Co-sponsored by Neighborhood Funders Group and Funder for Housing and Opportunity 

Wednesday, May 21, 2025 | 2:00pm ET, 1:00pm CT, 12:00pm MT, 11:00am PT

In this political moment, we are witnessing expedited harmful and inhumane treatment of our neighbors, particularly those who are unhoused. Politicians are exploiting the suffering in our communities to slash funding for social services, dismantle racial justice progress and policies that protect people, and expand the scope of criminalizing poverty. Meanwhile, the billionaire class alongside corporate landlords, real estate developers, and police unions seek to secure deeper public subsidies and erode government protections by scapegoating the very people who are struggling to survive.

All the while, community organizers and movement leaders are working tirelessly to support their communities and neighbors who are impacted most by the federal government's continued attacks. And many are wondering: Where is philanthropy in all this?

In this briefing, we will examine the political polycrisis impacting housing justice and public health efforts and philanthropy's role in supporting solutions at the intersection of homelessness, overdose, and unmet mental health needs. Attendees will hear from movement leaders about the political challenges and opportunities to advance policy solutions and build community-based power, as well the critical need to support collaboration between the seasoned advocates and organizers who are building a national response. We will also explore actions philanthropy can take to address the immediate needs while simultaneously resourcing the long-term re-imagining of systems of care.

Speakers

• Antonia Fasanelli | Executive Director, National Homelessness Law Center 
• Kassandra Frederique | Executive Director, Drug Policy Alliance 
• Shameka Parrish-Wright | Director, VOCAL-KY 
• Michael Durham (moderator) | Director of Networks, Funders Together to End Homelessness 

NOTE:

In order to promote candor and openness, this webinar will NOT be recorded. Notes will be provided to registrants who were unable to attend the live event.

Please note that solicitation from movement partners is possible.

Registration

Please RSVP through Neighborhood Funders Group. 

Join us for our inaugural Funders Together Membership Coffee Chat, designed to foster connection, spark conversation, and help you make the most of your membership. Whether you're brand new to the Funders Together network or looking to reconnect, this call is an opportunity to build community with fellow funders, learn about the benefits of membership, and connect with Funders Together staff. Participants will come away with a clearer understanding of Funders Together’s mission, strategic priorities, and network offerings; feel more connected to a community of peers advancing housing and racial justice; identify shared interests and challenges that can inform future collaboration; and leave inspired to engage more deeply through upcoming programming, peer learning, and collective action. 

Registration

Please register for the upcoming Membership Coffee Chat below. Once a Funders Together staff member has approved your registration, you will receive your unique Zoom link.

Please note: Participation in Funders Together programming is limited to foundations, community foundations, grantmaking staff at United Ways, corporate giving programs, individual philanthropists, venture philanthropy and other non-traditional philanthropic giving entities, philanthropy-serving organizations, and members of Funders Together. Government funders and staff at organizations where grantmaking is not the primary function are not eligible to participate. Funders Together reserves the right to deny participation to individuals we believe do not meet participation eligibility criteria. If you have questions about your eligibility, please reach out to Rachelle A. Matthews (RAM), Director of Membership and Programs.

Technology

This funder call will take place via Zoom meeting. Registration will be open until the time of the call. If you do not receive your Zoom link or have technical issues logging into this call, please reach out to Rachelle A. Matthews (RAM) at [email protected].

This call will last 60 minutes.

Co-Sponsor: Fund for Housing and Opportunity

Next call: June 4, 2025 | 2:00pm ET, 1:00pm CT, 12:00pm MT, 11:00am PT

As we navigate the impacts of the administration change, Funders Together to End Homelessness and Fund for Housing and Opportunity are creating intentional spaces for our members to connect, share, and strategize. In addition to our regular webinars focused on field updates and national trends, we are hosting monthly, informal Policy Funder Calls for members to exchange insights, elevate pressing concerns, and explore collective actions to advance housing and racial justice in this critical moment.

What to Expect 

These are active, discussion-based calls that are member-driven and lightly facilitated by Funders Together and Fund for Housing and Opportunity staff. They are designed as open spaces for funders to:

• Share what they are seeing in their communities, especially as policies and political shifts impact people experiencing homelessness.
• Surface emerging challenges and opportunities for advocacy and resource alignment.
• Seek support, ideas, and thought partnership from peers navigating similar dynamics.
• Strategize around philanthropy’s role in protecting and advancing racial equity and housing justice amidst ongoing attacks on these efforts.

Call Logistics

Policy Funder Calls will take place once monthly on Wednesdays at 2:00pm ET, 1:00pm CT, 12:00pm MT, 11:00am PT, beginning April 9th, 2025, and continuing until further notice.

These calls will not be recorded for security purposes and to ensure open conversation, but we will capture live notes to share key takeaways with participants.

