Katrina@5 is a gathering of representatives from more than 30 philanthropic organizations, with the Association of Small Foundations acting as the organizing partner. Katrina @ 5 is built around the approaching fifth anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and it’s taking place in New Orleans March 22-24, 2010. ASF and its partners—national, regional, and local funders and funder networks—will affirm our support for the Gulf Coast and explore philanthropy’s role as a partner in disaster response, rebuilding, and transformation, We’re expecting close to 300 people to attend Katrina @ 5, and we’ll examine what has worked, what hasn’t, and what remains to be done.

We hope participants will gain information, inspiration, connections, and tools to advance their work. We’ll share best practices and knowledge on key issues—housing and homelessness, economic development, education, civic engagement, and more—brought to the forefront in the Gulf Coast by the impact of the hurricanes. Beyond that, we want to inspire sustained action and funding to address these issues in communities directly impacted by the storms, as well as across the country and even beyond.

New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are full of inspiration, creativity, and fresh approaches to recovery, rebuilding, and transformation. That said, significant work remains in the region, and we want the philanthropic community to see up-close the daily on-the-ground issues, the areas of unmet need, and the opportunities for action.

For more information about Katrina @ 5, visit www.KatrinaAtFive.org.

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