Building New Futures
Fast Pitch 2020 Coaching Session | Photo by Eric V. Ibarra, Las Fotos Project
We hope that you are taking care of yourselves and each other. To our Black friends and family - we see you, we are with you, and we fight alongside you.
To our white and non-Black POC friends - we know you are searching for ways to direct your energy, resources, and time to dismantle anti-Black racism, white supremacy, and to reimagine harmful systems.
As we continuously reflect on our role in building anti-racist community, we are reminded of Maya Angelou’s wisdom: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” We find this emphasis on learning and gaining new awareness particularly pertinent for white folks and non-Black POC in this moment. We encourage you to invest time in learning how you can be anti-racist, listening to Black leaders working for liberation, and donating financially to their efforts.
We’re celebrating progress made by The People’s Budget, led by Black Lives Matter LA and community collaborators. Responding to tireless advocacy from community, the Los Angeles City Council proposed a reduction in the LAPD’s operating budget by $100 - 150M. We appreciate the local organizations on the frontlines of this advocacy - BLMLA, BLD PWR, and Youth Justice Coalition LA.
Yet advocates are urging for much more significant change. The Mayor’s budget proposed an allocation of $3.15 billion to police, or 54% of general funds, with a far smaller percentage to housing and other community services. You can read the People's Budget report with concrete recommendations on investing in community wellbeing, and reach out to your Councilmember to weigh in. For context on the call to redirect our budgets and invest in community care, read “Freedom to Thrive: Reimagining Safety & Security in Our Communities.”
In this moment of tremendous suffering and opportunity for renewal, we continue to ground our work at SVPLA in the principles of anti-racism. Arundhati Roy calls this moment "...a portal, a gateway between one world and the next." Read on for updates on what's been happening at SVPLA as we practice new realities, partnering with leaders building new-world systems of wellbeing.
Highlighting SVP collaborators
We are appreciating the wisdom and leadership of our collaborators in the SVP network who work tirelessly to advance justice and equity, in this moment and beyond.
“An Open Letter to Philanthropy and Government Leaders: Equity Meets Its Moment,” by the Black Equity Initiative, collaboratively led by SVPLA Board Member Kaci Patterson.
"What You Can Do to Support Black Communities: Calling Philanthropy Into Action." Watch the replay of this Southern California Grantmakers conversation with Kaci Patterson (SVPLA Board Member), Gloria Walton, Nike Irvin, Rev. Sam Casey, and Christine Margiotta (SVPLA Executive Director).
“Five Ways Donors Can Act Now For A More Just Post-Pandemic World,” by SVP International CEO Sudha Nandogopal.
“Yes. Safety, Respect and Equity Count in a Pandemic,” by SVPLA Partner Elana Wien.
"Philanthropy Meets Advocacy: Rules of Engagement for Impact" a conversation at the virtual 2020 CA Philanthropy Summit, featuring SVPLA Partner Hillary Moglen.
We're excited to announce the date for our first-ever Virtual Fast Pitch!
We were saddened to postpone our 12th annual Fast Pitch event earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our 10 presenters had been working hard on their pitches, each supported by two SVPLA coaches over a 10-week training program to hone a powerful pitch of their systems change work.
Although we won't be able to gather in person for some time, the work of our presenting organizations remains as crucial as ever - which is why we're thrilled to announce that we will be showcasing them via our first ever Virtual Fast Pitch!
Join us online on Thursday, August 6th, 3pm PDT to hear the pitches from the 10 leaders currently participating on the SVPLA Accelerator program. While they each began their efforts long before this pandemic, this moment only heightens the urgency of their work.
Alliance for Community Transit-LA (ACT-LA) | Laura Raymond
The Anti Recidivism Coalition (ARC) | Sam Lewis
CicLAvia | Tafarai Bayne
Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) | Brian Kaneda
Freedom for Immigrants | Christina Fialho
Initiate Justice | Taina Vargas-Edmond
LA Compost | Michael Martinez
LA Forward | David Levitus
Los Angeles Room & Board | Sam Prater
Los Angeles Walks | John Yi
Read SVPLA Executive Director Christine Margiotta’s article, “Liberating our Future: 10 social justice leaders chart the path forward" for a reminder of the importance of backing our local social justice leaders.
Event registration coming soon, we hope to see you all there!
Systems Change Accelerator Updates
Alliance for Community Transit-LA (ACT-LA), as part of the Healthy LA coalition, have successfully urged LA City Council & Board of Supervisors to enact over 20 crucial protections for tenants, workers, and immigrants.
The Anti Recidivism Coalition (ARC) is hosting weekly Fireside Chats with people directly impacted by mass incarceration. See recordings here. Support their work in #ChangingTheNarrative by buying from their recently launched merchandise store.
CicLAvia was recognized as an Open Space Innovator as part of the 2020 ULI Urban Open Space Awards!
Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) and Freedom for Immigrants collaborated on the #Budget2SaveLives, urging California to divest from criminalization and mass incarceration, and invest in public health. Read the full budget here.
Initiate Justice is hiring! They're recruiting for a Director of Organizing in the Bay Area/LA region. Apply here by 6/30. Read Inside Organizer and Board Member Rahsaan Thomas' powerful article on how extreme sentence enhancements punish society.
LA Compost was featured in BioCycle magazine for their work in community composting, connecting people to the soil, our food sources, and the importance of a regenerative, sustainable food system.
LA Forward was named a finalist in the LA2050 Grants Challenge! LA Forward will be creating an interactive guide and campaign on how local government works and how Angelenos can make a difference. Sign up to join their June Monthly Meeting, launching the Neighborhood Organizing Campaign!
Los Angeles Room & Board is creating partnerships with community college dorms to reimagine the use of their vacant dorm rooms for students experiencing housing insecurity. Support the initiative here.
Los Angeles Walks was in conversation on 6/10/20 10am PDT with advocates from Los Angeles, New York, and Mexico City, as part of their fight for safe streets for pedestrians. Join the #3CitiesForSafeStreets convo on Twitter.
Celebrating LA2050 Finalists
SVPLA was honored to collaborate with the Goldhirsh Foundation as the evaluation partner on this year’s My LA2050 Grants Challenge. We are so excited to celebrate the announcement of the 25 finalists! See the announcement here, and get ready to support these incredible local initiatives via the public voting round - July 13-20!
Spotlight: SVPLA Programs Alumni
SVPLA Program Alumni are up to incredible work in LA:
LA-Más mobilized with local groups to launch the Northeast LA Community Response, calling neighbors, identifying needs, and connecting them to resources such as free food delivery, rent or mortgage information, and unemployment filing.
FreeFrom has a COVID care package, kids face masks, and hand sanitizers in stock. 70% of the cost of these products goes directly to the QTBIPOC survivor entrepreneurs who made them. All orders are packed and shipped by survivors making a living wage.
Vigilant Love is featured on NowThis, talking about how they are organizing to end Islamophobia and their new campaign #ServicesNot Surveillance.
ProjectQ provides a loving, inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ youth, and have pivoted to provide programs virtually as well as distributing Food & Hygiene Boxes. Learn more and support here.