Stories of Philanthropic Leadership in Advancing Regional and ...

PART III:Stories of Philanthropic Leadership inAdvancing Regional and Neighborhood Equity—A Framework for ActionThe 21 stories included in this report describe theprojects, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropicpartners involved in accomplishing work to achievebetter outcomes in neighborhoods and regions. In anattempt to encourage further investment bygrantmakers in innovative strategies to advance equitycenteredsmarter growth policies and practices in bothregions and neighborhoods, these stories are toldprimarily from the perspective of the foundations whohave provided financial (and other) support.Each profile employs the same structure and includesthe following sections: a brief abstract; backgroundinformation on the project; details regarding whatinterested the funders in the project; theregional/neighborhood equity impacts of the work;results achieved; and lessons learned thus far by thefoundations providing support. The profilesconclude with contact information for key leaderswho provided content for the stories. Please note thatfor the most part, direct quotes attributed in thestories are the result of interviews with these leaders.Using equitable development principles as a guide,this report organizes stories about effective initiativesto advance regional and neighborhood equity intothree cross-cutting themes.Section 1: Promoting Equitable PublicInvestmentPublic investment decisions ultimately determine thequality of transit systems, the condition of publicschools and facilities, and the presence of parks andopen space in communities. Too often, policymakers failto consider the impact of investment decisions on lowincomecommunities. Using public investments topromote regional and neighborhood equity is becomingan important strategy among social justice advocates.Advocates are taking a particular interest in a growingcommunity benefits movement and in promotingequitable infrastructure investments at the state level.Section 2: Making All Neighborhoods Stable,Healthy, and Livableneighborhood should have a healthy quality of lifethat provides opportunities for each resident to beconnected to regional opportunities. This requiresthat each neighborhood have a minimum standardof livability below which no community falls. Yetcreating opportunity-rich neighborhoods withamenities and services does not necessarily meanthat equity is achieved in a region. When aneighborhood in a region experiences economicgrowth and becomes more attractive to outsiders,it can threaten the stability of low-incomecommunities and the livelihood of residents as thethreat of displacement and increased cost of livingbecome harsh realities. Advocates are working toconnect neighborhood residents to opportunitiesthat extend beyond the neighborhood’s geographicarea, while avoiding the negative impacts ofgentrification, such as displacement.Section 3: Connecting to Regional OpportunityIn addition to making each neighborhood healthyand livable, residents need access to opportunitiesthat extend beyond the neighborhood’s geographicboundaries. People need to be able to live in housingthat provides a wealth of opportunities as well ashave equal access to regional opportunities such asjobs and health through transportation options.Low-income families who reside in affordablehousing close to good schools, employment centers,transportation systems, parks, grocery stores, civicinstitutions, and services are better positioned tosucceed economically and socially. It is fundamentalthat transportation systems be consciously designedto link low-income communities to economiccorridors and jobs because of the movement of jobsaway from cities.Following is an alphabetical list of the grantmakerswhose stories are highlighted in the 21 profiles thatfollow, including the location of the foundation’sheadquarters, website address, and mission/visionstatement.The movements for regional and neighborhoodequity and smarter growth believe that every9 Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities