Funders Together to End Homelessness

Join us on Monday, December 16 as we explore what it looks like to support the housing justice movement in 2025 and beyond. We will discuss what it means for philanthropy to meet the needs of advocates and organizers on the ground, so they have the capacity, spaciousness, and resources to do both the short- and long-term work.  Participants will have the opportunity to engage in peer-to-peer dialogue and seek advice around both challenges and barriers to our work.  Register today: https://t.ly/bLfCN

What We're Reading: Center for American Progress shares their vision for social housing. "The most effective way to solve America’s severe housing affordability crisis is to undertake a bold federal program of social housing construction that will deliver millions of new affordable, self-sustaining housing units located in opportunity-rich areas." https://lnkd.in/exrBQ99q

President of the Melville Charitable Trust and Funders Together Board Member Susan K. Thomas was featured in Center for Effective Philanthropy's podcast episode about Tackling the Root Causes of Homelessness. This conversation explores the systems and barriers in place in the U.S. that result in well over a half million unhoused Americans. Susan draws on her own personal and familial story as well as decades of experience, arguing that homelessness and structural racism are intrinsically linked, both historically and today. https://lnkd.in/gR9tu6is

Our 2025 Funders Forum also provides dedicated opportunities to connect with funder peers and explore best practices to advance housing justice. One participant shared this reflection about learning alongside others in philanthropy at last year's event: "The Funders Forum was a valuable and enriching experience that left me with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to advocating for housing justice. The Forum created a space to build relationships, collaborate, and learn how other philanthropic partners are adapting to this forever changing landscape." - Tameeka Christian, Ph.D., Program Officer, J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation During this year’s Funders Forum, attendees can share challenges they are facing, receive feedback from peers, and strategize around solutions through case consultations. Don't wait, spots are limited. Register today: https://lnkd.in/eAkKGrk6

Funders Together's office will be closed the week of Thanksgiving from Monday, November 25, to Friday, November 29 to allow staff to rest and spend time with loved ones. Staff will not be working or checking email. Normal office hours will resume on Monday, December 2.

LAST CALL: Early Bird Registration for the 2025 Funders Forum ends tomorrow, November 15 at 3pm ET! Full members of Funders Together who register by the deadline will receive the discounted rate to the Funders Forum. Our opening plenary features Jawanza James Williams, Director of Organizing at VOCAL-NY; Joanna Jackson, President and CEO of the Weingart Foundation; and Rasheedah Phillips, Director of Housing at PolicyLink, as they lead us in exploring how to build collective power and engage in advocacy to advance housing justice after the election Don't miss out on your chance to attend! Register today: https://t.co/ezaq3GNgus

The Helmsley Charitable Trust, a member of Funders Together, shares how people experiencing homelessness need an accelerated path to permanent, supportive housing. They convened providers of housing for health services to expedite access to services and improve health outcomes.

What happens next after the November election? Our policy funder call will explore how we can advance housing justice with a new administration. Speakers will explore how philanthropy can influence policies, funding, and the federal agenda. Additionally, we will preview how Funders Together and the Fund For Housing and Opportunity are engaging in scenario planning and what it means for our members and partners. Register today: http://bit.ly/3NJvuc4 Speakers: Lynn Ross, Founder & Principal, Spirit for Change Consulting, LLC Jeanne (Reitz) Fekade-Sellassie , Executive Director, Fund For Housing and Opportunity (moderator) *This call is open to philanthropy, grantmaking staff at United Ways, corporate giving programs, individual philanthropists, venture philanthropy and other non-traditional philanthropic giving entities, and philanthropy-serving organizations.

Our 2025 Funders Forum Working Agenda is Live! Our opening plenary will explore how philanthropy can advance housing justice through building collective power and engaging in advocacy at the national and local level. We will focus on how philanthropy can help bridge local and national movements, connect housing and homelessness with other issue areas, and continue to champion racial justice. Our speakers include: Jawanza James Williams, Managing Director of Organizing, VOCAL-NY Joanna Jackson, President & CEO, Weingart Foundation Rasheedah Phillips, Director of Housing, PolicyLink Learn more: https://t.co/ezaq3GNgus

Philanthropy: Join us for the next in our policy funder call series on Friday, November 15, as we explore how we advance housing justice with a new Presidential Administration and the unique role and perspective philanthropy can offer to ensure housing justice is a priority for the next administration, as well as state and local policymakers. Speakers will include: Lynn Ross, Founder & Principal, Spirit for Change Consulting, LLC Jeanne (Reitz) Fekade-Sellassie, Executive Director, Fund For Housing and Opportunity (moderator) Philanthropy can register here: http://bit.ly/3NJvuc4