Grassroots Leaders Networking Mini-Summit: Diversified Funding – Nov 21

Posted by Community Connections Collaborative on November 19, 2024

Come network with other leaders and learn together how to create new funding streams, build financial resilience, and thrive in today’s evolving landscape. Whether you’re looking to expand your donor base, explore partnerships, or tap into earned income, this event will provide practical strategies and expert insights to boost your organization’s financial health. Bring along any flyers or resources you’d like to share with others.

Date and Time: Thursday, November 21, 2024, 11:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Please register by Wednesday, November 20, 6:00 PM. While there is no cost for this Summit that starts at 11:30 AM with a networking lunch, everyone must REGISTER. When you register, you will be given the option to sign-up for any portion of the mini-summit.

Location: Philadelphia Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Community Center, 4200 Wissahickon Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19129

Here are the Summit panel and workshop leaders that will be participating:

Stephen St. Vincent (Panel)

Stephen is Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives for CIty of Philadelphia’s Managing Director’s Office. In this role he is responsible for identifying and driving strategic initiatives that support the city’s goals and objectives. He works with cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategic plans, monitor progress and ensure successful execution. In addition, Steven is the previous Director of Gun Violence Reduction Initiatives at the Pennsylvania Commission of Crime & Delinquency, and the former Director of Policy & Planning at the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.  Steven is an alumni of Swarthmore College and University of Michigan Law School. In his most recent roles Steven has shared funding resources and information and has demonstrated a strong support of grassroots leaders. Steven continues to send on-going funding opportunities to share with community stakeholders that is disseminated in our CTC coalition and beyond.

Morgan Berman (Panel, Alternative Revenue Workshop)

Morgan is a community leader with a passion for impact and serves as the Executive Director of Life Science Cares Philadelphia where she brings together an industry united to make a bold impact on poverty in Philadelphia. Working with over 70 local leaders  in the Life Science Industry and 30 generous and motivated companies, together the LSC team is able to support nonprofits doing incredible work every day to break cycles of poverty.

She has presented at Forbes 30 Under 30, was listed by the UN Foundation as one of the “Top 10 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch” in the world and invited to the White House for Clean Energy Plan talks. She has been a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, a Fellow at the Ariane de Rothschild Fellowship, honored by the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and an Environmental Leadership Program Senior Fellow.

Christopher J Holland (Panel, Business Partnerships Workshop)

Chris is the Co-Founder and COO of Connexus Technology.  He also helps direct a non-profit called The Common Place in Southwest Philadelphia. He and is Executive Pastor of Salt & Light Church; and is pursuing a Doctorate in Business at Temple University.    He brings a business mindset combined with social justice activism to all he does.  He will share the changing strategies he has been pursuing to fund The Common Place including the challenges and necessary research to form partnerships with business leaders.

Ashley Feuer-Edwards (Panel, Community Engagement Workshop) 

Building on more than 15 years experience in strategic planning, project and program management, and business development, Ashley founded AFE Strategies in 2017 to help social impact organizations move their ideas to action with strategic planning and project management support.  Drawing on her passion for helping others, she loves working with clients to identify and execute creative solutions to their most pressing organizational priorities. With an ability to see both the forest and the trees, she helps clients connect the dots in order to find solutions that are at once strategic, operational, and sustainable.

Through 2016, Ashley served as the Director of Programs and Strategic Partnerships with Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, where she led education and engagement initiatives for a diverse membership of more than 150 philanthropic organizations, wealth managers, family offices, advisors and other professional providers.  A core focus of her work was helping regional funders to be more strategic and collaborative in their grantmaking.

Prior to joining Philanthropy Network, Ashley led various strategic planning and business development activities for JEVS Human Services. She also served as a Project Manager and Business Development Manager for regional economic consulting firm Econsult Corporation, where her work focused on economic development strategies for a diverse range of public and private sector clients.  Ashley has also worked with the School District of Philadelphia (Office of Development), Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of Policy and Planning, and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC).

Beyond her consulting work, Ashley is passionate about supporting the regional nonprofit sector through service on the boards of Girls Rock Philly and Ryan’s Case for Smiles.  She is also active in numerous steering committees and advisory boards throughout the region.

