Celebrating Community and Impact
Whenever I’m telling a new partner about LBC Action, I’m especially proud to say that they aren’t just hiring a partner, they are joining a network of organizational leaders who are ready to collaborate for the greater good. Even though these CEOs and Executive Directors may be spread across the country, this incredible network is capable of uniting on efforts that I believe are improving lives and building community. And on the rare occasions when we do get to be in the same room, the feeling of connection makes all the travel and all the zoom calls worth it. This was definitely true in June. After two impactful days of discussing ways to promote intergenerational approaches to achieving impact during the Aspen Institute Opportunity Youth Forum Spring Convening, the LBC Action family had a group celebration in Los Angeles. It was a reminder for me how important community is and how much we can achieve when we work together.
CJ Goulding Wins Louv Prize
The Children & Nature Network has awarded CJ Goulding the 2025 Richard Louv Prize for Innovation in Nature Connection, created in 2022 to honor the visionary leadership of Children & Nature Network co-founder and celebrated author, Richard Louv. The award recognizes Goulding for his dedication to addressing the systemic barriers that prevent people of color from spending time in nature. LBC Action is proud to be supporting the efforts of Boyz N the Wood to build out their infrastructure and connecting CJ to other LBC Action leaders for cross-sector impact around wellbeing.Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) and Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP) Co-Host 2025 Conference
Welcome Experiential Consulting and Steve Smith
Steve Smith is the Founder of Experiential Consulting, a firm that empowers outdoor programs to align their risk management systems with their organizational mission, values, and culture. LBC Action is excited to announce we will be partnering with Experiential Consulting as they provide our outdoor-focused partners with risk management expertise. Welcome Steve!
Native Americans in Philanthropy Launches Indigenous Tomorrows Fund
An exciting new grant program led by LBC Action Partner Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) will celebrate the legacy, power, and promise of young people through a participatory grantmaking process and address longstanding disparities that affect Indigenous communities. The Indigenous Tomorrows Fund honors Indigenous self-determination, creates leadership and career opportunities for youth and models a new paradigm for philanthropic engagement with Indigenous communities that other funders can learn from and adopt.
Recommended Reading
Camp Fire Announces Partnership to Advance Well-Being for Young People Across the U.S.
In the summer of 2024, LBC Action partner Camp Fire, with the Alliance for Camp Health and Tickit Health, surveyed participants to understand how responsive their programs were to the needs of youth diagnosed with ADHD or autism, or those experiencing other forms of neurodiversity. Insights from that research have led to a case study (Accessibility in Action) and an expanded strategic partnership to improve youth health and well-being through evidence-based programming in summer camps and out-of-school time (OST) environments.
Fresh Tracks 2024 Annual Report
LBC Action partner Juan Martinez is the Director of Fresh Tracks and the Deputy Director of the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions. Fresh Tracks provides rural and urban leaders with cross-cultural community-building skills, leadership development training, civic engagement opportunities, and resources for innovative youth and community-led action. We hope you’ll read the Fresh Tracks 2024 Annual Report, highlighting stories of youth leadership and the partnerships that made it all possible.
The Impact and Opportunity of Investing in Native Communities
LBC Action partner Native Americans in Philanthropy, in collaboration with the Bridgespan Group, has a released a report that draws on insights from interviews and listening sessions with more than 40 leaders from Native communities across the United States and offers funders practical advice for engaging Native communities or deepening their commitment to Native communities and Tribal Nations.
