BY Kerry Hastings, Program Coordinator of TFN’s Urban Water Funders

Last month, philanthropic leaders from across the country gathered in Baltimore for the TFN’s 25th Anniversary Conference, united under the theme Be Bold Together. It was an energizing space where funders from diverse issue areas explored the intersections of equity, sustainability, economic development, public health and democracy. For those of us working in the urban water space, it reaffirmed what we all know — that water is not just an environmental issue, it is deeply connected to every aspect of community well-being. 

One of the most resonant calls to action came from keynote speaker Maya Wiley, a lawyer, professor and civil rights activist who is president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. She challenged us to find our fight and lean in. I pose this challenge to myself, to you, to us: what is the fight that will define our collective work in this moment? How can we come together to not only ensure our grantees and the field survive today’s challenges but also position them for long-term victory? These are questions we must grapple with as we navigate an increasingly complex and urgent landscape. 

We kicked off our time together with a pre-conference tour — co-hosted by the US Water Alliance — at WSSC Water, a local utility in the region. WSSC has an excellent track record in providing clean water and in prioritizing community service and engagement, and the engaging tour at their facilities reminded us that water utilities can serve as anchor institutions in advancing public health and economic opportunity.  

After the tour, we gathered with local nonprofit partners to discuss the realities facing the urban water landscape. A key insight came from Melissa Roberts of the American Flood Coalition, who reminded us to tread thoughtfully as we defend systems that were already broken. How do we center our defense on people and outcomes while reenvisioning the systems that have not best served communities before this moment? This perspective is critical as we work to address long-standing inequities in infrastructure, access, and resilience. 

As the same session, we discussed communicating the nonpartisan nature of water. Alana Harkness of Great Lakes ReNew underscored that water security is national security, and the importance of emphasizing how economic supply chains depend on water security. Water sits at the intersection of environment and economy, making cross-sector collaboration not just beneficial, but essential. 

Speaking of collaboration, we heard a loud call for new partnerships throughout the conference. We cannot navigate this moment alone siloed in our water spaces. To build a durable coalition, we must look beyond traditional water funding spaces and align with other sectors that share a vision for equity and sustainability. One example of the Urban Water Funders doing just this was at the post-conference session co-hosted by TFN’s Inclusive Economies and UWF working groups. We hosted an incredible panel talking about the work ahead in advancing inclusive infrastructure workforce and economic development and launched the new Partners for Places track that will focus on water and other infrastructure sectors in the economic development and workforce spaces…be on the lookout for more information!  

Our challenges are many: combating misinformation, preventing further fracturing and silos, and protecting critical infrastructure amid an uncertain funding landscape. As funders, we must stay vigilant in finding opportunities to secure resources for water, including upcoming policy opportunities like the Transportation Bill in 2026, State Revolving Fund Reauthorization in 2026, and tax credits within the tax package, all of which non-profit partners have begun to explore as avenues for water investments (we’ll share when we have more information!). But beyond funding, we must also invest in movement building and coordination. This work cannot be sustained without intentional efforts to strengthen the field. 

Above all, we must embrace creativity in the face of necessity. TFN President and CEO Dion Cartwright, put it best: “Don’t ask ‘Can I withstand this time?’ but instead ‘What will I stand for?’ and ‘Who will I stand with?’” 

As we move forward, let’s embrace the call to be bold together. Let’s define our fight, commit to a shared vision, and ensure that the communities we serve have the resources and support they need to thrive — not just today, but for generations to come. 

About the Author

Kerry Hastings is the Program Coordinator for TFN’s Urban Water Funders Working Group.