George McCarthy with the Ford Foundation and Ashleigh Gardere with JP Morgan Chase Foundation are co-chairs of the Neighborhood Funders Group conference meeting in New Orleans this week. NFG is a membership organization that supports community-based efforts to improve economic and social conditions in low-income communities.
Four years after the storms, these hopeful words have taken on an added significance to the people living along the Gulf Coast. The devastation that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita released upon Louisiana and the Gulf Coast is unprecedented and only uncovered the disparities that existed before these natural disasters. Years later, thousands of residents still toil to rebuild their lives and their communities. However, the people of the Gulf Coast have always been resilient. Their spirit, determination and sense of community were strengthened further after the storms with a call to renew, rebuild and recover. Local and national foundations heard this call and formed a partnership with the people of the region to invest in an unprecedented effort of renewal for the region. There is still much work to be done but there are many stories to tell-stories of hope. This week, participants at the 2009 Neighborhood Funders Group Conference will hear many of these stories from colleagues and community residents alike.
The theme of the 2009 NFG Conference, “Stepping Up: Creating a New Social Compact,” reflects the growing call for a new era of partnership between government, nonprofits and the American public. With the close of a decidedly anti-government administration and talk of creating a “New, New Deal,” many are asking what is the proper role of the public sector and how can philanthropy play a positive part?
This week, we welcome our colleagues from around the country to join us in this conversation here in this beautiful city that, despite its past hardships, has so much to offer and so much to teach us. In the weeks to come, we hope this is a conversation we can continue with our colleagues, community members, nonprofit partners and friends.
Ashleigh Gardere
J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation
Conference Co-Chair
George McCarthy
The Ford Foundation
Conference Co-Chair
