From Trust to Transformation
How equity-centered philanthropy in Kansas Is redefining impact—for communities and funders alike. Convergence Partnership’s work in Kansas now offers a compelling case for prospective donors: when philanthropy centers trust, narrative power, and community leadership, the impact extends far beyond individual grants—transforming organizations, ecosystems, and the funders themselves.
From Regional Power to Statewide Impact
Grassroots organizing, coalition power, and the long-term work of equitable mobility in California. Philanthropy often underestimates what it takes to move public systems—especially at the scale of billions of dollars and across multiple jurisdictions. But in Fresno County, California, a different approach is demonstrating what’s possible when funders invest in trust, coalition power, and long-term civic infrastructure.
Funding Narrative Change: How Communities are Shaping and Wielding Narrative Power
Through in-depth case studies and spotlights by lead researcher and author Mik Moore, this follow up to the September 2022 Funding Narrative Change report explores a variety of powerful methods to advance community narrative power. From TikTok campaigns and documentary film, to community theater and local media engagement, it offers a window into the strategies that are shaping public will and driving systemic change. Moving from theory to practice, this report explores breakdowns on narratives, recommendations for funders, and insights on how community-led organizations are building and exercising narrative power to advance systemic change.
Season 2, Episode 5: Telling Our Own Stories: DocuCourse and the Power of Community Narrative
Featured Image Description: Avrell Stokes, president of BeGreat Together, shares insights from DocuCourse, an innovative educational initiative designed to empower communities through storytelling and digital media. (Photograph by BeGreat Together) Oftentimes, what’s positive isn’t what’s promoted. And that’s been one of my biggest frustrations. They want the drama. They don’t want the uplifting story that […]
Season 2, Episode 4: Hutchinson’s Fight for Justice: How Community Advocacy Revived a Civil Rights Office
Featured Image Description: Darrell Pope, former leader of the Hutchinson chapter of the NAACP, has partnered with Hutch in Harmony on civil rights initiatives aimed at promoting community equity and justice. (Photograph by Sandra J. Milburn/Hutchinson News) How many of my friends and kids with similar stories to mine fall through the cracks? I mean, […]
Season 2, Episode 3: Mutual Aid, Resilience, and the Fight for Justice in Buffalo
Featured Image Description: A memorial honoring victims of the TOPS supermarket shooting in Buffalo, New York, serves as a poignant reminder of community resilience and collective mourning. (Photograph by Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Now we need to make sure we have sustainable aid, ongoing. So we had to not only be boots […]
Season 2, Episode 2: TikTok, Transit, and Transformation: How Elevated Chicago is Fighting for Transit Equity
Featured Image Description: Jannice Newson, a former coordinator with Elevated Chicago, highlights neighborhood walkability and public transit access in her TikTok series “Can You Walk There?” Elevated Chicago advocates for equitable community development around transit hubs. (Digital still from Elevated Chicago video) I started the page because I was walking to the train station, and […]
Season 2, Episode 1: Holding the Land: Indigenous Resistance and Climate Justice in the Bayou
Featured Image Description: Chief Devon Parfait of the Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw works to prevent displacement and build grassroots community power in the face of environmental challenges. (Photograph by Devon Parfait) My whole story is a story of diaspora and displacement. We lost everything but what we had on our backs. That’s why tribal […]
Unveiling Our Theory of Change: Convergence Partnership’s Vision for Racial Justice & Health Equity
We’re excited to share Convergence Partnership’s Theory of Change—a roadmap guiding our journey towards health equity and racial justice. Rooted in our 2020 strategy shift, this vision places our work at the nexus point of racial justice and health equity and has shaped our collective efforts over the past three years. This Theory of Change underscores our collective aspirations and serves as a reminder of the transformative power we wield together.
A Note of Gratitude, Holding Hope for What’s Ahead
We are coming to the end of another year, one that was filled with heartache, loss, frustration, exhaustion, and pain. And at the same time, there is hope witnessing and experiencing the deep solidarity and collective strength of communities coming together. Read more from Executive Director Amanda Navarro, on Convergence’s year and commitments to a future where the resources and influence of philanthropy are fully aligned to the priorities of people at the frontlines of injustice.