Rising Together: Reflections and Next Steps from GNOFN’s 2024 Fall Convening
The Greater New Orleans Funders Network (GNOFN) held its fall convening in November 2024, and we extend our deepest gratitude to our members and grantee partners who attended. Your commitment to advancing justice, equity, and wellbeing for all is both inspiring and essential. Together, we have cultivated a space of belonging and transformation, reaffirming our collective agency to build a future rooted in dignity and liberation.
This gathering arrived at a pivotal moment. As we navigate a national reckoning during this election season, we recognize the urgency of aligning our strategies with heart, hope, and bold action. Together, we explored four critical themes—Build, Amplify, Navigate, and Implement—that will shape our path forward.
Below, we reflect on each theme and outline actionable next steps to guide our shared work.
Build: Whole Parts to Piece the Whole
Our discussions in the Build theme emphasized the power of cross-sector collaboration, with deep caring for the community and a steadfast commitment to young people. We are assembling “whole parts to piece the whole.” This intentional approach requires us to break down silos, listen deeply to community needs, and take a data-informed approach to designing solutions.
Action Items for GNOFN and Members:
- Host regular debriefs and listening sessions to identify shifting community needs and emerging policy priorities.
- Continue building coalitions that sustain long-term impact, while prioritizing wellness and sustainability in every step.
Amplify: Yielding Power to Community Voices
Amplification goes beyond grantmaking—it requires us to yield power by elevating the voices of those most impacted. The convening challenged us to create intentional spaces for dialogue and feedback, ensuring that community voices guide our decision-making and strategies.
Action Items for GNOFN and Members:
- Establish more structured and consistent feedback loops with grantee partners and community stakeholders.
- Develop communication channels that amplify on-the-ground stories and perspectives, reinforcing a model of shared power and co-creation.
Navigate: Transforming Narratives for Collective Flourishing
In our exploration of how to Navigate our shared challenges, we acknowledged that transformation remains an ongoing journey. Achieving a multiracial democracy grounded in love and justice means investing in narrative strategies that elevate resilience and prioritize the wisdom of lived experiences. We were reminded that charity is not enough—we must lean into systemic change.
Action Items for GNOFN and Members:
- Incorporate a narrative strategy that centers liberation and equity.
- Provide tools for advocacy and storytelling to community leaders, and direct resources toward initiatives that shift cultural narratives toward justice and inclusivity.
Implement: Strengthening Community Through Action
Finally, the conversation around the Implement theme challenged us to translate our vision into actionable outcomes. This includes launching wellness initiatives, fostering multi-racial collaboration, and ensuring equity is at the core of all strategies. It is a call to align strategy with heart, committing to sustainable, justice-centered programs that prioritize the community’s wellbeing.
Action Items for GNOFN and Members:
- Develop and fund programs that amplify diverse voices, promote mental health, and foster healing.
- Partner with grantees to design measurable goals and track progress toward building equitable systems.
This convening was a powerful reminder of the possibilities that emerge when we come together with clarity, urgency, and hope. As we continue this work, let us remain anchored in the belief that transformation takes both perseverance and peace. The journey is ongoing, and the possibilities are endless. This is our moment to rise—to build a future where all can thrive, where equity is not an aspiration but a reality, and where community wisdom lights the way forward.
We are ALL in this together. Let’s move forward boldly, investing in the future of collective impact, justice, and sustainable change.
Let’s rise.
