Sam Vaghar

How can foundations and grantmakers be more intentional about sharing power with communities directly affected by systemic racism and health inequity? A new @RWJF case study provides a behind-the-scenes look at our $5 million participatory grantmaking initiative, Building Local Alignment. Review how we worked to cede decision making control to outside experts and what lessons have emerged for our foundation and other funders as we seek to advance equity. Check it out today! #CommunityPower #EquityInAction #ParticipatoryGrantmaking https://bit.ly/3YdySRr

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Super important work by SAGE on the cutting edges of the global economy space-- using actual info from what women in their diversity, other carers, #workers, and #Frontline groups are planning and saying they need (rather than funders sitting in our towers in global capitals). #care #careeconomy #carework #feministfunding #feminism

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For anyone beginning a new strategic initiative or strategic planning process, this article is a wonderful resource. Congrats to Marilyn Darling and Veena Pankaj for the recently published "Seeding Impact: Shifting from Orchestration to Emergence." Full article at https://lnkd.in/eHD6QMcm #impact #strategy #strategicplanning #emergentlearning #systemschange

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In addition to community foundations, we are considering a small number of United Ways. Spread the word! We think the SDGs will be particularly useful as a vehicle for place-based racial equity work in the new environment we are heading into...

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We all want to be able to put healthy food on the table for ourselves and our families. But many of us face significant barriers to doing so. This week, Congress is again considering cuts to #SNAP, a policy that is proven to improve food access and reduce poverty. This comes at a time when new research from the Urban Institute shows that current SNAP benefits are not keeping up with rising food costs. The study—funded by RWJF—shares the latest data on the gap between meal costs and SNAP participants’ monthly benefits, a gap that remained high in 2023 despite that year’s cost-of-living adjustment to benefits. It is so important that we look at the numbers and see the reality of families’ experiences on this vital program! https://lnkd.in/ekiVjH7n

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For the past six months, the NGO community has been tirelessly advocating for the fundamentals required to deliver principled humanitarian aid in Gaza. We are horrified by the level of suffering and loss of life that we – and our teams – witness and experience on a daily basis in Gaza. We welcome recent commitments from US-Israel talks to support the humanitarian response and protect civilians, but these must translate into sustained progress on the ground and be followed by additional steps to address the humanitarian catastrophe. 1.1 million civilians are enduring famine conditions while the Israeli government has failed to provide the necessary conditions for unfettered access to scale up the humanitarian response and reach civilians across Gaza. The status quo is unacceptable. I’ve joined 50 NGO leaders to call for a series of concrete steps from US President Biden, including an immediate ceasefire, steps to protect civilians and aid workers, full and principled humanitarian access, secure the release of all hostages, and the prevention of a military offensive of Rafah where over a million civilians are sheltering. The US government should use all leverage, including security assistance, to achieve these outcomes. Read the full letter here: https://lnkd.in/ewW3nWKQ

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The result of the #USelection is staggering and heartbreaking. Read Equality Fund's CEO Jess Tomlin's op-ed in Context Newsroom on the power of movements to protect people’s fundamental rights and drive change. "This means making sure grassroots movements have the support they need to thrive in their work protecting and defending women's rights. The new political reality in the U.S. requires other governments to step up as funders and advocates, alongside more philanthropic dollars, bringing in the innovation of the private sector and critically harnessing our power as individuals in supporting movements every day." https://lnkd.in/gwnX_gS7 #GenderEquality #MomentToMove

