization that encourages robust discussion and respect of various points of view, we recognize…

5 Things You Didn’t Know About PLACES

Grow your network. Lead the way. Be the change. Our PLACES Fellowship is a transformational leadership development experience that gives professionals in philanthropy the tools, knowledge, and best practices needed to embed an equity lens into their work. PLACES fellows embark on a year-long process focused on creating more equitable neighborhoods and communities — and learning how to turn…

Linking Water, Equity, and Smart Growth in Los Angeles

On July 7th, 2017, the Los Angeles Funders’ Collaborative hosted its third annual funders’ lunch  in partnership with Southern California Grantmakers. This year’s event focused on the intersection of water, equity, and smart growth-related issues. Twenty-one funders attended the lunch, including several who already work on water-related issues, including including S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation,…