1. This is such animportant conversationto be having right
now.
2. Most large foundations needto give out dollars in
largechunks.Philanthropy as a whole andmost foundations are
fairlyconservative institutions.
3. Funders like the wonkystuff. Grassrootscampaigns
areperceived as messyby donors.
4. Its difficult for foundations tosee that
isolated,neighborhood-level work willadd up to a policy
play.Funders often are looking forbig policy levers and ourframing
says that those leversexist at the state and federalpolicy
level.
5. GRASSROOTS
6. Distribution of Environmental Grants awarded by EGA.Members
based on EGA strategies, circa 2009Percentage of Environmental
Grant dollarsClassified as benefitting marginalized communitiesA.
Advocacy, Organizing andPublic Policy-related strategies 52.1%B.
Capacity building andGeneral operating, 18.9%C.
Communications/Media, 2.6%D. Research: Scientific/Environmental,
8.4%E. Stewardship/Acquisition/Preservation, 16.6%F. Not provided,
1.4%Percentage of Environmental Grant dollarsClassified as
advancing social justice
7. NAT IONALGROUPS
8. National green groupshave enormousinfluence with
funders.
9. F U N D E R S
10. It always looks impossible until its done.-Nelson
Mandela