Federal Reserve-Philanthropy Initiative Meeting
New Orleans, LA
December 2-3, 2013
Meeting Summary
Over 30 philanthropic and Federal Reserve officials representing national, regional and local interests
participated in our meeting at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta – New Orleans Branch. There was
positive affirmation for the direction of our work together and the progress of our evolving agenda. The
convening focused around the following objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Deepen peer to peer learning;
Expand understanding of the roles our organizations play;
Report back and seek input re regional collaborations;
Share insights gained from our investments, research, and outreach efforts
Identify mutual areas of interest and explore connections for shared work
Establish clear discernment of next steps
Key Takeaways from research dialogue
After a quick overview of FPI, Alicia K shared results from the member survey and followed up with a
focused discussion to tackle the following - where do FRB and philanthropy research interest mesh?
Below you’ll find session highlights along with a list of ad hoc groups that self-organized following the
discussion:
Perimeters for FPI research activity:
 Takes collaborative conceptualization to collaborative actualization
 Set against meta-frame of economically vibrant places but geared to on-the-ground
impact
 Aligns the field of play and stakeholders on regional or national levels
 Informs value-added work together
 Includes potentially data collection, lessons learned, or original research
 Produces information that has not been done elsewhere and is open to vigorous
evaluation
 Extends potentially to other key partners outside of FPI
 Completed by concurrent self-motivated groups held together by FPI frame and
staff
 Completed without need to maneuver internal organizational processes except as
necessary
Barriers: working through governance; affecting policy not politics; ensuring evaluation and
product
Assets: shared passion and goals; collective personal and organizational resources/impact;
ability to maneuver through roadblocks; ability to impact policy and not politics
List of Ad Hoc Groups
Note: Julie and Kris will connect with each group leader re next steps. Here’s a thumbnail sketch
(along with benchmarks) for each group:
i.
Resource Sharing Information Project
Co-Chairs: Kris and Larry
Members as of now: Kausar (if includes NY), Alfreda, Todd, Marco, Flozell
Focus: model regional information and hone in on overlap of philanthropy and FRBs
ii.
Concentrated Poverty, Displacement, and Subsidies
Co-Chairs: Amy, Paul, Tom
Members as of now: Amy, Paul, Tom, Kausar, Shannon
Focus: how government housing and tax subsidies affect low income populations
iii.
Small Cities
Co-Chairs: Alicia K and Theresa
Members as of now: Ben, Scot, Theresa, Shannon, Alicia W, Alicia K, Jere, Richard
Focus: prosperity of small and medium sized cities
iv.
Growth, Opportunity, Measuring Impact
Co-Chairs: Emily and Yvonne
Members as of now: Jere, Emily, Scot, Keith, Shannon, Yvonne, David, Marco,
Tammy, Theresa
Benchmarks
February 14 – Each group will have talked, confirmed current members, developed one
paragraph initial problem statement, and next organizational steps
March 31 – FPI will convene a vetting conference or teleconference call as an opportunity to
vet outline of proposed work and any questions groups want to pose to the members; are
you stumped? What background/research do others know about on your topic, etc?
May 11 – Next FPI meeting; all groups present reports and/or work plans
Other Work Moving Forward
1) FPI Portal – Alicia W helped bring about this online communication link
Initial Action: Alicia W will forward access instructions to members by Jan 22
2) Research Bulletin Board – networking and communication
Initial Action: Julie will work with Orson to frame out a strategy by Feb 14
3) Philadelphia FRB Community Development Conference – Theresa and Erin
Initial Action: Theresa will send agenda for comments, conference marketing by Jan 29
4) 2015 Federal Reserve Research Conference – Chaired by St Louis Fed
Initial Action: Yvonne will forward timeline for paper review and opportunities for FPI
participation. People interested in academic papers please contact Yvonne asap
5) Regional FRB/Philanthropy special initiatives: What’s in Play?
o Cleveland, Richmond FRBs/Appalachian Funders Network talks underway
o St Louis FRB in talks with local funders re use of What Matters to Metros as basis for
regional economic development dialogue
o Toledo Foundation and FRB Cleveland are translating What Matters to Metros data
to local level for discussions with regional leaders about impact on city and
neighborhoods
o Four-part Redefining the Rust Belt videoconference series continues to attract
strong local participation. Final meeting will piggyback on Philadelphia conference
o Boston FRB and its partners will conduct a Jan 15 celebration for the Working Cities
Challenge winners and preview future opportunities for collaboration in 2014