Philanthropy's Impact in the Southwest

Strengthening Local Communities to Achieve Global Goals

Overview

There are significant challenges facing communities in the Southwest, including racial inequality in education, economic opportunities and health outcomes.

The Council on Foundations, Philanthropy Southwest, and Albuquerque Community Foundation are excited to co-host a meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 4, 2017 to discuss how work already underway across the Southwest supports achieving the universal Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. This set of 17 global goals was adopted by 193 countries, including the United States, in 2015. Mayors around the U.S. have agreed to implement these goals in their cities alongside federal agencies, all working towards ending extreme poverty and leaving no one behind in a more equitable America by 2030.

As American philanthropy grapples with local challenges, how do our solutions and experiences link to challenges elsewhere around the globe? We will discuss how these global goals can enhance domestic programs in the United States, and how funders in the Southwest can develop innovative approaches and partnerships to impact local challenges. 

This event will be the sixth location in a national dialogue with local philanthropy on the SDGs, following convenings in 2015 and 2016 in Little Rock, San Francisco, New York City, Jacksonville and Minneapolis. These meetings led to our 2016 report, From Global Goals to Local Impact: How philanthropy can help achieve the SDGs in the U.S. This event was developed in partnership with the SDG Philanthropy Platform and the Foundation Center.

Agenda

Morning discussions will highlight ongoing efforts of Southwest philanthropy, present new research on needs in the region and analyses of local challenges, and discuss the broader context of the SDGs in the US and around the world.

The afternoon will feature deep-dive conversations around specific areas of ongoing work in the region, exploring how funders can undertake new approaches and partnerships to reaching ambitious targets locally, specifically linked to inequality, workforce development and economic security, and health.

Speakers

• Randy Royster, President & CEO, Albuquerque Community Foundation
• Robin Brule, Chief Strategist, Innovation Central, City of Albuquerque Living Cities Integration Initiative
• Marcela Diaz, Executive Director, Somos Un Pueblo Unido
• Bob Reid, Chief Executive Officer, J.F Maddox Foundation
• Renny Fegan, President & CEO, Colorado Nonprofit Association
• Guy McCrary, Chief Executive Officer, Permian Basin Area Foundation
• Kristen Lewis, Co-Director, Measure of America
• Mike Beard, Advocacy Director and Director of Better World Campaign, UN Foundation
• Lauren Bradford, Director for Global Partnerships, Foundation Center
• Dr. Manuel Montoya, University of New Mexico 
• Lucille DiDomenico, Executive Director, Philanthropy Southwest
• Natalie Ross, Senior Director for Global Philanthropy, Council on Foundations

Additional speakers to be announced.