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In 2021, NCG issued a call to the sector to confront existential challenges - convergent and increasing large-scale climate disasters, gaping racialized economic inequities, and drastically inadequate infrastructure and housing - by responding with coordinated, long-term, bold approaches

In the November election, we can advance statewide policy in California that is truly transformative for our communities. The scale of the housing crisis we're facing means our efforts need more scale, and local voters need more power to address the affordable housing and public infrastructure needs in their communities. Proposition 5 empowers local voters to approve bonds for affordable housing, critical public infrastructure, and emergency response in our communities with a 55% vote – if those bonds have strict accountability and oversight.

Leveraging the unique perspectives, energy, and visions of young people can transform philanthropy into a more powerful force for change. Across California, funders are stepping out of their traditional roles to deconstruct the power dynamics that exist in philanthropy and utilize participatory approaches that bring together young people and funders to make decisions on grants. As we reimagine what grantmaking can be, learning directly from young people and those involved in the work is crucial in
being able to contribute to the landscape constructively. It informs funders what the vast needs of the ecosystem are and how their work can contribute.

A recent report, Much Alarm, Less Action, from the Center for Effective Philanthropy found that both foundation and nonprofit leaders believe that climate change will negatively affect their work —no matter the issues they focus on. However, less than 2% of all giving went to building climate resilience. Continued climate inaction by the philanthropic sector, will undo existing efforts to address a multitude of societal challenges, particularly those around public health.

As we face the current federal political regime, and deal with the havoc being inflicted from the top down, philanthropy is in a unique position to support our nonprofit partners working tirelessly to serve communities, protect progressive public policies and programs, and stave off the harmful repercussions of administrative and congressional actions. Last year, we saw a clear attempt to stifle political dissent through federal legislation that would have granted the executive branch power to dismantle any organization it deems as a “terrorist supporting” organization. While HR 9495 did not pass the Senate, the proposal was a chilling harbinger of what we can anticipate in the future, and sounded the alarm for how we must collectively respond

No matter where you start, success in life starts at home for all ages and all people. When we have safe, secure places to live – whether you rent or own – parents earn more, kids learn better, health and well-being improve, and our communities are strengthened. To build this future, we need to bring the Bay Area’s capacity for innovation and problem-solving to the challenge of preserving our pre-existing affordable housing. The constant loss of affordable units to the speculative market is accelerating the
displacement of working class and poor families - shedding our region of its diversity, vibrancy, and equity of opportunity.

The NCG Funders for Climate Equity network is a collaboration with Smart Growth California and the League of California Community Foundations. We invite funders who are interested in or are already funding at the intersection of climate justice and resilience to join us and to share and provide input as we collectively learn and take action on critical climate justice challenges and opportunities. Discussion topics in the group will focus on intersectional issues relating to climate justice, as well as philanthropic and community-based practices and trends relevant to northern California’s 48-county region. We also welcome topical and tactical feedback from funders as we improve this group.