Veda Cottom (Panel, Grant Funding Workshop)

Veda is the Community Outreach Coordinator at the Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships,  She collaborates with community members, organizations, and stakeholders to develop and implement programs aligned with the goals of the Philadelphia ReCAST Initiative. The Philadelphia ReCAST mission is to promote resilience and equity, improve behavioral health and reduce trauma through a sustained community change process. ReCAST issues funding tor mini-grants. The ReCAST Grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration to prevent or reduce community violence involving youth, young adults and their family, address stress and trauma experienced by youth, young adults and their families, and strengthen the capacity to foster engagement among neighborhood residents. This work includes focusing on strengthening sustainable community capacity to provide essential resources and support to Philadelphia communities. Veda is a Temple University Alumni with MSW-MPH (Master in Social Work & Master in Public Health) dual degree. Veda is a friend of 37th Ward Communities That Care Coalition and is passionate about continue to contribute to initiatives that advance community capacity building and ensure a holistic approach to community well-being and long-term positive impact to support and empower the North Philadelphia community. Veda is open to be a panelist or host a workshop on ReCast funding.

Javier Mojica (Panel, City Commerce Workshop)

Javier Mojica is the current Director of the Mayor’s Business Action Team (MBAT) within the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce. Javier’s work helps to fostering economic development and empowering diverse communities in Philadelphia. Under Javier’s leadership, the Department of Commerce has made significant strides in supporting businesses of all sizes. Through strategic initiatives, his team has played an instrumental role in attracting and retaining a diverse array of businesses, revitalizing commercial districts, and enhancing access to essential funding opportunities. Their focus on creating equitable opportunities for minority-, women-, and disabled-owned businesses has transformed the economic landscape of our city, offering pathways for growth and success to many entrepreneurs. Javier’s robust academic foundation—holding a Bachelor’s Degree from York College and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Baltimore—has provided him with the expertise, in management, leadership, and community development, and nonprofit organizations. Among Javier’s numerous achievements, his efforts to bolster the economic well-being of Philadelphia’s immigrant population stand out as a testament to his inclusive approach. His impactful work earned him the 2023 Welcoming Awards – Economic Empowerment Award from the Office of Immigrant Affairs. Javier’s role as Director of MBAT continues to empower stakeholders, guiding them in planning, managing, and expanding their businesses while providing seamless access to city services and programs. His unparalleled expertise and passion for creating a thriving business environment make him a vital asset to Philadelphia’s economic development initiatives.

Ken Peeples (Panel Facilitator)

Ken Peeples is a global citizen with a steadfast dedication to education and community well-being. A seasoned social worker, educator, and mental health counselor, Ken specializes in global health and clinical practice. With over a decade of experience in research, advocacy, and program evaluation, he is deeply committed to youth empowerment, restorative justice, and building sustainable community initiatives to combat systemic inequalities.

Jea Chapman (Grant Funding Workshop)

Jea heads up the Dreamers Youth Academy and Gogetter Bulsiness Solutions.   At Gogetter Business Solutions, she support entrepreneurs on their journey to success. She also holds quarterly networking events provide a platform for like-minded business owners to connect, collaborate, and form valuable partnerships that can take their businesses to the next level.  She has 23 years experience grant writing winning over 2.4 million for her clients since 2020.

Clarence Hester (Community Engagement Workshop)

Pastor Clarence Hester serves as Chair of the 37th Ward Communities That Care Coalition.  He is a dedicated and passionate spiritual leader who has been serving his community for many years. He is known for his strong faith, compassionate heart, and commitment to spreading the message of love and hope to all those he encounters.

In addition to his work within his congregation, Pastor Hester is actively involved in various outreach programs and community service initiatives. He is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of others and is always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.

David Tucker Whitaker (Alternative Revenue Workshop)

David, CEO of Whitaker Ventures, is a serial entremreneur and tech leader, with a background in software development, e-commerce, user experience, and marketing.  As an advocate for community development, he works with non-profit and community-based organizations to run lean and effecient like tech startups,  to refine programs and services, and to develop meaningful relationships. He is a member of 100 Black Men of Philadelphia and the 37th ward CTC.

Charles Lanier (Business Partnership Workshop)

Mr. Lanier serves as the Interim Executive Director of the Hunting Park Neighborhood Advisory Committee, Inc. He is responsible for the administration of the agency operations, providing community services and ongoing community economic development of the Hunting Park community, as well as responsible for revitalizing the Hunting Park Community Economic Development Corporation. Previously, Mr. Lanier had a robust career as a General Manager with the Philadelphia Housing Authority and working for many other Philadelphia area housing organizations.

He is also Board President for the Strawberry Mansion Neighborhood Action Center, Inc., in North Philadelphia, with the focus on community services for low-income residents, as well as community economic development.