Last Thursday evening, respected journalist and researcher
Larry Eichel walked Impact100 members and guests through some of the history and growing challenges facing the city of Philadelphia. As Impact member Sharon Gallagher played his foil by reading quotes from Mayor Nutter, Eichel described the "state of the city" through a presentation rich in detail and visual illustrations. He discussed trends in population and job growth, poverty and crime rates, and education statistics. Eichel is project director of the Philadelphia Research Initiative at the Pew Charitable Trusts.
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Co-presidents Charlotte Schutzman and Ellan Bernstein,
speaker Larry Eichel and
Programs Chair Deborah Correll
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While Philadelphia's
population has grown slightly and become more diverse, its
number of jobs is the lowest in decades, and 40% of the population is not in the workforce - that is, not working or looking for work. Eichel said this high percentage is concerning because, in terms of the economy, "the more people in the workforce, the better off you are."
The metropolitan area has one of the nation's highest
college-educated populations, but Philadelphia itself is among the nation's bottom three in that statistic. Regarding the city's public schools, Eichel said "change is in the air" under new and promising leadership.
Poverty is perhaps the bleakest statistic, as Philadelphia has the highest rate of any major city in America, and more than 400,000 people classified as poor.
"When you see that kind of poverty, the tendency is to
throw up your hands in despair," Eichel said. But now, more than ever, is the time to engage. He advised the audience: "Pick your spots." Be realistic about what's possible and "
choose an area you can change for the better."
... and Hear of a Past Grantee's Success
Following Eichel's presentation were comments from
Jessica Franzini, project director of New Jersey Tree Foundation, which received the $100,000 Impact100 grant in 2010. Franzini described NJTF's work in Camden since 2000, and the
critical juncture in early 2010 when a state contract was lost. Her waiting list for tree requests grew to two years and she felt desperate for help. That's when she learned about Impact100 and applied for the grant.
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Jessica Franzini
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"There are many things that make Impact100 outstanding," she said. Grants are reviewed in a
large, open process, rather than by a small, exclusive audience. The Impact100 process
favors small nonprofits, who are often at a disadvantage with other funders. And "while other foundations are cutting back," Franzini said, "Impact says, '
Let us help you grow.'"
Franzini gave colorful descriptions of her experience during the grant process. She was standing out in a field, knee-deep in dirt, when she received the call that NJTF was one of the five grant finalists. She said, "It was like
winning American Idol. Words can't describe the feeling." At the Annual Meeting, after learning NJTF was the $100,000 grantee, Franzini and her co-presenter Sheila Roberts went to the car in tears, realizing that Impact members understood the heart of their work. "You all got it. You really got it," she said.
Because of Impact funding, vacant lots have become parks, and dilapidated city blocks are rejuvenated with greenery and residents who take pride in their surroundings. NJTF "
got on the radar" because of the Impact grant, and suddenly received media attention, help from the mayor's office, a slew of new volunteers, and several civic awards. Franzini said that Camden city employees have even nicknamed her "100K."
She closed with a quote that describes the work both NJTF and Impact100 are engaged in: "The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit" (Nelson Henderson).
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Listening to Larry Eichel's talk at Main Line Reform Temple in Wynnewood
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Roslyn Grossinger, Andrea Torf and Ruth Horowitz
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