Smart Growth California

An Initiative of the Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities

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Statewide Funder Convening

Smart Growth California’s statewide funder convening brings together grantmakers to learn, connect, and take action.

Thank you to the many members of the Smart Growth California community who were part of the 2017 convening!

Our 2017 funder convening covered a wide range of topics including: the 2016 elections; affordable housing and displacement; climate change, cap-and-trade, and disadvantaged communities; the drought and water issues; innovations in regional planning; building power and civic engagement; and supporting access to opportunity for all Californians, particularly low-income residents. View photos from the convening.

The convening was produced in partnership with The San Diego Foundation, San Diego Grantmakers, the University of San Diego, The California Endowment, California Community Foundation, and the Jacobs Center.

For questions or further information, including access to presentations from the convening, please contact Ron Milam at ron@fundersnetwork.org or 510-778-7530, ext. 701.

Many thanks to our speakers:
  • Geoff Anderson, President & CEO, Smart Growth California
  • Ludovic Blain, Director, Color of Democracy Project
  • Ashley Conrad-Saydah, Deputy Secretary for Climate Policy, CalEPA
  • Wade Crowfoot, CEO, Water Foundation
  • Tony Dang, Executive Director, California Walks
  • Veronica Garibay, Co-Founder and Co-Director, Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability
  • Todd Gloria, California State Assemblyman
  • Nicola Hedge, Director, Environmental Initiatives, The San Diego Foundation
  • Reginald Jones, President & CEO, Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation
  • Carey Knecht, Director, ClimatePlan
  • Richard Marcantonio, Managing Attorney, Public Advocates
  • Felicia Marcus, Chair, State Water Resources Control Board
  • Geeta Rao, Senior Program Director, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.
  • Robert Ross, M.D, President & CEO, The California Endowment
  • Shamus Roller, Executive Director, National Housing Law Project
  • Ramla Sahid, Executive Director, Partnership for Advancement of New Americans
  • Alvaro Sanchez, Environmental Equity Director, The Greenlining Institute
  • Amy Schur, Campaign Director, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE)
  • Parin Shah, Senior Strategist, Asian Pacific Environmental Network Empowerment (APEN)
  • Diane Takvorian, Executive Director, Environmental Health Coalition
  • Karla Zombro, Field Director, California Call

Sessions

  • Moving Forward Together after the 2016 Elections
  • Leveraging Billions for Transit, Parks, and Housing in California
  • California Leads the Way on Climate Change and Equity
    • Breakouts
      • Cap-and-trade Program
      • Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
      • Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities
      • Transformative Climate Communities
  • Adapting to California’s Uncertain Water Future
  • Addressing Housing and Displacement in California
  • Creating Sustainable Equitable, Healthy, Regions: Key Opportunities Ahead
  • Building Power and Civic Engagement to Drive Change
  • Concluding Conversations, Key Learnings and Defining Next Steps

Planning Committee

We would like to thank our planning committee for their ideas, guidance, and assistance in planning this convening:

  • Kelvin Alfaro, Central Valley Community Foundation
  • Steve Eldred, The California Endowment
  • Nicola Hedge, The San Diego Foundation
  • Reginald Jones, Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation
  • Ann Sewill, California Community Foundation
  • Mark Valentine, ReFrame It Consulting
  • Emily Young, University of San Diego