Federal Headwinds, Frontline Resilience
Understanding the Impacts and Opportunities for Action 

a three-part funder learning series

Nov. 3, Nov. 17, Dec. 1 | 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET
 
Register Here

In just a few months, the current administration has dealt a series of significant setbacks to climate and communities: Billions of dollars, including $2.6 billion for climate and environmental justice programs, have been slashed from the federal budget. Agencies meant to protect our water and air have been gutted. And the promise of historic investments in climate-resilient infrastructure has been largely stripped away.

But despite these fierce federal headwinds, there are opportunities for action — and models of collaboration, partnership and frontline resilience.

Join us for a three-part learning series for funders Federal Headwinds, Frontline Resilience: Understanding the Impacts & Opportunities for Action.

These webinars will bring together funders, nonprofit and community leaders to share analysis of recent actions under the current administration, including impacts on frontline communities and leaders. They’ll also create space for funders to look past silos and consider best ways to leverage their resources, networks and expertise to meet this moment with urgency and flexibility.
 
The series is designed as a three-part learning arc but funders are welcome to attend individual sessions as their schedules allow. Attendees will automatically be confirmed for all three sessions when registering.

This funder series is organized by The Funders Network, Health and Environmental Funders Network, Neighborhood Funders Group, Chesapeake Bay Funders Network and Climate and Energy Funders Group in partnership with ClimateMAX, a new national collaborative and intersectional table of NGOs advancing and defending climate and environmental justice policy solutions.

If you have any questions about this event, please reach out to Ashley Quintana at ashley@fundersnetwork.org.

Session 1: Dumpster Fire in D.C.
November 3rd | 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET

We’ll look at the impacts of federal budget cuts and policy reversals on frontline communities, and pathways for state and local solutions. Join this session to deepen your understanding of recent actions, including a detailed analysis of the federal budget cuts, impacts, and what more could come. We’ll also lift up pathways for state and local solutions along with the latest research, analysis and observations from a national perspective. 

SPEAKERS

• Sylvia Chi, Legal & Advocacy Director, Just Solutions Collective

• Jillian Blanchard, Vice President of Climate Change and Environmental Justice, Lawyers for Good Government

• Aiko Schaefer, Executive Director, Just Solutions Collective

• Laura Wisland, Senior Program Officer, Heising-Simons Foundation

Session 2: Communities Leading & Protecting to Overcome Headwinds
November 17th | 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET

This session will provide a deeper understanding of how communities are overcoming these rollbacks, including impacts to programs intended to develop clean energy and economic opportunities for limited wealth and historically underinvested communities.

We’ll look at how communities are currently adapting and adjusting and create space for small-group breakouts, so funders can hear directly from groups on the ground about their ongoing work.
 
SPEAKERS

• Logan Burke, Executive Director, Alliance for Affordable Energy

• Paul Getsos, Special Project Director, United Today, Stronger Tomorrow

• Rahwa Ghirmatzion, Senior Policy Fellow, Just Solutions Collective

• Jennifer Somers, Executive Director, Collectrify: A Frontline-Led Energy Fund

Stay tuned for additional speaker updates!

 
Session 3: Rising from the Ashes - Collaboration & Innovation Advance Strategies that Work 
December 1st | 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET 

We will end the series with a discussion of the work and key strategies moving forward to build collaborative efforts that will drive solutions that advance energy affordability, resilience in the face of growing climate disasters, and health and safety. We will acknowledge the issues at stake in the context of mid-term elections and upcoming state legislative sessions. The final session also will spotlight ways that philanthropy is mobilizing to support work in communities. And it will highlight funder initiatives that model collaboration and partnership, urging funders to lean in and get involved.

SPEAKERS

• Byron Gudiel, Executive Director, Center for Earth, Energy and Democracy

• Jacqueline Patterson, Founder and Executive Director, Chisholm Legacy Project

• Aiko Schaefer, Executive Director, Just Solutions Collective

• Jennifer Somers, Executive Director, Collectrify: A Frontline-Led Energy Fund

Stay tuned for additional speaker updates!