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CLIMATE JUSTICE, A BY PRODUCT OF THE STRUGGLE FOR A MORE INCLUSIVE AND DEMOCRATIC NEPAL: INTERVIEW WITH TASHI LHAZOM In my latest piece (https://lnkd.in/dkzN_GKB) for The Himalayan Times, I interviewed Tashi Lhazom. Tashi Lhazom was one of the two guests at the course on climate organized by Planet Pulse Nepal and The Good Leadership. I wanted to know more about Tashi Lhazom, including her work as documentary maker describing the climate related threats faced by her village in the Limi Valley located in the Humla district. "No Monastery, No Village" (here the trailer: https://lnkd.in/dD4t5GAq) is an internationally acclaimed story financed by the Agha Khan University through its Voices from the Roof of the World. Yet what was supposed to be a conversation on climate change, ended up into a fascinating conversation on the status of democracy in Nepal, on the fact that local and national politics are not nearly enough inclusive and diverse. That's how Tashi Lhazom got into the issue of climate governance as she sees it as a sort of "dereliction of duties" by the state that is uncapable of providing support/assistance to citizens living in remote villages like hers. The piece wrapped up in this way: "The fight against climate action, Tashi told me, goes through a process that should be empowering for all those citizens that have been left out of decision-making. "Because poverty of power is the root cause of all forms of marginalisations," she told me.She concluded our conversation with the following statement: "By embracing this approach, we have a unique opportunity to transform Nepal and address the challenge of global warming, empowering marginalised groups like mine to have a meaningful voice and, yes, power."

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In a time when democracy faces unprecedented challenges, the State Infrastructure Fund is a beacon of hope, channeling donor dollars and optimism into safeguarding democratic processes across the United States. Our latest article on Inside Philanthropy explores how this fund is strategically mobilizing resources to support state-level initiatives that protect and strengthen democracy. #SarahHenry reports: How the State Infrastructure Fund is addressing threats to democracy Strategic initiatives supported by the fund at the state level The role of donor collaboration in driving impactful change Tagging The Overbrook Foundation CENTER FOR CIVIC POLICY John P. and Anne Welsh McNulty Foundation #DemocracyProtection #SocialImpact #StateInfrastructureFund #CivicEngagement #DemocraticResilience #DonorCollaboration #VotingRights #FairElections #DemocraticProcesses #PoliticalInfrastructure #DefendDemocracy #PhilanthropicImpact #InsidePhilanthropy #Philanthropy

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You can’t do more with less. You should not try to do more with less. You should enhance your impact instead. International and intermediary NGOs who support local organizations should refocus their efforts on creating what I’ve coined “civic architecture,” to weave together changes at the local level with convening, catalyzing, and community building globally. We need a civic movement to counter rising authoritarianism, food insecurity, climate change, war, and violence. At #DevexWorld, I enjoyed meeting other development professionals who are trying to navigate the changing landscape of our development sector. I appreciated the consensus around the challenges that scarce resources pose, and I loved meeting new professionals who have great ideas and energy for how we can create change. What were your takeaways from the #DevexWorld2024 conversations?

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I invite all my LinkedIn community and friends to nominate my work place Coalition of Muslim Women of KW (CMW) for #GivingTuesdayCA Today! It will take just 40 seconds. CMW is part of the #100kForGivingTuesday campaign, and I need YOUR support to win $10,000 for my organization. Here's how YOU can help: 1. Nominate CMW for the $10K by clicking the link below. 2. Use the hashtags #GivingTuesdayCA and #100KForGivingTuesday 3. Comment on the link why you want to nominate us and share your thoughts on how our work has impacted you or the community. 4. Nominate us by clicking here: https://bitly.cx/brYE 5. Share it with your friends, families and network through messages, email or reshare my post on your social media. Leave a comment when you are done with the nomination! #NominateCMW #100KForGivingTuesday #GivingTuesdayCA

