What's New?

A Story of Making Connections across the Divides of Race, Class and Culture How one man’s journey from a Louisville housing project to the governor’s office demonstrates the power of networks. Reflections on how Making Connections began its work in local communities, using “STLs.” Finding new ways to get Beyond Welfare Reflections on building resident power and capacity for change Helping residents train for good jobs in San Antonio Using culture to build community in Oakland How residents got a seat at the table in Indianapolis Getting people to work together on the needs of women and girls in Des Moines The influence Making Connections had in Hartford The long and winding road to the 'new normal' in White Center

The Grassroots Grantmakers

Building Resident Power and Capacity for Change: An ‘on-the-ground’ reflection about what it takes for funders to work effectively with low-income communities

This report, done for Grassroots Grantmakers, developed out of an “on-the-ground” meeting involving 50 funders who support grassroots organizations in low-income communities. Through in-depth interviews it explores many topics raised at this meeting, including the need to build strong relationships with communities, to build the capacity of these communities and to build the capacity of foundations to do this work.

Entire report

1. Build strong relationships with communities

2. Build the capacity of these communities

3. Build the capacity of your foundation to do this work and of the funder community to support this work

4. Build new approaches to insuring accountability

5. Look for ways that this work can add up to broader social change