Rethinking Philanthropy

Happy New Year from the NY Funders Alliance! Our network is as important now as it ever was as we head into what many see as uncertain times.

2017 is here and the months stretch out in front of us like a blank slate. Opportunity is everywhere for fresh strategies, initiatives, and resolutions in the new year. As a network (and you as organizations or individuals) we have the opportunity to outline our long-term work and aim for new, more inspired goals.

Amidst the prospect of new opportunities, it is impossible to ignore the fact that uncertainty is swirling on the national and local levels as we are only a few short weeks away from the inauguration of a new President. Many Americans feel unsafe, underrepresented, and unsure of the future. There is a critical need for people, organizations — and elected officials — to emit values of broad inclusivity, display genuine care for others, and act as positive forces in our communities. What connects us is far more important and sustainable than the dissimilarities between us.

Personally, I have always seen one of the main roles of the NY Funders Alliance to be a connector and a unifier. NY Funders Alliance members create the foundation of a broader network of funders in New York State and eliminate regional silos that may have existed otherwise. Our own membership in organizations like the Forum for Regional Associations of Grantmakers extends that state-wide network to be a national one.

NY Funders Alliance member organizations are trusted resources and valued leaders within the regions they serve. You maintain this role in your community through your commitment to addressing critical issues and your dedication to fostering philanthropic collegiality more broadly. In this vein, we would like to thank you in advance for renewing your NY Funders Alliance membership for 2017. By valuing your membership in our regional association you confirm the value of continued education and increased cooperation between the regions of New York State.

The NY Funders Alliance wishes all of you and your colleagues a happy and prosperous new year as we strive together for improvements in our communities.

Best,

Emily Alber Chase, Program Manager