Small Business Development: Funder Learning Collaborative Meeting
We are thrilled to invite you to our February Small Business Collaborative Network Meeting! This dynamic session is designed to inspire, connect, and guide our shared efforts to strengthen the small business ecosystem in Massachusetts.
This meeting will be an invaluable opportunity to:
- Learn from innovative partnerships and strategies already making an impact both locally and throughout the country
- Collaborate on designing principles to guide our 2025 work as a network
- Deepen connections within the small business community
What to Expect
Our session will feature insights from three incredible leaders who are driving impactful initiatives:
- Natalia Urtubey, Foundation Fellow at Eastern Bank Foundation, will provide an overview of the Business Growth Task Force. Since January 2023, this task force has been building a stronger ecosystem through Business Service Organizations, with exciting opportunities on the horizon
- Kristine Michie, of ImpactFull who serves as the Project Manager for the NY Small Business Funder Collectives at Philanthropy New York will share key insights from their three years of work which will include unique grant-making processes to big wins, you'll hear what’s next for this thriving initiative
- Lily Sargeant, Senior Program Officer for US Partnerships at the Wagner Foundation, will discuss their strategic, place-based approach to supporting small businesses. Learn how their work intersects with health, wealth, and systems change to create lasting impact.
About the Collaborative:
Together as a group of funders, we will identify needs, set shared goals, and develop strategies to enhance the support system for small businesses in Massachusetts. As a participant, you'll engage in discussions, share insights, and explore innovative solutions with fellow funders, both via Zoom and occasionally in person. Join us if your foundation funds in this area and you have the availability to attend regular Collaborative meetings (approx 6 per year).
Please feel free to reach out to the project manager for this collaborative,
Karleen Porcena, if you have any questions.