Established nearly 20 years ago as an informal network of grant-makers interested in collaboration, the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network continues to evolve, adapt and meet the challenges in the Chesapeake region with thoughtful and collaborative philanthropic actions. From the start, we have been driven by members, responsive to the community, and have always had a bias for collaborative action. This remains true today and guides much of our work together.
Our Vision
The Chesapeake Bay Funders Network envisions an environmental movement that is rooted in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice that strives to ensure all residents in the region enjoy and benefit from clean water, clean air, and open space in their community.
Our Mission
To help build and mobilize a network of grant-makers to listen, share and develop collaborative strategies that shift social, economic, and political systems toward a healthy, natural environment and just, equitable communities in the Chesapeake Bay region.
Guiding Principles & Values
The Network upholds the following guiding principles in our work:
Elevate the voices of those most impacted by economic and policy forces to ensure lasting and equitable outcomes for people and the environment
Build awareness and work to address the racism and power structures that have perpetuated disproportionate environmental impacts on communities of color
Deepen funder knowledge on scientific, political, and social dimensions of key systems influencing our region’s environment to surface the needs and opportunities that call for a coordinated action
Pool funds and align grant-making for scaled, deeper, and longer-term impact
Foster cross-sector partnerships, civic engagement, and community leadership
Include practitioners in the work to learn, analyze, and develop strategies for the region
Cultivate trust, transparency, and accountability among the grantmaking community