Latest News at NCG

Why does philanthropy change its focus and strategy so often, and on time frames that are unrealistic for minor victories let alone systemic change?

Ahead of the 2024 General Election, Philanthropy California — the statewide alliance of Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties, Northern California Grantmakers, and SoCal Grantmakers — stands firm in our commitment to a vibrant and inclusive democracy. We believe free and fair elections are vital, as are efforts to protect the integrity of our democratic institutions and processes. We are united in our commitment to advance policies that build healthy, thriving, and equitable communities across our state.

Sometimes a name only tells part of the story. When people hear that I lead Northern California Grantmakers, they often envision a membership that serves the greater Bay Area. It’s understandable, as people frequently use the two terms frequently, presuming that NCG is synonymous with Bay Area. It is not. To be clear, our 220 institutional and 4,000 individual members are distributed throughout and serve the 48 northernmost California counties, from Kern County to the Oregon border. This region is larger than any U.S.

The looming election seems to be top of mind for many people, and certainly top of the news cycle. To some the election is signaling hope, but for others despair or apathy. I too, feel the knot in my stomach when thinking about the election, but not because I am worried about the results. For me, it’s because outcomes aside, I see the U.S. facing a rapid descent into fascism.

Placing blame for unsheltered homelessness on the people who experience it isn’t new, but recent policies are ensuring those same people see the repercussions. On June 28th, the US Supreme Court ruled against Gloria Johnson, a resident of Grants Pass, Oregon, who sued the city for repeatedly arresting and fining her for sleeping in public space when she had nowhere else to go.

There are few communities that haven’t been impacted by homelessness, and while jurisdictions grapple with possible resolutions, we know that criminalizing unhoused people is not the solution to this growing problem. The real solution lies in addressing the root causes of poverty and homelessness, implementing a strategy to increase the production and preservation of affordable housing units, including extremely low income and no income housing, and protecting tenants so that they can maintain stable housing and keep from slipping into homelessness. 

As a part of the Membership team, Molly sustains NCG’s membership – from welcoming new members, managing the systems that support engagement, to strategically building a dynamic membership experience. 

As funders and concerned community members, we have the ability – and the responsibility – to direct more resources to local organizations that are fortifying our democracy from the ground up.