Building a Thriving Region: Moving to Action Roundtable Reunion

Last fall in partnership with United Way Bay Area (UWBA) we hosted a series of events and discussions on the disparities of philanthropic support in Northern California and how we can build a thriving region by addressing the historical disinvestment and steps philanthropy can take to increase equitable giving. 

The final session of that series brought together funders exploring or actively expanding their philanthropic reach for a roundtable discussion. Here’s some of the highlights: 

• We heard from regional funders who have expanded their philanthropic reach and are working to mobilize resources to regions lacking philanthropic commitment. 
• The group discussed: What are the shifts needed to take care of the region? What is our collective ownership? How do we not leave communities behind? 
• We also explored the challenges and opportunities in mobilizing resources to communities most in need. 
• The group made commitments on how they will continue to learn and advance equitable giving in the region. 

The world has changed since we last met. Join UWBA and NCG for a follow up virtual roundtable with colleagues who are working to shift resources to areas most in need. 

We’re excited to reunite with those of you who joined us last fall. And not to worry, if you weren’t there to join us then, you are invited to continue the conversation with us now. Anyone who would like to jump into the discussion around mobilizing resources in the region, learn from previous discussions, understand where the work is now, and what supports are needed to move this work forward. Come to the reunion!

How we got here: 

•  In August 2023, United Way Bay Area (UWBA) released a report on philanthropic funding disparities across eight of the Bay Area counties. This report builds on other countless reports, examining the inequitable funding in the Bay Area and beyond. 
• Northern California Grantmakers (NCG) hosted a session at their Annual Conference in June 2024 on how we build an equitable thriving region by addressing our region’s interconnectedness and historical disinvestment. 
• At a virtual discussion in July 2024, funders and community based organizations explored how funders can expand their reach, how they can support a strong nonprofit ecosystem for overlooked regions, and steps philanthropy can take to increase overall giving
• In October 2024, we brought together funders interested in or expanding their philanthropic reach to a roundtable discussion. Funders heard from a panel of funders and discussed the opportunities and challenges in moving resources to underinvested regions.