Welcoming & the SDGs: Advancing Inclusion Through Community Philanthropy

Inclusive communities don’t just happen; they require intentionality and collaboration. At the forefront of this work is Welcoming America, a national nonprofit that supports communities in building a welcoming society where every person, including immigrants, can fully contribute to and shape our shared prosperity.

Their work is guided by a comprehensive goals-oriented framework called the Welcoming Standard. In alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Welcoming Standard outlines the core of what it means for a community to be truly welcoming, ensuring the sustainable implementation of welcoming principles and practices.

Join our conversation with representatives from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the Michigan Immigrants Rights Center, and Welcoming America to learn how community philanthropy and multi-sector stakeholders can collectively build inclusive, welcoming communities where everyone can belong, thrive, and prosper.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Hear how community foundations have been engaging in welcoming work in Michigan.
• Explore how the SDGs can inform the work of building welcoming communities.
• Hear from philanthropic leaders and on-the-ground practitioners about how to expand our collective capacity to welcome.

Speakers:

• Daniel Valdez, Welcoming America
• Surabhi Pandit, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
• Christine Sauve, Michigan Immigrant Rights Center
• Michael Layton, Johnson Center for Philanthropy

Who should attend this course?
This workshop is open to any learner and will be especially helpful for community foundations interested in learning about the Welcoming Standard and the application of the SDG framework.

Price: Free
Format: Virtual

 
Questions about this event or about your registration?
Call 616-331-7585 or email Tiana Hawver.

 
Additional Resources: The Welcoming Framework & Its Synergy with the SDGs

• The Welcoming Standard (version 2.0)
• Creating Community Foundation Connections with the SDGs: A Look at Welcoming Communities and a Kansas Experiment (a “Deeper Dive” session at the upcoming 2022 Annual National Conference for Growing Community Foundations)
• The Foundation Review, Volume 13, Issue 4: Community Leadership and the Sustainable Development Goals

Michael D. Layton, Ph.D., is the W.K. Kellogg Community Philanthropy Chair at the Johnson Center for Philanthropy. Michael brings a wealth of experience to this role, including his work as a researcher, teacher, director, advocate, and consultant. He has worked closely with a mix of community philanthropy organizations throughout the Americas, and brings to his position a nuanced understanding of the unique challenges and capacities of community philanthropy to act as a catalyst in promoting community-led development and in strengthening the local context for philanthropy. Learn more about Dr. Layton.

Surabhi S. Pandit, M.S.W., is the director of human services initiatives at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. In addition to overseeing a grantmaking portfolio, Pandit focuses on developing special initiatives and convening funders to think critically about social issues impacting southeast Michigan communities. She designed and manages the Southeast Michigan Immigrant and Refugee Funder Collaborative, a fund created to address the needs of immigrants and refugees in the region. She also oversees The HOPE Fund, a fund that strengthens organizations and projects that support LGBTQ+ individuals and families. Learn more about Surabhi.

Christine Sauvé, L.M.S.W., leads community engagement and communications strategies for the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, working to advance narrative and policy change in partnership with immigrant communities across Michigan. Christine regularly speaks to community groups, elected officials, and advocates about issues related to immigration, inclusion, and equity. She is a member of the Michigan Advocacy Program’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and also serves as co-chair for the Detroit City Council’s Immigration Task Force. Learn more about Christine.

Daniel Valdez is senior director of external affairs at Welcoming America. In his role, he oversees the organization’s development, communications, marketing, and strategic partnerships. From 2015–2019, Daniel held roles in the programs team at Welcoming America, including Network Director. Prior to rejoining Welcoming America, Daniel served as the North Carolina and Mid-South Director for Hispanic Federation. With more than a decade of nonprofit management experience, he is passionate about helping advance the mission of organizations and communities working on systemic changes to bring greater prosperity and opportunity for everyone. Learn more about Daniel.