Strengthening Connections and Building Resilience: Looking Back at a Year of Community Progress Makers Convenings

Over a decade ago, the Citi Foundation launched the Community Progress Makers (CPM) initiative. What began with a $20 million investment to support visionary nonprofits across the U.S. with flexible funding has grown into a network of 150 community organizations working to advance affordable housing and access, economic development, financial health and workforce readiness. Now in its fourth cohort of grantees, these community solutionists are at the forefront of efforts to expand economic opportunity in low-income communities nationwide. 

These nonprofits, like others in the field, are navigating a new and ever-evolving landscape. Embracing an ethos of “more than philanthropy” has long been central to the Citi Foundation’s approach, and this commitment is more critical to support our grantees today than ever before. Our role as funders is to go beyond the philanthropic dollars and create opportunities and access that help maximize impact. In doing so, we can foster stronger, more collaborative relationships and create a multiplier effect that unlocks economic opportunity in the communities we serve.

In 2025, we doubled down on this approach by bringing Community Progress Makers together for market-based, in-person convenings. Co-designing these gatherings with our grantees, we aimed to deepen connections, build organizational capabilities and facilitate shared learning. The gatherings invited participants to step away from their day-to-day to participate in interactive breakout sessions and expert-led panels, and to collaboratively develop solutions to shared challenges. Across Greater Chicago, Greater New York City, Greater Washington, D.C., Northern and Southern California and South Florida, I saw grantees form powerful connections and take comfort in knowing they're not alone. Here are the top themes that emerged.

Collaboration and Convening Fuels Success

Every convening reaffirmed that the days of going at it alone are behind us. Leaders spoke about the value of collaboration and emphasized that working together enhances local impact. During a year of rising costs of living and widening opportunity gaps, grantees made it clear that when they collaborate beyond shared initiatives to also consider shared infrastructure, their impact stretches farther. 

Whether advancing housing stability or driving small business resilience, grantees who partnered found renewed optimism for their communities’ futures. In Southern California, Executive Directors in the region—from Los Angeles to the Inland Empire to San Diego—decided to continue their engagement beyond Citi Foundation’s facilitation; they now have plans to connect regularly via an Executive Director Working Group to stay informed of regional challenges and to co-design response strategies. These California-based grantees and others across the U.S. demonstrate how impact can grow when siloes shrink.

Evolution in Leadership and Prioritizing Staff Well-Being

Discussions routinely highlighted how community organizations are navigating change and adapting for the future. Many of the conversations touched on what it means to lead differently in this moment, including how to address burnout and staff turnover. We also heard visions of hope and how leaders are reimagining success by mentoring the next generation. Some spoke of how to actively acknowledge the emotional toll that community work can take on personnel. Others have dedicated self-care and mental health days at their organizations, separate from standard paid time off policies. The message was clear: sustainability isn’t just financial, it’s human. 

Data, Storytelling and the Digital Future

Grantees also shared their forward-thinking approaches to AI, data and storytelling. They highlighted how stronger data practices guide organizational decision-making and how clear storytelling can build trust, open doors and deepen engagement with communities. Relatedly, organizations want to ensure that innovation continues to serve people first. In this era of rapid technological evolution, AI is a tool and not a replacement for driving meaningful impact. 

On the Horizon for 2026 

The in-person convenings hosted throughout 2025 offered grantees an opportunity to dive into the nuances of their market-specific challenges, and we heard several of the same priorities echoed from one market to the next. In South Florida for example, attendees voiced their desire for enhanced collaboration between nonprofits and funders. We felt the same spirit in Chicago, where grantees reiterated how collaboration between funders and their partners is key to amplifying resources and bolstering on-the-ground programs. In New York and Northern California, we heard about the increased need for in-house legal support, while in Washington D.C. and Southern California, grantees highlighted how flexible funding provided critical leeway amidst uncertainty. Across all markets, grantees affirmed that tailored TA helps them expand essential services. 

As we begin to take on 2026, we plan to build on last year's momentum, successes and insights. We will continue to embrace a “more than philanthropy” approach to our funding by evolving the learning community and technical assistance offerings and ensuring they are tailored to the most pressing needs of the moment.  We begin the new year with a renewed conviction in the value of bringing people together, and the shared purpose and brilliance that stems from connection.