Brittany Janis, CFRE

Fascinating to learn in more detail about how participatory budgeting was combined with randomly sampled/stratified borough assemblies in NY. Sounds like a model that needs to be practiced more and awareness of it spread more widely. Community idea generation, borough civic lottery and vetting of ideas, voting, then funded implementation - very cool stuff. Read about it here: https://lnkd.in/gvHvKVzh

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Really appreciate this group of 60+ changemakers who assembled tonight to write to our legislators about transmission reform for the U.S. power grid. If you want to read on, see a quick summary below from the Climate Changemakers action alert on why this matters, then check out their post for how to take action. Why we need to add capacity to the U.S. electric grid? Demand for electricity is increasing and the current grid structure cannot support the expected electrification of enormous swaths of our economy as we try to rapidly decarbonize. Electricity demand also naturally increases each year as a byproduct of tech-heavy economic growth. There’s already more clean energy waiting to connect to the U.S. power grid than the total generation capacity of existing power plants. Grid capacity isn’t the only reason for that backlog, but the grid simply can’t handle that excess generation without expansion and modernization. How can we advocate for this issue? -Congress can pass federal laws that address key issues affecting building new transmission, like requiring transferability between regions, making it easier to permit new lines, and granting more regulatory authority to the federal government. (SITE Act, BIG WIRES Act, CETA) -State utility regulators can use their regulatory authority over electric utilities to improve how they use existing transmission lines. They can incentivize practices that reduce grid stress, like the use of grid-enhancing technologies or better demand management. -State governments can tighten requirements on utility regulators and approve transmission siting and permitting requests quickly.

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Achieving state climate goals is challenging — even with alignment from the governor’s office down through state agencies and the legislature. Take the recent case of New York, where Gov. Hochul has done an outstanding job of setting ambitious goals and executing well-thought out roadmaps to reach them. Even with this concerted effort, however, it's a challenge to ensure that a complex portfolio of solutions comes to fruition to reach high percentages of clean energy on time and on budget. But one thing is clear — distributed solar can deliver on its promise. We’ve long advocated for community solar, for example, because (among many other benefits), it can be sited, built, and scaled much more quickly and reliably than large-scale resources that may face lengthy delays at multiple points during the lifecycle of the projects. In New York, the state’s 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act mandate to achieve 6 gigawatts of distributed solar by 2025 is not only on track, but is ahead of schedule — making the state the clear leader in community solar capacity installed. The state is also on pace to achieve the Governor’s 10 GW by 2030 distributed solar goal ahead of schedule — and with the extra boost from the federal Inflation Reduction Act — cost effectively. In just a few years, these gigawatts will be built on time, under budget, and with mostly private capital. States are gambling with ratepayer money if they over-rely on large-scale resources to achieve their clean energy goals. Deploying distributed energy resources at scale is a critical component of a balanced portfolio of clean energy resources and should be a major part of any state’s climate plans. New York is real-life evidence that community solar works and even more reason to support NYSEIA’s recently launched campaign for 20 GW x 2035: Raising New York's Distributed Solar Goal. https://lnkd.in/g7zGBA4c #solarenergy #climateaction #communitysolar #localsolar #renewables

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I can't wait to get this work kicked off! Looking for a great consulting team to be our partners in this important (and exciting, hairy, complex...) effort. MassCEC seeks applications from consultants or professionals to create a Massachusetts-wide compensation mechanism for DERs providing services to the distribution grid. The work also includes the creation of an implementation roadmap with the objective of maximizing long-term DER adoption and participation. MassCEC is particularly interested in applicants with expertise in the valuation of services provided by DERs, program and market design, and stakeholder engagement. Enabling DERs to provide grid services is key to efficiently and affordably achieve our state's net-zero goals. This work will be conducted in collaboration with the Massachusetts Electric Distribution Companies (“EDCs”), the Department of Energy Resources (“DOER”), and the Office of the Attorney General (“AGO”), and will draw on insights from a diverse group of stakeholders. Funding available for this work is approximately $350,000. https://lnkd.in/et68K3xH

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Want to learn more about how you can participate in the Sixth National Climate Assessment? Join the webinar Thursday May 9 from 3-4PM ET. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eFJwYKBS #climate #NCA6 #NCA #climatechange #nationalclimateassessment #environmentalchange #science

