Orion Bell

What Is Fiscal Sponsorship — and Why It Matters for Health Equity in Wisconsin Many community-led initiatives never move forward because launching a new nonprofit is administratively complex, costly, and time-intensive. Embolden WI serves as a fiscal sponsor for Wisconsin-based projects focused on health equity, health justice, and civic health. By operating under our established 501(c)(3), emerging initiatives can: • Raise tax-deductible funds • Apply for grants • Access financial oversight and compliance support • Launch more quickly and with lower risk Fiscal sponsorship provides the governance and financial infrastructure necessary for promising ideas to develop responsibly — while allowing project leaders to focus on impact. For funders and institutional partners, this model offers: • Accountability and fiscal oversight • Streamlined grant management • Reduced duplication of nonprofit infrastructure • A pathway to test and scale community-driven solutions On March 3rd, during The Big Share, we invite you to support Embolden WI’s role as a backbone organization advancing equitable, community-led change across Wisconsin. Invest in infrastructure. Strengthen innovation. Build sustainable impact. Donate today: https://lnkd.in/gsFbAPkk

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The African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission is holding a public hearing next month to discuss "repairing yesterday" and "restoring equity." But I have a question for the taxpayers and the general public of this state: Where are our reparations for the fraud and theft actively being committed by the State of Illinois? Right now, an entrenched administrative syndicate at the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is running a massive "ghost payroll" operation, draining federal grant funds to use as their own entitled, illegal slush fund. When my wife, Gina Rodriguez, an active IDHS timekeeper, blew the whistle on a $141,000 theft, the State didn't offer "equity." They offered destruction. On December 1, 2025, management issued a retaliatory order forcing Gina into a known toxic, hazardous facility. The engineered stress and environmental exposure caused her to suffer a massive stroke and hypertensive crisis. The State physically broke a female whistleblower to protect their theft. And now, the architects of this heist are actively covering it up—going so far as to weaponize a deceased administrator's (Stephanie Almond) IT credentials to retroactively scrub the digital audit logs. If we want to talk about "repairing harm," we need to start with the harm the State of Illinois is inflicting on its own public servants today. We are heading into an April 3rd Emergency Hearing fighting this corrupt machine entirely alone because they are trying to deny her medical care for the stroke they caused. We are publishing the forensic "Ghost Logs" on Substack today. (Link in the comments). It's time to demand accountability for the theft happening right now under our noses. Justice for Gina Rodriguez. Justice for the people of Illinois.

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  Independence Alliance is pleased to announce we are expanding our services to help people with disabilities live more independently in eight Northern Kentucky counties. As a new Kentucky Center for Independent Living (CIL), our organization will now provide the five core CIL services of Information & Referral, Peer Support, Advocacy, Independent Living Skills Training, and Transition Services. These services are available at no cost to people with physical, sensory, cognitive, and psychological disabilities in Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen, and Pendleton counties. The expansion is aimed at increasing impact and providing more people with the tools and support to pursue their own version of independence.  We invite you to learn more about our expanded services and how you can become empowered to lead an independent and inclusive life in the community. Contact Amanda Hardcorn, MSW, Kentucky Housing Coordinator & Independent Living Specialist, by email or by calling 513-338-5105.  

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The BCBSM Foundation, in partnership with the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and Superior Health Foundation, has awarded $632,590 to 14 organizations dedicated to improving the health and well-being of older adults in the Upper Peninsula. These grants will help community organizations expand caregiving programs, improve how care is coordinated, reduce loneliness and strengthen the workforce that supports senior care. Read more in our newsroom: https://miblues.co/4aA7h4m #BCBSMFoundation #SeniorHealth #UpperPeninsula

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Are you a journalist or working in a local news outlet (or know one)? Share this new funding opportunity offered by Press Forward Northern Michigan aimed at supporting small investments in news operations that would make a meaningful difference in the ability of news outlets to do their work. Funding up to $10,000 is available - applications submitted by March 16 will receive first consideration.

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Nonprofit Leaders: Lets Stop Wasting Money on Purple Shoes. 🩰 Too often, organizations assume they know the solution to a community problem without asking the people most impacted. That’s like saying: “All we need to do is buy everyone purple shoes!” You feel great about the fix, but the community says: “I have absolutely no need for purple shoes.” What costs more? ✅ $35.41 per hour to compensate a community member for sharing their lived experience ❌ Hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on a misguided solution The Michigan Health Endowment Fund sets a powerful example for the philanthropic and nonprofit community by committing to community-driven strategies. They recognize that lived experience is critical expertise. This approach reduces barriers, builds trust, and ensures solutions actually meet community needs. ⬇️ The blog post below highlights why paying for community input matters, and even suggests an hourly rate to guide equitable engagement. If we truly want to create lasting impact, we must value expertise that comes from lived experience. That means listening and compensating. ❓ How is your organization ensuring community voices are heard? #CommunityEngagement #EquityInAction #NonprofitLeadership #Philanthropy #PayForExpertise #CommunityDrivenSolutions #PhilanthropyLeadership #NonprofitImpact

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Community Health Centers are anchors in their communities — and capital investments help ensure we can continue serving Ohio families. With the March 12 State Capital Budget deadline approaching, health centers seeking funding should engage leadership, prepare strong project summaries, and connect with legislators. 🔗 Read more on how to secure State Capital Funding here: https://lnkd.in/gxs-iqgb With guidance from: The Center for Community Solutions. #ValueCHCs #CHCs #OhioPolicy

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I’m excited to share that the Michigan Homecare & Hospice Association has received a $220,000 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to launch a statewide initiative focused on strengthening retention and stability in Michigan’s direct care workforce. Michigan continues to face a serious shortage of caregivers, and this project goes beyond wages and training to address the real barriers workers face every day, including transportation, childcare, burnout, and access to support. Through this initiative, we are partnering with MissionCare Collective (myCNAjobs, CoachUp Care, MissionCare) and Humana to roll out CoachUp Care, a digital engagement and retention platform, while also laying the groundwork for a statewide Workforce Support Hub that connects caregivers with the wraparound resources they need to stay and thrive in the field. Proud of the collaboration behind this effort and grateful for the opportunity to support the people who make care at home possible across Michigan.

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