Grounded by the pandemic, community groups are working to save Cleveland's Census

The City of Seattle partnered with Zillow to create a searchable database of affordable vacant rental units. Case managers are using the tool to get homeless residents into housing.

Evaluating evidence of an organization’s impact informs charitable giving. Ratings organizations like ImpactMatters and Charity Navigator provide transparency to donors by reporting on the effectiveness of charities and social programs. The organizations make comparisons by analyzing the tax forms of nonprofits. Some, like GiveWell conduct further investigations and provide in-depth evaluations.

Because Middle Easterners are classified as “white” in the U.S. Census, their specific needs and identities are not disaggregated. This lack of visibility may prevent discriminatory treatment, but it also impacts the allocation of government resources and leaves many feeling unrepresented in their country. The Arab American Institute is again pushing for change ahead of the 2020 survey, an effort that has now spanned decades.

In Philadelphia immigrants are driving population growth in the Northeast region of the city, in neighborhoods traditionally occupied by mostly white, Irish-Catholic, senior citizens. The “number of immigrants increased from 26,942 in 2000 to 48,623 in 2015, a leap of 80 percent.” However, city leaders, nonprofits, and schools are pulling in resources to help the growing immigrant population, many of whom are refugees.

Existing services and resources for entrepreneurs disproportionately do not help minorities and women, making it difficult for them to become successful. Programs such as MORTAR aim to help these under served entrepreneurs by providing capital to help their businesses take off.

In Tanzania, Population Services International is leading a project using Human Centered Design to solve reproductive health issues with the support of a philanthropist who is not only funding the project but it is bringing her expertise to support the work. This new philanthropy model has been launched by Maverick Collective and is stepping away from the traditional model, allowing philanthropists to work together with design and implementation teams.

Following the closure of USAID and the loss of funding for its projects around the world, Project Resource Optimization was formed to help match projects in need of support with potential funders. Though the organization is not able to make sure every USAID-funded project is able to continue, it has helped secure roughly $26 million for 24 projects so far.

Participatory budgeting gives residents a direct say in how municipal funding is allocated by allowing them to submit project ideas and vote on proposals created by city staff. One program in Rhode Island, for example, saw nearly 300 people in nine neighborhoods voted on project ideas, with nearly a quarter of those voters reporting they were unlikely to vote in typical elections.

Sacramento’s Cannabis Opportunity and Racial Equity program is helping people who were adversely affected by discrimination during America’s war on drugs to start businesses in the regulated cannabis industry. Qualifying entrepreneurs receive wraparound support including funding and small-business education. So far, 10 dispensary licenses have been awarded to participants.

SwemKids teaches children of color how to swim and increases access to water freedom while also helping them overcome fears and trauma they may have in regard to swimming.