Equity, the Deep (Grass)Roots, and Community-led Change

Click here to register. More info on logistics is below.

Come join us for the next in our series of highly regarded learning gatherings for those who are investing in local communities  and resourcing the groups that everyday people form for mutual aid and collective action – making their communities more welcoming, vibrant, resilient and just. We are thrilled to partner with ioby (stands for “In Our Back Yards”), headquartered in Brooklyn with work around the country.

Grantmaking is changing. And ioby is a leader in that change.  Ioby  is a ground-breaking vehicle for resident-led change, using the power of online crowd-funding and resource organizing to spur resident-led change in diverse neighborhoods at the “deep-roots” – groups with no paid staff, nonprofit status or an existing donor base. Through ioby, residents have tools for building social and monetary capital and increasing citizen engagement and leadership, all in the context of improving neighborhoods and making institutions more responsive to people who might otherwise be ignored.

Come explore:

• How small-scale projects can spur real democracy and build power in low-income communities and communities of color
• How online fundraising can build equity and resilience
• How small-scale movement-building can strengthen communities on the local, regional and national scales
• What the citizen-led, citizen-funded project model means for the future of philanthropy and grantmaking

At the OTG, you will get the chance to meet ioby leaders, see their work in community, and explore together with them, other resident leaders and grantmakers and practitioners from around the country the issues that make supporting grassroots work such a joy and a challenge at the same time.

Not Like Other Conferences

Attending On the Grounds is not like attending a regular conference. We offer you opportunities for dialogue and learning that honor the knowledge in the community and share best practices from the field.  We offer a “Learning Marketplace” that allows participants to share their knowledge or explore a question with peers.

The benefit you will receive from the On the Ground is highly dependent on how you show up (present, curious, and ready to co-create) and what you do (engage, contribute, question). While guarantees are hard to come by, we are hoping to create an environment that will enable you to leave Brooklyn with:

• Recharged batteries and some new tools to add to your community change toolkit
• Insights about resident-led grantmaking and information that will help you consider, design, launch or strengthen a resident-led grassroots grantmaking program
• Some fresh ideas about what you can do to support, promote and celebrate community building in your community

Who will be attending?

On the Grounds are designed for people who are working to strengthen and resource the work of everyday people and the groups that they form for mutual aid and collective action.  Membership in Grassroots Grantmakers is not required to attend.  While our agenda may lean towards learning about working from a position of “funder” (and by that we mean philanthropies, public sector entities, United Ways, giving circles, crowd-funding platforms, community-based funders and individual donors – basically, any entity that is investing resources directly in grassroots groups), our welcome mat is also out to practitioners and community residents who are actively working to grow the power and contribution of groups of everyday people in the places they live, work and play.  We especially welcome teams from the same community that include people working together from different perspectives.

Logistics:

 What does it cost to attend?

Registration is $300/person for Grassroots Grantmakers members and people who register through a member organization. Registration for non-members is $600/person. You can join Grassroots Grantmakers when registering to be eligible.

The registration fee will cover on-site transportation, materials, and most in-meeting meals. Participants are expected to cover their own lodging expenses, meals outside of the meeting agenda, and travel from their home community to Brooklyn.

What about hotel accommodations?

We have a block of sleeping rooms reserved at special rates. To receive these rates, these hotel rooms must be reserved by August 31, 2015:

a) Holiday Inn Express, 625 Union St., Brooklyn, NY 11215; 718.797.1133; $220.38 total, single room (includes tax). 2 minute walk to an easy 10 min subway ride.

b)Comfort Inn, 279 Butler Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217; 718.855.9600; $189.38 total, single room (includes tax). 8 minute walk to an easy 10 min subway ride.

Please call to make your reservations at the number listed above.

Are there other lodging options available?

Brooklyn has many hotels.  Please  contact us  if you have other lodging preferences. We may be able to help.

How do I register for On the Ground Brooklyn?

Please register by clicking  here . Multiple registrations from one organization can be submitted at one time; registration fees for multiple registrations can be easily handled with one payment. You will receive an email confirmation after you register, and we will hold your space unless you notify  Lisa Duran  that you will not be attending.

How do I submit payment of my registration fees?

Our online registration system will request payment at the time of registration via credit card.  If you to prefer to handle payment via check,  please contact us  and we will process your registration and send an invoice for the registration fee.

What if I register but need to cancel?

We can accept cancellations and issue a full refund of your registration fees until September 15, 2015. After September 15, we can accept your cancellation but cannot issue a refund. If you are unable to attend but would like to offer your registration to a colleague, we will be happy to make that switch if you contact us with that request.

When will I receive meeting materials and specific logistical info?

We will send the basic information that you will need via email about a few days before the gathering and post information under the On the Ground Brooklyn tab on our website.

What is the proper attire for this gathering?

Casual, of course! We will be on and off a bus several times a day so comfortable clothes and shoes for walking are definitely in order!

Other questions?

Please contact  Lisa Durán  for anything else you need to know. You can reach Lisa via  email  or phone (303.881.5021).

Register Now – Click  here  to register.