We had a strong showing of California funders at TFN’s 25th Anniversary Conference in Baltimore, which drew nearly 300 funders from across the country. Uniting under the theme “Be Bold Together,” funders were both challenged and supported to help fulfill TFN’s mission: Leveraging philanthropy’s unique potential to create just, equitable places that are sustainable and prosperous for all people. It was a truly inspiring event.
Read on for key TFN25 takeaways and highlights for Smart Growth California funders.
1. Finding Community
Our Smart Growth California happy hour at the close of Day One drew in members from Stockton, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and places in between.
2. Finding More Community (this time with coffee)
The next morning, more California funders joined for an ad hoc breakfast, which provided a great opportunity for folks to connect, share insights, and reflect on key takeaways from the conference.
3. Getting to the Heart of Things
In her moving opening speech, TFN’s President and CEO, Dion Cartwright, urged funders to remain resolute in this moment, sharing how TFN staff and board of directors (which includes The California Endowment’s Mark Tran and Sierra Health Foundation’s Kaying Hang) are dedicated to offering support.
4. California Funders Sharing Experience and Expertise
Several of the conference sessions featured Smart Growth California members. Statewide Steering Committee member Kaying Hang spoke at a well-attended post-conference session about leveraging public infrastructure funding. A standing-room-only session on narrative change, organized by our very own Diana Williams, featured Jonathan Tran (TCE) and Robert Avruch (formerly with CZI), among others (see blog on narrative change here). Other Californians joining panels included: Jason Cordova and Kriztina Palone (Irvine Foundation), Marisa Aurora Quiroz (International Community Foundation), Alice Hom (Change Philanthropy), and Kenya Croom (A Step to Freedom).
Other funders active in Smart Growth California workgroups joined the conference as well, including Christiana DeBenedict (San Diego Foundation), Craig Martinez and Eli Dominguez (The California Endowment), Emma-Louise Anderson (Seed Fund), Bianca Juarros (San Francisco Foundation), Nik Howard (Reinvent Stockton Foundation), Maria Quiroz (International Community Foundation), Mark Valentine (ReFrame It Consulting) and Victor Garcia (Irvine Foundation). Be sure to ask them about their experience next time you see them.
5. Biking and Closing Reflections
Two personal highlights were: The Linking Communities Through Mobility Mobile Workshop, a great bike ride through Baltimore, which I helped support; and the closing reflection session at the end of our amazing three days, which I had the honor of facilitating. During this reflection, we shared key learnings, our hopes for future actions and ways in which TFN and Smart Growth California, as networks, can support our members moving forward.
The whole fantastic experience is inspiring our next Smart Growth California Funder Summit, tentatively planned for early 2026…stay tuned!
