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A Luncheon for Western MA Funders

Join us in person for an outdoor luncheon gathering of the Western Mass Funders Network at Stanley Park in Westfield. The Park will be open before and after for anyone who may wish to explore the gardens. We will be in a covered pavilion but please dress for the weather. If we need to adjust our plans due to significant inclement weather, we will let you know ahead of time. Our alternate date is set for Thursday, May 29.  
 
Following our summer luncheon meeting in the Berkshires, we’ve held two virtual meetings to explore what funders are doing locally on democracy and civic engagement, learned more about local voting trends and the role of legislature given the crisis at the federal level. 
 
For our May meeting, we will have a funder only discussion and brainstorm on how to meet this current moment. We will learn from colleagues on how they are grappling with possible changes to their funding, pivots they are making and any challenges they are facing, especially around limitations they may face. We expect to share local and national perspectives. 
 
We are planning a short panel discussion followed by conversations at our lunch tables. This is an off the record networking and learning meeting. We are still building out this program so please reach out to the Western Mass Network co-chairs should you want to speak or help plan this meeting. 
 
Lori Kiely: LKiely@berkshirebank.com
Alex Russell: alexandra.russellb@gmail.com 
 
We look forward to seeing you there! Thank you to the Beveridge Family Foundation for hosting us!

About the Network:

The Western MA Funders Network is an inclusive network for grantmakers funding in, or based in, the four counties of Western Massachusetts: Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin. The network exists as a peer community to support grantmakers in the region and ultimately, to create a positive impact throughout Western Massachusetts.

A Network priority is advancing racial equity through grantmaking in Western MA. The intent is to do this for, and with, the most marginalized in the communities of the region. Network members desire to keep learning, dialoging on a regular basis, and collaborating in its effort to advance racial equity through grantmaking.