Reflecting on 2025
It is a challenging time for so many leaders in philanthropy, policy and nonprofit and organizations. In these moments of certainty, we are looking for anchors of support and inspiration as we fight for the causes and missions that motivate us everyday. Some of the best advice I have received lately comes from LBC Action partners, who emphasize the importance of keeping focused on vision, mission, and values; of being flexible and patient, and for making time to enjoy a walk outside, or whatever brings you joy. But the lessons that will stay with me forever come from my daughter, Amelie: Be kind, laugh, take adventures and love more.
– Martin LeBlanc, Principal & Founder, LBC Action
Collaboration for the Greater Good
LBC Action fosters cross-sector collaboration for the greater good. We do that through a suite of service offerings that help you define your strategic goals, connect you to peer leaders in the LBC Action network, and provide you with the structures you need to create measurable results for the communities you serve.
We know that strategic planning is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why we work with each individual leader to create an engagement package that meets your unique needs, priorities, and timetable. Whether you choose one, two, or all of our service offerings, our promise is the same: we will support you as a leader, connect you to likely and unlikely partners, and celebrate your impact with you.
Blue Star Families Honored with an Emmy
Congratulations to LBC Action partner Blue Star Families for two Emmy nominations – and one win! The organization’s Public Service Announcement Couple Therapy was nominated in the Single Spot category, while Combat the Silence won in the Campaign Category. We are incredibly proud of Blue Star Families for their work to support military families with awareness of mental health and amplifying voices of those who serve.
Camp Fire, REI, Native Americans in Philanthropy, and Alliance for Camp Health Explore the Benefits of Nature for Youth at SXSW EDU
On March 3rd at SXSW EDU, LBC Action partner Shawna Rosenzweig moderated a panel (More than an Escape: Outdoors as a Frontline Solution) on the ways connecting with nature can improve wellbeing for young people. Featured speakers on the panel included Marc Berejka, Deputy VP, Community Advocacy & Impact, REI; John Hamilton, Chief Strategy & Engagement Officer, Alliance for Camp Health; and Brittany Schulman, Chief Program Officer, Native Americans in Philanthropy.
Recommended Reading
Erik Stegman on Measuring Impact and Building Trust
In the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Erik Stegman, CEO of Native Americans in Philanthropy, examines how philanthropy can better measure impact and focus on community building and shares how a trip to three Alaska Native communities allowed a group of grant-makers to see the results of their support firsthand – a hopeful model for future funders.
Ari Jones on the Importance of Public Libraries for Opportunity Youth
LBC Action Partner Ari Jones, Senior Program Manager, Justice and Equity, Aspen Institute Form for Community Solutions, has written a blog, published by the Urban Libraries Council, that outlines strategies for libraries to create spaces to engage opportunity youth in meaningful ways.
This blog post is part of a March 2025 series highlighting the Creating Youth Opportunities (CYO) initiative, a ULC program that directly supports the capacity of 11 participating libraries to serve a total of 222 communities and reach more than 411,000 opportunity youth.
Shawna Rosenzweig, Rusty Creed & Casie Wise Describe a Partnership Model for Addressing Cultural Appropriation
LBC Action Partner Shawna Rosenzweig, CEO of Camp Fire is co-author of an article, appearing in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, that describes an effort to examine and repair harm caused by cultural appropriation within the organization.
Rusty Creed and Casie Wise, from the National Indian Education Association (NIEA), are also authors of the blog, which details the multiyear approach aimed at producing lasting change through partnership.
