DREAM’s Post

The global landscape for civil society funding is shifting – and not for the better. Policies that restrict funding, silence critical voices, and erode democratic values are becoming more widespread. From the Netherlands to Sweden and beyond, governments are cutting international civil society funding under the guise of ‘budget efficiency’ and ‘reform’—but the impact is clear: it’s a setback for democracy and solidarity.

Take 5 minutes to complete these short questions by 4/26 to connect with NJ funders. Fill this out if your group is led by members of the communities you serve and you see your work as community organizing centered on racial equity. https://bit.ly/446EKOO

SSIR’s Summer ’24 Issue goes online next week with a cover story critique of strategic philanthropy from two longtime proponents. Plus: Lessons from successful public-private partnerships; communities revitalizing parks and strengthening democracy; and businesses applying a regeneration model to save the planet. Don’t miss a case study highlighting how the JED foundation uses a systems change approach to address America’s youth mental health crisis; viewpoints on the dangers of a fully cashless economy and using traditional agricultural practices in Brazil; and promising innovations to address affordable housing shortages in Paris, job security after incarceration, disability justice in the US South; and more. 💻 Subscribe now for complete online access: https://lnkd.in/eTRxhPWe  ✍ Sign up for our e-newsletter for updates on the new issue, new online stories, and more: https://lnkd.in/gYk49K9z ⏩ Send this post to someone you think will want to read the new issue of SSIR!

Sharing Our Latest Grantmaking Insights ⤵️ In our latest grantmaking report, we wanted to learn about the impact of general operating support on our grantee partners—specifically how it has impacted our partners' racial equity work. What We Learned: Achieving #RacialEquity is a process and an outcome—for us and our partners. Read more about this insight and more in our report, General Operating Support in Action: 2022-2023 Grantmaking Report and Insights: https://bit.ly/3KLrxCe Plus, we invite our local and national funder peers to take a look at a special report summary that may be relevant and beneficial to their work: https://bit.ly/3zgQyCO

"Unlike traditional planning approaches that primarily focus on addressing immediate issues, this foresight map goes further by identifying external trends, forces, risks, and opportunities that we are likely to face on the path to a more child-centered future. The map features ten forecasts for the year 2035, describing potential outcomes based on various strategic choices and actions that stakeholders may take over the next decade, within the broader context of social, natural and technological changes that are already influencing our present conditions. By projecting the potential impacts of short- and long-term actions over a ten-year horizon, the map encourages changemakers in the child-centered ecosystem to consider the broader implications of their decisions on communities, taking into account community agency and power, and the rate at which conditions for children, families, and communities may improve." https://lnkd.in/ebKC3aym

We believe our community is made richer for everyone when we all support local business, culture, and sports. That's why we're not only stewards of our clients’ future, values and legacy, we're also stewards of our community. Our dedication to the greater good runs deep, from spending time and resources developing Mount Washington's Learn to Ski Program (now named the Rick Morson Nordic Ski School), to supporting local artists, environmental initiatives, and supporting children, women and families. We believe feeding the minds and bodies of our community's children and grandchildren will benefit us all, for generations to come. #richardsonwealth #morsoncarsonwealthcounsel #familyfirst #intergenerationwealth #financialplanning #financialgoals #integratedwealth #empoweredwealth #taxsavings #taxstrategies #wealthstrategies #financialfuture #secureyourfuture #investwisely #retirementplanning #financialfreedom #comoxvalley

Impact finance has become so important to solving for many of our most pressing challenges, from affordable housing to climate to racial equity. This is a great platform and a great person to lead it. #Day1 #impactfinance #affordablehousing #climatesolutions

California is blazing a trail for economic inclusion! This month, the California Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (CA RISE), the nation’s first statewide investment in employment social enterprises (ESE), distributed its second round of funding to 61 ESEs across 16 counties. These incredible businesses reveal and reinforce the talent of individuals overcoming major employment barriers—such as homelessness and incarceration. In addition to crucial funding, CA RISE provides grantees with technical assistance so enterprises can grow and increase their impact, access more capital to strengthen fundraising efforts, and navigate public funding streams. Thank you to Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom for approving this visionary investment in ESEs, the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) for their partnership on this initiative, and to Lendistry for serving as fiscal agent. Read more! https://lnkd.in/g6jYTYsz

On point! "Instead of making choices for other people, philanthropists must learn to empower individuals economically and politically to make choices for themselves and then celebrate their successes to inspire others, thus opening a far more pivotal role in fast-tracking widespread, lasting social and environmental progress." #empowermentphilanthropy #strategicphilanthropy #philanthropy #racialequity #racialjustice #economicjustice

One of the most tangible takeaways from the Next Frontiers Conference for me was learning about the Welsh approach to long term governance for future generations! I found myself feeling hopeful, knowing that there are real checks being implemented to hold governments to account for the impacts of policy decisions on the 'unborn', and that there is a movement building behind the example Wales are setting. Often, the interests of future generations are seen as mutually exclusive from the interests of existing generations. But they are not! Take a look at this post for more on how asking officials to "show their workings" is already having positive, intersectional impacts for current generations, future generations, and the environment.