Registration

Please register for the upcoming monthly policy calls below. Once a Funders Together staff member has approved your registration, you will receive your unique Zoom link.

Register for the June 4th Call

Register for the July 16th Call

Register for the August 13th Call

Register for the September 10th Call

Please note: Participation in Funders Together programming is limited to foundations, community foundations, grantmaking staff at United Ways, corporate giving programs, individual philanthropists, venture philanthropy and other non-traditional philanthropic giving entities, philanthropy-serving organizations, and members of Funders Together. Government funders and staff at organizations where grantmaking is not the primary function are not eligible to participate. Funders Together reserves the right to deny participation to individuals we believe do not meet participation eligibility criteria. If you have questions about your eligibility, please reach out to Rachelle A. Matthews (RAM), Director of Membership and Programs.

Technology

This funder call will take place via Zoom meeting. Registration will be open until the time of the call. If you do not receive your Zoom link or have technical issues logging into this call, please reach out to Rachelle A. Matthews (RAM) at [email protected].

This call will last 60 minutes.

Looking for Broader Field Updates?

If you’re interested in hearing national updates from field leaders and learning about the broader response from philanthropy, we will continue to host regular policy-focused programming. These calls will be topic-specific highlighting high-level trends, federal policy shifts, and philanthropic strategies in response to the national landscape. Stay tuned for more information about upcoming webinars and philanthropy-wide briefings! We’ll be sharing dates and details soon, so keep an eye on your inbox.

Join funders from across the country for the 2025 Funders Institute on Monday, June 30 and Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Washington, D.C. 

Held in conjunction with the 2025 National Conference on Ending Homelessness, the Funders Institute will take place June 30 - July 1, 2025 in Washington, D.C at the Washington Hilton Dupont Circle (1919 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC 20009)!

The 2025 Funders Institute will bring together philanthropic leaders committed to housing justice to explore innovative and collaborative strategies to advance housing justice and end homelessness. Through curated sessions and peer exchange, we will center racial justice to elevate community-driven solutions that address the root causes of housing instability, protect our communities, and create a pathway towards a just and liberated world.  

Overview

Dates & Times:
Monday, June 30 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm ET, with networking reception to follow
Tuesday, July 1 | 8:30 am - 11:00 am ET

Location: Washington Hilton Dupont Circle | 1919 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Please note: The National Conference on Ending Homelessness takes place from June 30 to July 2. However, this year's Funders Institute only has sessions on Monday, June 30, and Tuesday, July 1.

We encourage participants to book their hotel room as soon as possible. For information about the discounted hotel block, please consult the National Alliance’s Hotel and Travel webpage.

Registration 

Funders have two registration options for the 2025 Funders Institute: 

Joint Registration to the Funders Institute and National Conference on Ending Homelessness

Funders who want to attend both the Funders Institute and the National Alliance to End Homelessness’ National Conference on Ending Homelessness should register for both through Funders Together via Joint Registration. Joint registration allows access to the 2025 Funders Institute and funder reception on Monday, June 30, and the session on Tuesday July 1, as well as the entire NAEH conference June 30 to July 2. Those interested in attending both conferences should register through Funders Together and select “Joint Registration.”  

Funders Institute Only Registration

Funders can also register for just the Funders Institute, which includes access to Funders Institute programming on Monday, June 30, our funder networking reception that follows, and the session on July 1. This option does not include access to the NAEH conference. 

After registering for the Funders Institute, don’t forget to book your hotel room and make your travel plans soon, as the hotel block fills up quickly. 

Program-at-a-Glance:

Monday, June 30 

• 8:15 am – 9:00 am | Check-in and Breakfast
• 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | Funders Institute morning sessions
• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Lunch provided on-site
• 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Funders Institute afternoon sessions
• 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Reception 

Tuesday, July 1

• 8:30 am – 11:00 am | Funders Institute session 

Program Agenda

View our working agenda to see what we have planned for the event, including sessions, networking opportunities, and panel discussions.

COVID-19 Safety and Frequently Asked Questions

For the 2025 Funders Institute, attendees must also provide proof of a negative rapid test taken the morning of the Funders Institute. Funders Together also strongly encourages participants to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination status and to wear a mask while indoors.

Read about our COVID-19 safety precautions and other FAQ.

Eligibility for Participation

Participation in Funders Together programming is limited to foundations, community foundations, grantmaking staff at United Ways, corporate giving programs, individual philanthropists, venture philanthropy and other non-traditional philanthropic giving entities, philanthropy-serving organizations, and members of Funders Together. Government funders and staff at organizations where grantmaking is not the primary function are not eligible to participate. Funders Together reserves the right to deny participation to individuals we believe do not meet participation eligibility criteria. If you have any questions about your eligibility to participate or membership status, please contact Carey Cabrera, Membership and Knowledge Coordinator.