Andrew Huzar

🧐 Shifting Perceptions on Homelessness: The Role of Economic Pressures 🏠 Recent polling shows that while many Americans still believe homelessness is driven by personal factors like addiction (57%) and mental illness (52%), there’s a growing awareness of the economic drivers. Over half of respondents now cite housing costs (56%), inflation (52%), and low wages (46%) as major contributors. This shift is critical. As someone deeply invested in homeless services, I see firsthand how systemic issues—housing affordability, lack of safety nets, and upstream systems like foster care and criminal justice—are pushing more people into homelessness. But there’s still a long way to go. Public understanding remains incomplete, with only a small percentage recognizing the impact of policies like zoning restrictions or the absence of strong social supports. The good news? People are beginning to see how homelessness is outpacing solutions, which opens the door for more advocacy, education, and targeted policy changes. This is the moment for homeless service providers to amplify our work, highlight the success stories, and push for systemic changes that address the root causes. 💬 What are your thoughts on the public's evolving perception of homelessness? Let’s continue the conversation on how we can work together to create lasting solutions. #Homelessness #HousingCrisis #HomelessServices #Advocacy #AffordableHousing #NonprofitLeadership

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Check out this insightful interview with our partners at Children's Advocacy Alliance

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Want to make a positive impact, but unsure how you can make a difference? Learn how a donor-advised fund can help you plan your giving on a timeline that works for you. https://lnkd.in/eYsGGMrA

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William Penn Foundation completed a strategic plan that resulted in community-centered grantmaking. One thing it learned? You don't have to be trendy and lean into what can be false buzzwords like "innovation." Sometimes, it makes more sense to focus on, and build up, what you've already got. Thanks to Inside Philanthropy for sharing this important story on the value of #strategicplanning and #puttingcommunityfirst. Here's an excerpt from Mike Scutari's article: "The strategic planning exercise yielded two big findings. First, individuals encouraged WPF to refrain from launching new initiatives and instead focus on strengthening existing institutions. They also implored WPF to center its grantmaking on what McCaney called “tangible, positive change in the near term.” "Both requests can conflict with how the prototypical board member is wired. “I think there's a tendency in the philanthropic sector to look for the big innovations, the silver bullet solutions,” McCaney said, “and in our experience, well-meaning funders can derail local community issues by imposing their own solutions, ideas and priorities.” The WPF board, which had been accustomed to what McCaney had called “directional grantmaking,” emerged from the strategic planning exercise committed to deferring to the wisdom of the community. "McCaney provided an anecdote to illustrate how this shift played out in a practical sense. While revisiting its Environment and Public Space program grantmaking, WPF leaders discussed whether its work should include funding for new parks or facilities. Community members weren’t sold on the idea and urged stakeholders to hold off on new projects until the city’s current facilities were properly maintained. The board took the feedback to heart. Moving forward, WPF’s public space work will exclusively focus on improving existing facilities. “It’s exciting to open a public library or build a new park, but what Philadelphia needs is more investment in maintaining what’s already there,” McCaney said. “It’s not sexy, but it’s what communities want.”" https://lnkd.in/ebGSG-8M

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“Thriving Non-Profits provided the members of the Action Dignity leadership and fund development team with a common language and common tools that we can use to move our agenda forward collectively, cohesively, and confidently.” - Dr. Francis Boakye, ActionDignity Executive Director                                      ActionDignity, based in Calgary, is a non-profit organization committed to facilitating transformational change within ethnocultural, racialized, and equity-deserving groups. Their work involves supporting community organizations in addressing challenges and implementing solutions. 💡 Learn more about them here: https://actiondignity.org/ “I can’t overstate the value and importance of these types of capacity-building programs for professionals in the non-profit sector. I would encourage every funder to support.” – Action Dignity cohort participant  Since their development through the Thriving Non-Profits program, Action Dignity has already made progress in implementing its revenue diversification plan. 👏 They are actively developing the fee-for-service training program and have identified potential partners for collaboration. We are so thrilled that our program has served organizations of many different missions and mandates like Action Dignity. We want to ensure the organizations we assist are financially strengthened, which helps communities thrive.   Looking to increase capacity and move your organization’s mission forward? Learn more about the Fall 2024 Thriving Non-Profits Cohort program. ➡️ Applications are open: https://lnkd.in/g_tjp5HG   #ActionDignity #transformationalchange #equity #nonprofit #revenuediversification 

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📢 Unfortunately, the legacy of redlining still looms large over Black communities today. This eye-opening article from Confluence Philanthropy sheds light on the dark history of redlining and its enduring impact on housing, wealth, and opportunity disparities. 🏠 Redlining, a discriminatory practice in the 20th century, continues to cast a long shadow, denying Black families access to mortgages and loans and perpetuating segregated neighborhoods and unequal access to resources. 💡 Despite progress, there's still much work to be done to address these systemic inequalities. We need bold, innovative solutions and investments that prioritize equity and justice. This includes supporting initiatives that promote affordable housing, financial literacy, and community development in historically redlined areas. 🤝 Let's come together to dismantle the lingering effects of redlining and create a more inclusive and equitable future for all. Check out the full article for insights and inspiration: https://lnkd.in/dpZfZbeM #Redlining #Equity #CommunityDevelopment #SocialJustice #DismantleInequality #thoughtleadership

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