Grassroots Environmental Justice
Unlocking Philanthropic Access for Frontline Communities
2023–24
Project images coming soon
Managed a 14-partner portfolio at the Packard Foundation, redesigning the relationship between a major funder and the grassroots organizations closest to the problems.
Context
Interim Program Manager at The David & Lucile Packard Foundation. Small grassroots organizations doing critical environmental justice work were locked out of U.S. philanthropic funding because they lacked the legal status and compliance infrastructure that larger NGOs have. The system was designed for big organizations, not for the communities closest to the problems.
My Role
Managed the full 14-partner portfolio. Led equivalency determination processes. Coordinated convenings across all partners. Sole Foundation representative on international field visits.
The Challenge
How do you redesign the interface between a major philanthropic institution and grassroots partners so that resources actually reach the communities doing the work?
Process
Led equivalency determination processes to expand small organizations’ legal eligibility for U.S. philanthropic funding. Coordinated convenings across all 14 partners. Facilitated integration of the palm oil supply chain program into the Foundation’s Global Climate Initiative through cross-team design sessions. Served as sole Foundation representative on multiple international field visits, leading with a philosophy of unlocking capacity for grantees.
Outcome
Expanded legal eligibility for multiple grassroots organizations to access U.S. philanthropic funding. Integrated palm oil supply chain strategy into the Global Climate Initiative. Coordinated a unified one-year workplan across the full strategy. Built trust-based relationships across 14 diverse partners.
Reflection
My whole philosophy at Packard was “how do we unlock more for you.” This wasn’t just grantmaking—it was systems design. I was redesigning the relationship between a major foundation and grassroots partners, expanding who could access resources and how. Philanthropy is design, even when nobody calls it that.