Building Collaborative Civic Engagement in MA: Why Now?  A Conversation with Matt Barron - Heinz Endowments

While many funders may feel pressure to limit their support for civic engagement and pro-democracy work because of perceived risk or exposure, now is not the time to hesitate or pull back. It is precisely now that building intentional, inclusive, community centered civic infrastructure is essential to ensure a healthy, fully representational future for the Commonwealth.

Bay State Progress and Philanthropy MA invites you to a conversation with Matt Barron, Program Director for Democracy & Civic Participation at The Heinz Endowments in Pennsylvania, for a candid conversation about the story of one foundation’s journey from hesitancy to fully embracing civic engagement as a core component of their grantmaking strategy. Matt will share their staff and board educational processes, challenges, sticky questions about tax status and partisanship, and what led to the ultimate realization that the success of their program goals was intimately tied to the civic participation of the residents in the most impacted communities. Today, Heinz and Matt are relentless champions for building civic infrastructure in Pennsylvania. 

 

Matt will discuss Heinz’ initial concerns when approached by civic engagement advocates; the conversations that informed their change in attitude and approach; and what the value proposition for achieving Heniz’ mission has been since making the shift. Matt will also talk through how the Heinz’ experience and learnings around funder organizing can help advance civic infrastructure development in Massachusetts.