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Great article by Ghada Abdel Tawab, Otto Saki & Sally Roever. Civic space has always been a powerful tool for organizing, sharing ideas, and holding power to account. It catalyzed the end of apartheid, advanced reproductive rights for Latin American feminists, and fueled global climate change movements. However, civic space is elastic: it can expand widely or be forcibly restricted. Workers, the world's largest organized movement, intuitively understand the importance of civic space. Despite facing immense challenges, they are using this space to counteract authoritarian abuses. A powerful example is the resilience of waste pickers. These 20 million "invisible environmentalists" play a critical role in urban sustainability, recycling 60% of the world's plastic and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, they face severe marginalization and unsafe working conditions. Supported by WIEGO, Latin American waste pickers spent six years building their collective voice to secure a hearing at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. This milestone moment marked the first official recognition of waste pickers' rights by a major human rights body. Victories like these protect and expand civic space and inspire other workers to organize for better conditions. The global waste pickers' movement has influenced UN Plastics Treaty negotiations, promoted extended producer responsibility, and inspired a documentary showcasing their fight for rights. In May 2024, the International Alliance of Waste Pickers held its first Elective Congress, a vibrant civic space where waste pickers from around the world elected their leaders and united for international recognition. Hosted by Argentina’s Union of Popular Economy Workers, this historic Congress was a milestone decades in the making. Together, let's support and expand civic space for all workers, ensuring they can continue to fight for their rights with dignity and justice. #LaborRights #CivicSpace #EnvironmentalJustice #WastePickers #GlobalSouth #WorkersUnite #HumanRightshttps //https://lnkd.in/gbhayubd

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2023 #Fundraising Report (1); #SocialMedia & #Online #Fundraising (2); #Trust Based #Philanthropy (3) + Donor-Grantee #Power Imbalances & #Nonprofit #Democratic #Leadership (4): https://ow.ly/1yEe50RyQne https://ow.ly/MeOp50RyQnb https://ow.ly/T3mO50RyQn6 https://ow.ly/7Iez50RyQn5

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  COP29 Special Report on Climate Change and Health, which identifies critical policies across three integrated dimensions – people, place and planet. Resilient Cities Network World Health Organization COP29 Azerbaijan Read 📖 here: https://lnkd.in/e6mJiCKx

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Excited to share our latest research on gender and energy policy in Sierra Leone, led by Sarah Appiah! 🌍🔋 Our study explores how international and local stakeholders shaped Sierra Leone’s National Action Plan for gender mainstreaming in energy access. Key findings reveal a complex landscape where international donor priorities and civil society efforts intersect with national economic development goals. Highlights include: 🚺 SL’s unique approach addressing systematic barriers to women's energy sector participation ☀️ Strong emphasis on solar energy development 📢 Critical role of civil society in policy implementation The research illuminates the delicate balance between international development ideals and local economic priorities. While challenges remain, this work provides crucial insights into advancing gender equity in the energy sector. Many thanks to co-authors Rajah Saparapa, Mawunyo Agradi, PhD., Thomas Klug and Isaac Nunoo, PhD! This is the second of four case studies, covering also Senegal (published!) Ghana and Kenya. Thanks to the Sustainable Energy Transitions Initiative and Environment for Development for the initial funding to start this project! https://lnkd.in/eGGpkyja #GenderEquity #EnergyPolicy #WomenInEnergy #SierraLeone

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Since October 8, more than 29 water facilities have been destroyed across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. These are not just structures—they are critical lifelines that took years, effort, and dedication to build. Each one represented a step toward sustainable access to water, essential for every community’s health and resilience. Having worked in both regions, I know firsthand the significance of these facilities, and it's devastating to see the hard work of so many colleagues and organizations being reduced to rubble. This damage isn’t just physical; it’s a setback to basic human rights and a direct threat to people's access to clean water. In times like these, we must remember the importance of preserving infrastructure that serves the people, and I stand with all those affected. It’s crucial that we continue advocating for the protection of essential resources and the people who depend on them. #WaterIsLife #HumanitarianNeeds #Lebanon #ProtectInfrastructure #StopDestruction

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Pregnancy and childbirth should be a time of joy and excitement for new parents, not one where they must worry about receiving adequate care.  What can we learn from Rwanda, where the maternal mortality rate has dropped a staggering 84%? Community-based healthcare providers—who actively listen to women's needs and opinions, and deliver culturally sensitive interventions—have worked wonders for Rwandan families, helping them feel supported and informed. For centuries, women of color in the U.S. have been pivotal leaders, organizers, and advocates for ending the maternal mortality crisis. As a nation, we must do more to follow their lead and protect expectant mothers and their babies. https://lnkd.in/g3438wcQ #MaternalMortality #HealthEquity #MaternalHealth

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