Kate Williams

I am very excited to share “Migrationland”: Social and Economic Impacts of Demographic Churn in Maine and Cumberland County Post-Pandemic" coauthored by Rachel Bouvier, PhD and myself, and published by Maine Policy Review. "Maine is experiencing a historic demographic transformation fueled by the rise of remote work, pandemic-driven migration, and growing concerns about climate change. This article examines recent migration trends in Maine—particularly Cumberland County—using IRS migration data to analyze who is moving, where they are coming from, and how these shifts are reshaping the region. Findings reveal a significant influx of higher-income newcomers, with implications for housing affordability, income inequality, and local labor markets. While these shifts present opportunities for revitalization, they also pose challenges related to equity, cultural cohesion, and infrastructure strain. The article explores these dynamics through the lenses of economic vitality, social equity, and fiscal impact, offering insights and policy recommendations to help Maine communities adapt to rapid demographic churn." The full paper can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/gy-_9ysd

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Our second cycle of Project grants opens up next week, on September 15th. These grants are most relevant for orgs designing, implementing, or scaling a multi-year initiative focused on increasing economic mobility, with potential for impact in Kansas City. This process is competitive, with a focus on programs and systems change that could close college completion, career, and wealth gaps in our region and beyond. During our first Project grant cycle, 10% of applicants advanced, and the average grant size was $1.2M, with more than 70% of grants going to KC based organizations. To learn more about this upcoming cycle, including areas we're especially prioritizing, see below and join our upcoming webinars. Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

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A major win for our rivers, wetlands, and communities across Massachusetts! Governor Maura Healey has unveiled the #MassReadyAct, a $2.9 billion environmental bond bill that affirms what watershed advocates have long championed: healthy ecosystems are essential to climate resilience. This transformative investment will strengthen the backbone of our watershed infrastructure, restoring rivers and wetlands, improving water quality, and helping communities better prepare for flooding and extreme weather by funding long-overdue upgrades to our natural and built systems.

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📰 New series on collective and collaborative giving Alliance magazine has launched a new series on collective and collaborative giving models, commissioned by Philanthropy Together. The inaugural article outlines the current state of the field and explores the opportunities these approaches offer, arguing they represent more than money and more than traditional philanthropy. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gpFgQex3 #Philanthropy #CollectiveGiving #CollaborativePhilanthropy #GivingTogether #SocialChange #TAIWeekly Andrew Milner

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Being part of this evaluation process with Northwest Area Foundation was interesting and educational. It’s a big shift in approach for a lot of foundations, and I think a good one. We’re lucky that several of our Dakota Resources funders are finding ways to check the impact of their investments without putting extra pressure and stress on their grantees to put numbers on things where numbers are a small part of the impact story. If you want to understand more about program related investments (PRIs), here’s a good explainer from Venn Foundation. (Be sure to also click on “FAQs.”) https://lnkd.in/gS8kUd4x

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At the end of this month, we’re excited to launch the Climate Leaders Circle—a new space for climate leaders to dig into the thorny, complex, and high-impact challenges we face right now. This program is a natural extension of our Regenerative Transition Community of Practice and our Aligned Sustainability Reporting Initiative (ASRI), building on the incredible collaboration and peer learning these communities have fostered. While the Circle won’t be solely focused on regenerative agriculture or sustainability reporting, those topics will be part of a much broader conversation. Together, we’ll explore: 🔹 Target setting in a volatile economy 🔹 Navigating challenges with LCA data 🔹 Climate finance 🔹 Emerging tools and solutions 🔹 Strengthening climate strategy for the long run It’s about creating a trusted space for candid dialogue, shared problem-solving, and accelerating meaningful climate action. The current mix of participants includes CPG, retail, non-profit, and service providers. Complete the program interest form here: https://lnkd.in/gZ5CaAkB

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Maine nonprofit friends, the Maine Philanthropy Center has just launched a new Readiness and Response Fund, and it's open to all Maine nonprofits. This fund offers $15,000 general operating grants to help nonprofits: - Prepare for potential threats like federal funding cuts, social program reductions, or targeted harassment of marginalized communities. - Respond quickly to crises that are already impacting their work. Eligible applicants include all nonprofits based in Maine and/or the Wabanaki Nations of Maine. Upcoming webinars (June 26 & July 8) will explain more about the grant and are open to all. Recordings will be available if you can't attend live. Special thanks to Becca Gildred from United Midcoast Charities for sharing this news. Please click on the link below to find out more. https://lnkd.in/dCkTEz8z

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In philanthropy, trust-based approaches aren’t about removing accountability - they’re about redefining it. By funding relationships over transactions, and learning WITH grantees instead of just from them, funders can unlock the very thing traditional models often stifle: innovation, agility, and shared ownership of impact. Our recent blog explores how trust-based philanthropy changes the dynamics of power, data, and decision-making, and why it’s critical to building a more equitable and effective social sector. 🔗 Read more: https://hubs.la/Q03PP73d0 #TrustBasedPhilanthropy #Philanthropy #SocialImpact #Nonprofits #LearningTogether

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In philanthropy, playing it safe can mean missing what matters most. The social challenges we’re facing today: climate change, displacement, deepening inequality, require bold ideas and unproven models. But with boldness comes risk. And in the world of corporate philanthropy, that risk can feel especially heavy. At the Cisco Foundation, we believe that responsible risk-taking is essential to unlocking impact at scale. That means funding early-stage solutions that might not have a ten-year track record. It means supporting community-led approaches that don’t always fit neatly into traditional frameworks. It means trusting partners to experiment, learn, and adapt in real time. Of course, we monitor results. But we also value learning alongside our grantees, and we accept that not every bet will lead to a breakthrough. What matters is that we are moving with purpose, and that we are not waiting for perfection before we act. Social innovation thrives when funders make space for experimentation. We should not shy away from the uncertainty that comes with doing something new. Instead, we should embrace it, because the risks we take today may be what unlocks a more just and resilient future tomorrow. #SocialInnovation #SocialImpact

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