2025 Funders Institute

Posted by 20sc on July 17, 2025

2025 Funders Institute Banner

On June 30 - July 1, we gathered in Washington, D.C., for our annual Funders Institute—our first under our new name, Funders Together for Housing Justice. Held in conjunction with the National Alliance to End Homelessness' National Conference on Ending Homelessness, this year's Institute reflected a deepened commitment to movement alignment, collective action, and housing justice as racial justice.

Read our blog post recapping the event and reflections by participants.

Check out the speaker biographies for more information about the speakers. 

 

Monday, June 30, 2025

9:00am ET

Welcome, Grounding, and Opening Remarks

The 2025 Funders Institute opened with reflections from CEO Amanda Andere, who marked her final Institute by announcing the organization's new name: Funders Together for Housing Justice. She emphasized that the name change affirms—rather than shifts—our mission to center those most impacted by housing injustice, including people who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, immigrants, and disabled. Amanda called on attendees to approach this moment as an opportunity for transformation, reminding us that housing justice is about people, power, and love in action. Her remarks set the tone for a conversation with Ann Oliva of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, who urged funders to respond to the current political climate with courage and coordination. Ann emphasized the importance of resisting harmful narratives and policies while continuing to build a future grounded in justice. Both leaders reminded us that in this moment of heightened risk, philanthropy’s role in resourcing, protecting, and partnering with impacted communities is more critical than ever.

Speakers: 

  • Amanda Andere, Chief Executive Officer, Funders Together for Housing Justice  
  • Ann Oliva, Chief Executive Officer, National Alliance to End Homelessness  

Resources:

9:30am ET

Coffee Chat: Block & Build: Federal & State Policy Outlook

In this coffee chat, leaders from across our collective movements provided a broad overview of key federal and state policy developments impacting housing justice. The discussion addressed legislative and legal battles that affect homelessness, the fight for racial equity, and those at the sharpest intersections of marginalization. 

Speakers: 

  • Amanda Andere, Chief Executive Officer, Funders Together for Housing Justice
  • Jennifer Angarita, Deputy Director, Fund for Housing & Opportunity
  • Peggy Bailey, Executive Vice President for Policy & Program Development, Center on Budget & Policy Priorities  
  • Shameka Parrish-Wright, Executive Director, Vocal-KY
  • Renee M. Willis, President & CEO, National Low Income Housing Coalition    

Resources:

10:30am ET

Breakout Session: Insights to Action  

Following the plenary conversation, participants moved into facilitated breakout discussions to deepen learning and begin applying the Block & Build framework in real time.

Each breakout table included a speaker from the policy panel and a Funders Together staff member to guide the conversation. Participants used custom Block & Build activity sheets to reflect on what they had heard, identify the policies and narratives they were working to block, and name the systems, coalitions, and investments they were committed to building.

The session was designed to move funders from understanding to action—providing space to process key takeaways, share challenges, and begin strategizing around the role of philanthropy in both defending hard-won gains and advancing bold, justice-centered solutions at the local, state, and national levels.

By the end of the session, participants left with clearer insights into their role in this political moment—and renewed clarity about how to show up for housing justice through advocacy, collaboration, and courageous funding.

11:30am ET

Joy Fest: From Policy to Practice: Local Advocacy in Action

The Funders Institute's Joy Fest highlighted the transformative impact of local advocacy in driving real change and moving the needle on critical issues. Speakers shared inspiring examples of how grassroots efforts are getting things done—transforming policy into practice and creating tangible impact. Funders gained valuable insights into how they can support and amplify local advocacy to catalyze progress and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities.  

Speakers: 

  • Kristina Gray-Akpa, MSW, Senior Program Officer, The Horizon Foundation
  • Kate Levin Markel, President, McGregor Fund
  • Deborah Vo, Program Officer, Strategy & Initiatives, Rasmuson Foundation

Resources:

2:30pm ET

Intersections in Action: Real Stories, Real Shifts 

Case Consultations were an opportunity for funders to share what they were working on and gain valuable thought partnership and insight from other funders.

Speakers: 

  • Emily Krisciunas, Executive Director, Chicago Funders Together 
  • Jennifer Olney, Program Director, Partnership to End Homelessness, Greater Washington Community Foundation 
  • Rachel Sherman, Executive Director, Marie C. and Joseph C. Wilson Foundation
  • Akshara Vivekananthan, Program Officer, HealthSpark Foundation

4:00pm ET

Closing Reflection: The Steady Drumbeat 

Day 1 of the Funders Institute closed with reflections on Amanda Andere’s leadership and the legacy she and Stephanie Chan helped build. Their vision shaped Funders Together’s evolution into a values-driven, justice-focused organization. While the transition marked the end of an era, it also signaled a continuation—grounded in courage, collective care, and an unwavering commitment to housing and racial justice.

Speakers:

  • Amanda Andere, Chief Executive Officer, Funders Together for Housing Justice 

 

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

9:00am ET

Shifting Systems, Building Power: A Call to Collective Action  

In this forward-looking closing session, Kassandra Frederique from the Drug Policy Alliance guided funders in aligning around collective action and coalition-building, with a focus on decriminalization as a critical component of housing justice. Participants explored strategies for collaboration, shared responsibility, and sustaining momentum in the fight to end the criminalization of homelessness and housing insecurity. Through this conversation, funders were encouraged to examine the intersections between criminal justice reform, housing justice, and racial equity, and how to mobilize resources for long-term, transformative change.

Speakers: 

  • Kassandra Frederique, Executive Director, Drug Policy Alliance

Resources:  

10:00am ET

Grounded in Justice: Our Values, Our Vision 
Unveiling the Core Commitments of Funders Together for Housing Justice 

To close out the Institute, Funders Together premiered a short film unveiling its new organizational values. These commitments—rooted in love, accountability, and radical imagination—were shared as guiding principles for the organization's future work and partnerships. Framed not as aspirations but as active practices, the values reflected how Funders Together engages with philanthropy and community in the pursuit of housing justice.

Speakers:

  • D. Michael Durham, Director, Networks  
  • Rachelle A. Matthews, Director, Membership & Programs 

Resources:

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  • Joshua Perrin
    published this page in Past Events 2025-07-17 14:54:37 -0400