Engaging with Current Events

Credit: U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, retrieved via creative commons search

If you have been feeling like the world has been heavy as we close out the summer, we share that feeling with you. We want to lift up a couple of resources and opportunities (from PACE Members and other peers) related to current events that have hit our radar and might be helpful outlets or opportunities.

• Afghanistan: As information and realities are changing rapidly, Washington Post and New York Times have organized a list of organizations working on various sides of the rescue, relief, and resettlement efforts. In addition, the Women’s Funding Network invites philanthropists to join a statement of solidarity with marginalized genders in Afghanistan.
• California Wildfires: Philanthropy California vetted a list of response funds to direct resources to communities facing wildfires.
• Haiti: The W.K. Kellogg Foundation compiled a list of ways their grantees are responding to the earthquake in Haiti.
• Hurricane Ida: While the hurricane makes landfall, response and recovery funds have already launched at the Greater New Orleans Community Foundation and Baton Rouge Area Foundation.
• COVID-19: The Bernstein Family Foundation is supporting an expansion of an exhibit that will blanket the National Mall with over 630,000 white flags to represent and honor each person who has died from COVID-19 (it will also have a digital exhibit). The effort is actively looking for partners to support sponsorship, promotion, and volunteers.
• Because we all need a little kindness: Born This Way Foundation is launching #BeKind21, a campaign to encourage practicing kindness toward yourself and others each day from September 1–21.