Strike Watch 2020 Review: Defund the Police to Build Worker Power

By Manisha Vaze, Director, NFG Funders for a Just Economy As we close this year, it’s probably safe to assume that you, like me, are emotionally and physically exhausted. The never-ending tragedy of this year’s global pandemic, the job loss, the deep inequality of the economic and health systems, and the new exposure for many…

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Strike Watch – Election 2020: Workers Redefine the Map, as Corporate Tech Pours Millions to Undermine Rights

While the public eye (rightfully) centered on the US presidency this election, worker-led organizing made tremendous waves across the country in ballot initiative, issue-based wins and get out the vote mobilization, including in closely-watched swing states. Corporations and the ultra-wealthy also pushed their agendas of racialized and gendered inequality ahead, most notably California’s anti-labor rights…

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Philanthropy Isn’t Doing Enough to Support Youth-Led Voter-Mobilization Efforts

Alejandra Ruiz, Executive Director of the Youth Engagement Fund, and Lori Bezahler, President of the Edward W. Hazen Foundation, write about youth of color civic engagement and voter mobilization work as a core opportunity for grantmaking on racial equity, leadership development, and building people centered long-term infrastructure that transforms our communities and democracy. This op-ed was originally published here…

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The Fund for New Jersey Reaffirms Commitment to Racial Justice

In the wake of George Floyd’s death and the protests that followed, The Trustees of The Fund for New Jersey have issued a statement that reaffirms The Fund’s commitment to achieving racial justice in New Jersey through investment in policy reforms in housing, education, criminal justice, economic justice, and public health. The statement provides data and analysis on the…

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Strike Watch: Voices from the Strike for Black Lives

PIctured left: Gus and his co-workers in Lakeland, FL during the J20 Strike for Black Lives. Photo Credit: Fight for 15 Florida.  Hundreds of workers walked out of work from coast to coast Monday, July 20th as part of coordinated Strike 4 Black Lives. Centering the Movement 4 Black Lives and 60-plus labor and community…

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Justice Oregon for Black Lives: A five-year, $25 million commitment

Michelle J. DePass, President & CEO of Meyer Memorial Trust, describes how the foundation is supporting Black resilience in Oregon with their largest initiative yet — funding Black-led and Black-centered organizations working toward justice and systemic change. This post was originally published here on the foundation’s website. Michelle is part of the 2019-2020 Philanthropy Forward: Leadership for Change Fellowship cohort,…

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A Multiracial Rural Equity Summit: Why Now

As part of Neighborhood Funders Group’s virtual convening series, NFG’s Integrated Rural Strategies Group (IRSG) will host its first ever Multiracial Rural Equity Summit on July 1. As Americans across the country rise up in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, IRSG calls on philanthropy to: Uplift the voices of rural communities demanding economic and…

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Black Lives Matter: We Say Their Names

We at NFG say their names. George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN. Breonna Taylor in Louisville, KY. Ahmaud Arbery in Glynn County, GA. Tony McDade in Tallahassee, FL. Dion Johnson in Phoenix, AZ. Black Lives Matter, today and every day. NFG stands in solidarity with Black communities as we again find ourselves anguished, angered, and compelled…

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Lifting up Philanthropy Forward Fellows’ Response to Coronavirus

NFG’s Philanthropy Forward fellowship provides dedicated space for CEOs of progressive philanthropic institutions to organize together, a critical effort especially in this profound health and economic crisis due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Check out these timely articles and calls to action from our Fellows that urge philanthropy to pivot, adapt, and transform the sector…

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Strike Watch: From Food to Fashion, Workers are Countering Corporate Talking Points with Organizing for Economic Security and Protection

Updates from the Front Lines & How Funders can Support Growing Movements As mostly-conservative state governors and the federal government enforce rapid re-opening and block closures in some sectors like meatpacking, workers continue to put their livelihood on the line to protect themselves through strikes and other actions. Employees are coalescing under the banners of…

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Amplify Fund’s Response to COVID-19

In the face of COVID-19, Amplify is stretching from our core! We maintain our central belief that community power drives just and equitable development, and feel strongly that all funders should: Give more than you ever thought possible. As a time-limited pooled fund, we are reallocating budget items so we can distribute as much in direct support as…

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COVID-19 Strike Wave

By Rob Chlala, Program Manager of Funders for a Just Economy The last few weeks have seen an unprecedented wave of labor organizing, coast to coast. Payday Report has offered a map of these strikes; Labor Notes is offering both updates and guides for workers; and the American Prospect has nearly daily news via its…

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NFG Member Spotlight: The Libra Foundation

(L-R): Angie Chen (Senior Program Officer), Crystal Hayling (Executive Director), Ashley Clark (Knowledge & Grants Manager), Jennifer Agmi (Senior Program Officer) NFG’s network is composed of 120+ members that work in every part of the nation, in both urban and rural settings, and includes private and public foundations, community foundations, family foundations, corporate foundations, faith-based funders, and other…

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Racial Capitalism, Power & Resistance: Keynote Videos & Highlights for 2020

In October 2019, NFG’s Funders for a Just Economy (FJE) held a breakthrough Racial Capitalism, Power and Resistance Convening, an unprecedented conversation with more than 70 funder participants on the racial and gendered inequality defining US and global capitalism — and the role of philanthropy within these structures. FJE is moving this conversation into action in…

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Meet the First Philanthropy Forward CEO Leadership Cohort

  In October 2018, some of philanthropy’s top leaders came together for the launch of Philanthropy Forward, a new leadership fellowship for CEOs of progressive philanthropic institutions, hosted by Neighborhood Funders Group in partnership with The Aspen Forum for Community Solutions. Over the next eight months, this cohort will build and advance a shared vision…

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