Dates/Time
April 26 - April 28, 2017
1:30 pm-12:00 pm
Location
The Baxter Hotel
Photo: Shasta Greiner, The Trust for Public Land, Story Mill Community Park, Bozeman, Mont. Join us in Bozeman to learn firsthand about the Story Mill Community Park and redevelopment project, a compelling illustration of the community working together to protect and transform 60 acres to achieve important social, ecological, and economic objectives.
Register Now!
INTERMOUNTAIN WEST FUNDER NETWORK 2017 CONVENING Big Shifts: Local Solutions
APRIL 26 – 28 | BOZEMAN, MONTANA
Hosted by The Kendeda Fund and The Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities.
The Intermountain West Funder Network (IMWFN) is pleased to convene in 2017 on April 26 – 28 in Bozeman, Montana.
The convening will begin with a half-day “learning from the place” site visit and a welcome reception and dinner on Wednesday, April 26th with guest speaker and author Todd Wilkinson, followed by a full-day meeting and funder dinner on Thursday, April 27th, and a half-day meeting on Friday, April 28th (concluding by 12:00pm MST).
We will explore a number of important strategies related to our theme, “Big Shifts: Local Solutions” on the transformative work happening at the local level to advance sustainable environmental and economic communities in the intermountain west. The agenda will be designed to reinforce the important role that the philanthropic community plays to advance community-led solutions to social and ecological challenges across our western landscapes, and to plan for the road ahead. The agenda is being planned by funders for funders, and will include opportunities to learn from peers and from place.
SPECIAL INVITE from Hopa Mountain for a Funders Study Tour to the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations April 23-25, in advance of the IMWFN convening in Bozeman. Register by April 15th and contact Dr. Bonnie Sachatellow-Sawyer at Hopa Mountain at (406) 586-2455 with any questions.
Agenda Overview (all times MST)
Updated! AGENDA with Speakers
Wednesday, April 26th
• 1:30 – 5:30 p.m. Half-Day Site Visit
• 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Welcome Reception & Dinner
Thursday, April 27th
• 8:00 a.m. Breakfast Available in Meeting Room
• 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Full-Day Meeting, The Baxter Hotel
• 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Funder Reception & Dinner
Friday, April 28th
• 7:30 a.m. Breakfast Available in Meeting Room
• 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. About the IMWFN (optional)
• 8:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Half-Day Meeting, The Baxter Hotel
Meeting Highlights
Site Visit: Bozeman Join us to explore the gem of Big Sky country in southwestern Montana. Exemplary of many communities in the west, Bozeman is experiencing growth as it attracts residents for its quality of life, scenery, and nearby recreation. Highlights include: the Story Mill Community Park and redevelopment project that was once designated for an upper end housing development and is now emerging as a vital public resource. An 8-acre affordable housing project being planned immediately adjacent to Story Mill for Bozeman’s working class and seeks to ensure equity in bringing people to parks from all walks of life. The Gallatin Valley Groundwater Mitigiation Bank as an approach to improve water use and quality in this western, agricultural, and urban hub.
Western Lands and Communities: Connecting with Rural Citizens Since the 1970’s, the Western Organization of Resources Councils (WORC) has worked with communities across the west and developed a regional network of grassroots community organizations with a commitment to building sustainable environmental and economic communities. Patrick Sweeney is a Senior Advisor for WORC and served as the Executive Director for over 30 years. He will share his perspective on organizing in western rural communities and the challenges that lay ahead in connecting with rural citizens on issues such as water, energy, and agriculture.
Resilient Communities and Local Economies in the Intermountain West Local, community-driven efforts have strengthened and improved small towns and rural communities across the intermountain west. How can philanthropy partner with communities to create more livable communities and a better quality of life? The panel will explore what we’ve learned and how we can expand our understanding and knowledge of the best ways to increase our impact and support local and regional work that engages people in decisions that result in more resilient communities and local economies.
Native-Led: Strengthening the Circle and Building Community Wealth How can philanthropy best support and partner with organizations anchored in the culture of the people they serve and expand economic opportunities in under-resourced communities? Session leaders will share their insights and knowledge on building intentional partnerships, strengthening local nonprofits, investing in citizen leaders, and fueling local economies in Native communities.
High Divide: Key Opportunities in a Rural Landscape Hear firsthand about how this collaborative conservation framework is making a real impact at a large landscape level on critical issues such as climate change and on the ground for rural ranching families. How does this yes/and approach to communities and conservation work? What are the unique challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned? We will explore this collaborative approach that brings diverse stakeholders together at the local level, including how to support and expand these efforts.
Philanthropy and the New Political Landscape National and local voices will offer analyses on how the federal transition may affect issues of importance to communities in the west, and the forward-looking strategies that will help philanthropy to remain impactful and effective. We’ll explore the importance that states and cities play in shaping, advancing, or blocking progress on issues, and the opportunities and challenges ahead for funders.
Building Community Power and Capacity to Drive Change There is powerful evidence that outcomes improve when the people most affected help define, take action, and over-see the results that lead to improvement. The Community Democracy Workshop will discuss the best practices to build the power and capacity for community self-sufficiency and self-determination, and effective pathways for funders to align and support this work. An open, facilitated dialogue with funders for an exchange of ideas and strategies will be a part of this session.
Who Should Attend
Registration is open to donors, staff, directors, and trustees of public and private foundations, corporate grantmakers, and government funders throughout the Intermountain West and the nation. We welcome funders, wherever they are in the continuum of learning about and engagement in this work. We are seeking to create a gathering of funders who are engaged in this field with the goal of facilitating a strategic conversation about where philanthropic resources can have the greatest impact.
Lodging
The Funders’ Network has reserved a small block of rooms at the Lark Hotel in downtown Bozeman with a discounted room rate of $134.00 per night for convening attendees. To book your hotel room, call the hotel toll free at 866-464-1000. When calling to book your reservation, reference the Funders’ Network group block. If your reservation does not reflect this rate, please contact Ashley Quintana at ashley@fundersnetwork.org or at (305) 667-6350 ext. 201 and she will adjust your reservation accordingly. Room rates are subject to sales/room taxes, which are currently 7%. The group rate ends on Friday, March 24th. We encourage you to reserve your room as soon as possible.
Each attendee must make their own reservation and identify themselves as members of the group in order to take advantage of the group rate. Attendees are responsible for paying for their own accommodations and booking their own travel. Meals during the convening are provided.
Registration
This meeting is underwritten by the supporters of the Intermountain West Funder Network and local hosts. As a result, there is a modest registration fee of $250.00 to participate in this convening. The registration fee is waived for members and contributors to IMWFN. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Funders’ Network and IMWFN supporter (registration fee included along with other benefits), please contact Amy Swiatek. Click here to register. The registration deadline is Friday, April 14, 2017.
Special Note to Community Foundations: Registration Fee and Travel Stipend
Community foundations may receive a discounted registration fee of $150.00. Community foundations may also request a travel stipend of up to $500.00 per community foundation to help cover lodging and travel costs to/from Bozeman. First priority will be given to community foundations which are new to the IMWFN or those which have not attended a previous convening. There are a limited number of stipends available, so please register early.
For questions or further information, please contact Amy Swiatek at amy.imwfn@gmail.com or (919) 525-3014.
IMWFN IS SUPPORTED BY:
Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities
Gates Family Foundation
George B. Storer Foundation
Great Outdoors Colorado
Kendeda Fund
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
L.P. Brown Foundation
LOR Foundation
New Belgium Family Foundation
Orton Family Foundation
Walton Family Foundation
