GreenLight Fund

ICYMI: Casey Johnson, GreenLight Fund's VP of National Portfolio & Learning, was featured on the Lead & Live Well podcast with Erin Cox and M. Scott Knox, where she reflected on her journey and shared insights on scaling nonprofits, strategic investments, and the role of empathy and relationship-building in leadership. "So the community feels like we need this [innovative program]. We want this. Let's bring this in. Let's embrace this." Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gjVFcT6R

On the Center for Effective Philanthropy blog, Ali Knight reflects on how GreenLight Fund serves as a funding intermediary through our community-driven, trust-centered approach that adapts to local needs and supports long-term impact. “We believe our role as funders is most successful when we collaborate with communities and grantees and leverage their expertise to reach meaningful impact.”

Excited to welcome Nia Imani Fields, Ed.D. as GreenLight Fund Baltimore’s new executive director! Nia will provide on-the-ground support to their two existing portfolio organizations and lead GreenLight's community-driven process to bring the next set of evidence-based programs to Baltimore to address unmet local needs. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gyaCJ9c3

GreenLight Fund Detroit announces its fourth portfolio organization, bringing Bottom Line to Detroit to support college access and persistence for first-generation students. Through one-on-one support, Bottom Line advisors help students identify best-fit colleges, complete the FAFSA, and make affordable choices that minimize debt, positioning them for financial stability after graduation. By 2031, Bottom Line aims to reach 725 Detroit students annually, targeting a 95% college enrollment rate and an average student debt of $19,000 or less at graduation. Read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/gqXnjw9F

GreenLight Fund co-founder and board chair John Simon recently shared his perspective in Alliance magazine around scaling effective nonprofits rather than starting new organizations. “Our [GreenLight Fund’s] model has found that having a local, on-the-ground funding partner committed to the nonprofit’s success and providing strategic support can drastically reduce the risk and increase impact. Examples of ongoing support include connections to other funders, helping to hire a strong leader with local roots, laying the groundwork for local implementation and referral partners, and staying involved to ensure sustainability.” Read more ⬇

GreenLight Fund matches local communities' unmet needs with evidence-based social innovations, supporting proven organizations to address priority needs and drive meaningful change toward inclusive prosperity. In our 2023-24 Impact Report, you’ll learn more about each of our 55 portfolio organizations and their impact across our network of 13 sites, collectively reaching nearly 750,000 individuals and families over the last year. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g_vWkCrZ

GreenLight Fund’s annual Impact Report is here! From July 2023 - June 2024, our 55 portfolio organizations across 13 sites have reached nearly 750,000 individuals and families. To date, GreenLight’s investment of $39 million in our portfolio has leveraged an additional $312 million in funding since their GreenLight launch, helping expand their reach to a growing number of communities. This year’s theme, “Ideas Travel, Communities Rise,” highlights the power of our national network and our commitment to collaboration and learning across sites. Inside, you’ll find inspiring stories and data that illustrate the tremendous impact our work and portfolio organizations are having across the country. Check out the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gmX38GPQ

Everyone had a great time at GreenLight Boston's Golf for Good! Grateful to supporters who are investing in community-driven change. Special thanks to our sponsor, DemandScience, for inviting their ambassador and champion golfer, Megan Khang, to join us on the fourth hole!

Today, GreenLight Fund Twin Cities Executive Director Simone Hardeman-Jones and GreenLight Fund CEO Ali Knight joined Chanda Smith Baker, host of the award-winning podcast Conversations with Chanda, for a live recording of the upcoming episode, "Bridging Vision & Impact: A Fireside Chat with GreenLight Fund's Leadership." “I’ve learned that in order to achieve bold, transformational change, we have to build a table of people that might not always agree with each other, but are at the table because they care about the issue or end result and are committed to the work." - Simone “Letting the local process drive our investment means the community gets to choose what’s important to them and what’s needed." - Ali Stay tuned for the episode recording, and listen to Conversations with Chanda here: https://lnkd.in/gEvsVn7J

This past Monday, the GreenLight Fund Philadelphia team attended "A Safer America," an event hosted by the Philadelphia Eagles, where leaders came together to discuss impactful gun violence prevention efforts in the community. During the event, GreenLight Philadelphia was honored as a grant recipient of the Philadelphia Eagles Social Justice Fund. Since 2018, the fund has supported organizations reducing barriers to opportunities, addressing the root causes of violence, uplifting young people, and breaking cycles of poverty and inequality. Deep gratitude to the Eagles for this honor and to the National Football League (NFL), an incredible national strategic partner of GreenLight's over the years.