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I appreciate the creativity of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving as the sector continues to rethink capacity building. Some years ago, while planning a conference for the Alliance for Nonprofit Management, I had the opportunity to connect with the Hartford Foundation and I found their commitment to capacity building impressive. As I've written about several times in the past five years or so, including a #trends2023 article I wrote with Trish Abalo, capacity building is a process...a long one at that! Too often we confuse capacity building with technical assistance. They are not the same thing! Technical assistance is focused on solving a problem or learning a new skill. Yes, it's necessary for funders to support technical assistance (TA) needs of their grantee partners, AND it's important to go beyond TA. Technical assistance is part of capacity building, the two must go hand-in-hand. This is what Hartford's Social Enterprise Accelerator program does. The foundation invested in organizations learning new skills for building fee-based revenue (TA), and the 30-month program (yes, two and a half years!) guides organization through business planning, implementation, and first year growth. The resources are available for success! As we consider the example of Hartford, and others, there are some key lessons for us to rethink capacity building... 💡 Long-term investments are crucial 💡 Centering racial equity is a must 💡 Unrestricted, multi-year grants ARE capacity building 💡 Asset-based approaches are more effective 💡 Culture matters (a LOT!) 💡 Systems thinking is critical (and yes, it's connected to racial equity!) 💡 Centering care and rest builds capacity for the long-term 💡 Unrestricted, multi-year grants are capacity building (in case you didn't hear it in the back!) What else is needed for effective capacity building? Would love to hear your ideas in the comments! #capacitybuilding #nonprofitleadership #equitymatters

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Kudos to all involved at FEMA on today's release of the FY23 pre-disaster mitigation grants under the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. As I wrote back in October 2023 when the Notice of Funding Opportunity was released, the Agency is literally putting its money where its mouth is regarding the importance of modern building codes; the Building Code Plus Up provided vital resources for every state, territory, and Federally-recognized tribal nation to make meaningful investments in codes-related initiatives. FEMA selected 129 building code-related subapplications -- totaling $55.7 million -- to support recipients to adopt and enforce hazard-resistant building codes. For comparison, across FY20-22, BRIC only received 49 subapplications for code-related activities. With the new Building Code Plus Up for FY23, BRIC received 137 building code subapplications (an 180% increase in building code subapplications submitted)!!! #BRIC #resilience #mitigation #buildingcodes #construction #architecture #engineering #disasters

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this part, #MYGOD: "If we are to build a just and inclusive world, those with wealth and power must mitigate their need to appear smart and special, acknowledge that they don’t have the moral authority to set priorities, accept that their role is to ensure that the people and communities most affected by systemic injustice have the resources and autonomy to lead, give Multi-Year General Operating Dollars (MYGOD), and otherwise get out of the way."

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This is for the elected officials in the room -- attend this webinar and learn about a way YOUR community can get cash back when you invest in clean energy projects. https://lnkd.in/dq56Zwzv

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!!! It’s an amazing day for environmental and climate justice. The Biden-Harris Administration has delivered on bringing forth vital resources to 21 communities. Thanks to the environmental justice movement, these investments represent one big step toward redressing environmental injustices in this country. From Texas to Alabama, to Tribal Nations in the Midwest, to across the State of California and more, the more than $325 million investments in 21 communities nationally will build solar systems, invest in nature-based solutions that solve for extreme heat and flooding, decarbonize low-income households and community centers, train people into well-paying jobs in clean energy sectors, and provide clean drinking water to thousands of people. Read about all 21 awardees here: https://lnkd.in/gs7TQQWT The best part: this is only the beginning! There are four more months to take advantage of this opportunity and many more award announcements to come. Let's celebrate these historic investments, and call to action the submission of many more applications! To learn more about these environmental and climate justice investments, and the Investing in America Agenda, see here: https://lnkd.in/encv9bD8 https://lnkd.in/gQE4qXri

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I’m ready - are you with me? With deep appreciation for the teams at PolicyLink, Civil Strategies, and to Midy Aponte for sharing - here’s to transforming the #Nonprofit sector and #NonprofitLeadership: “Nonprofits will need to build from a past rooted in charity and move toward a model of liberation—a future where our laws, regulations, customs, and institutions are structured so all people can thrive.” #Leadership #Leaders #Management #Liberation #RacialJustice #SocialJustice #AntiRacist #AntiOppression #LFG

