Pisces Foundation

Just about everyone I know in the environmental and climate space is asking a fundamental question: how do we make progress in the years to come? As an advocate and now funder, I wrestle with two competing realities: pride in our progress and recognition that the pace and scale of our challenges requires even more. So what now? There are many good ideas out there, but I hope we will resist the tendency to overfocus on tactical shifts—local v. national, inside v. outside, and so on. And while we oppose the rollbacks that started even before the Inaugural Ball, and those sure to come, we shouldn't avoid something brewing well before January 20. I hope we can engage what is, for me, the fundamental issue: the strength of our strategic posture. The most important shift we can make is to focus less (relatively speaking) on developing policy and more on policy’s pre-requisites: influence and power. We have solutions. We need more sway. This requires, as it has for other social movements, a far broader, diverse, and connected set of advocates and allies. And steady—and more—funding for the movement infrastructure collective work requires (ICYMI, not a strength of philanthropy). Individual NGOs remain vital. But we grow strategic leverage in collectives that can be far more influential. I made this point in the The New York Times, in response to an article listing tactical changes the environmental movement could make. For sure, many of these approaches could advance our efforts. But they are not the same thing as confronting and directly addressing an imbalanced policy-power equation. I hear more willingness today to consider fundamental shifts and to connect to generate good ideas together. This is welcome—not just because it can enhance our effectiveness. Our connections are also a deep form of mutual support, a salve in tough moment, and a great place to begin the work of the second half of this pivotal decade. https://lnkd.in/gYuYWN6n

Over the summer, we shared news of our recent strategy evolution and our intention for the Pisces Foundation to serve as a resource for change-makers seeking the tools to collaborate on addressing critical global environmental challenges and creating a vibrant San Francisco. Complex challenges require collaborative action, and as we look to support the collective action needed to advance meaningful social change, we are fortunate to have talented team members now stepping into new and expanded roles to help us accelerate this work. Congratulations to three Pisces Foundation team members who have recently earned promotions! Jason Morris is our new Environment + Climate Lead, where he will lead grantmaking for all of the foundation's environmental work. Jason has been with the foundation for nine years, serving most recently as Senior Program Officer, Environmental Education. Georgia Beesemyer is moving into the role of Program Analyst for the foundation, supporting our entire program, which consists of our Environment + Climate and San Francisco initiatives. Georgia was previously an Associate on the foundation's Water Program team.  Before joining Pisces, Georgia served as a Project Manager for the WaterNow Alliance. Lauren Witt is now Senior Grants Manager, leading grantmaking operations to enhance the foundation's overall impact.  In Lauren’s previous role she led the grant administration team focused on individual and family giving at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF). We are grateful to have such accomplished team members as Jason, Georgia, and Lauren, and we congratulate them on their well-deserved promotions. 

Complex challenges require collaborative action. Those collaborations, in turn, require dedicated support and shared tools that strengthen advocates individually and collectively. That is why we shared the news over the summer about our updated strategy, which focuses on advancing collective action through field building, movement infrastructure, and collaborations–all indispensable ingredients of the influence and alignment needed for significant social change. We will be a resource to organizations that seek to collaborate to advance progress on climate and environmental issues and create a vibrant San Francisco.   The Foundation is fortunate to have talented team members now stepping into new and expanded roles to help us accelerate this work. At the same time, we are welcoming accomplished professionals who are joining our efforts. Jason Morris is our new Environment + Climate Lead, where he will lead grantmaking for the foundation's environmental work. Georgia Beesemyer is moving into the role of Program Analyst, supporting all of our programmatic initiatives. Lauren Witt is now Senior Grants Manager, leading grantmaking operations to enhance the foundation's overall impact. And welcome to new members of the Pisces team! Meredith Blair Pearlman has joined as the Foundation’s first Program Director, where she will lead our integrated program, which consists of initiatives focused on the Environment + Climate and San Francisco. Kat Vang will join us in March and lead our newest initiative, directing investments that will contribute to a more thriving, vibrant San Francisco. Erika Parke has started as Grants Associate, supporting the full suite of grantmaking operations and serving as a resource for grantee partners. And Casey Trujillo is now serving as Operations Associate, where they provide comprehensive support in human resources, operations, and finance. We are grateful to all of these professionals for stepping into and up to the critical work ahead and look forward to collaborating with them to help people, communities, and nature thrive.

Check out The Chronicle of Philanthropy where Eva Hernandez from our partner Mosaic shares perspective as to how the environmental movement needs to build influence by bridging across differences. Read more below:

Check out this great podcast where our partners at Green 2.0 and Mosaic discuss the critical need for "movement infrastructure" to advance the equitable collaborations that help build alignment and influence in the environmental movement.

#ImagineADayWithoutWater is a powerful yearly reminder to consider the crucial and universal life force that is water. While we have come a long way to provide universal access to safe, clean, and affordable water, we still face significant challenges to achieving this human right. While these myriad obstacles are daunting, we are buoyed by the resilience and tenacity of the advocates and water workforce who are committed to bringing this vision to reality and are proud to support multiple grantee partners dedicated to this work.

Ten years ago, the Blue Sky Funders Forum was a new idea for bringing together more resources, awareness, and collective action to increase environmental learning and equitable access the outdoors. Since then, it has grown to a collaborative of nearly 50 philanthropies that have driven more than $500 million in funding toward the shared vision where every child - regardless of race, identity, or community - has the right and opportunity to learn about the environment and share in meaningful experiences in the outdoors. Last week was a fantastic celebration of how far Blue Sky has come, and the incredible potential of the work ahead. To the next ten years! #RethinkOutside

Congratulations to Blue Sky Funders Forum for 10 big years of impact! Check out the reflection below from Pisces Foundation President, David Beckman. Here's to the next 10 years and beyond. #BlueSkyFunders #RethinkOutside

It was fantastic to be in community with so many of our partners at this week's Environmental Grantmakers Association conference in beautiful Washington State. Jason Morris had the privilege of speaking about Pisces Foundation’s partnership with Mosaic and reflecting on how their pluralistic approach engages and supports the entire environmental movement. Mosaic is demonstrating how to bridge differences to support movement-wide effectiveness, and we appreciate being part of their impressive story.