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Join me and Peter Ciurczak on August 6th for a quick 30-minute author briefing on Boston Indicators new report on homelessness in Greater Boston. https://lnkd.in/dUi_nDj3 We'll look at recent trends in homelessness data, who specifically is falling into homelessness, and how Greater Boston's housing shortage contributes to higher rates of homelessness. Here's a graph representing one of our key findings - while Greater Boston has among the highest rates of homelessness of large U.S. cities, it also has among the highest rates of sheltered homelessness.

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For governments looking to unleash the power of data to tell the story of alternative 911 emergency response - check out this article from Betsy Gardner profiling our work at the GPL and our new tool, Essential Metrics for Alternative Emergency Response Programs!

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With climate impacts like coastal flooding, sea level rise, and extreme weather on the rise, it’s no surprise that that coastal resilience funding from the Inflation Reduction Act is already in huge demand, with a recent call for proposals from NOAA generating $16 billion in requests across 869 proposals. But House Republicans are advancing legislation in a markup today that would rescind $700 million for coastal resilience from the Inflation Reduction Act, including $390 for tribal priorities. Many of HR 7408's cosponsors are representing places–from the Gulf, Atlantic, and Pacific coasts–that are receiving this funding and reaping the benefits for their environment & economies. More communities deserve the same. We joined 60 organizations urging Congress to reject Rep. Westerman’s egregious attempt to rescind these critically needed funds. We need #OceanClimateAction, not climate denial.

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“I Want To Be The Help That I Never Received”: Barriers to BIPOC Representation in the Helping Professions & Recommendations to Address Them ·     Create a continuum of exposure opportunities for future BIPOC helping professionals ·     Provide training & technical assistance to nonprofit and university leadership on holistic, equitable admissions and hiring ·     Offer financial support and wraparound services to BIPOC people who are pursuing careers in the helping professions ·     Incentivize representation in degree programs and workplaces ·     Create more inclusive curricula and approaches at learning institutions ·     Offer foundational and remedial courses for underrepresented students and practitioners ·     Invest in advancement opportunities for BIPOC helping professionals ·     Create pathways for non-clinical professionals seeking employment in the helping professions ·     Provide mentorship and interpersonal support during degree programs, internships, placement, and in securing and advancing in permanent positions ·     Help students prepare for placement and licensure exams ·     Improve internship placement experiences ·     Improve working conditions ·     Promote reforms to orient the field toward justice and equity DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT: https://lnkd.in/dChPskCx

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NEW MODELING! Consistent with preliminary estimates that have been highlighted by the Shapiro administration, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) modeling concludes that adoption of PACER and PRESS would meaningfully drive down carbon emissions from PA’s fleet of fossil-fired power plants, protect and grow clean energy jobs, and result in overall utility bill savings for consumers. In short, this package squarely meets the governor’s three-part test on climate and energy policy. https://lnkd.in/e74sqqmq

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Infrastructure and clean energy transition projects have a history of bypassing — and often harming — low-income, tribal, and rural communities. Both the energy and the profits typically flow outward to urban areas and wealthy shareholders, while the communities where these projects are located see minimal jobs or economic growth. Philanthropy is in a unique position to disrupt this trend, bridging the gap between federal dollars and local impact. In a new piece for Inside Philanthropy, Matt Horton of Milken Institute and Accelerator for America and I outline the current state of affairs in green energy investments, and suggest ways for philanthropy to address common challenges and steer the green energy transition toward justice and equity. Specifically, we recommend that philanthropy focus on three areas: 1) Facilitating community input and benefits agreements so that projects reflect the rights and interests of these communities. 2) Funding green jobs and workforce development programs to ensure that the millions of new jobs spurred by investments are high quality and broadly accessible. 3) Advising state and local officials on how to use federal dollars for maximum community benefit. I hope you’ll read the article and let me know what you think! #GreenEnergy #Philanthropy #Equity https://lnkd.in/g5CGtsrr

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Join these sessions on July 10 to learn more about climate change in the Northeast US with Fifth National Climate Assessment authors and local experts.

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