Ryan Eller’s Post

One more piece on Appalachia as I know it, with a recommended reading list if you want to learn more. This one up at Boston's own Here and Now! https://lnkd.in/eMswWwY8

Like an itch on a long-amputated limb, vestiges of the arguments over how to fight poverty in Appalachia in the 1960s live on in today’s political debates. “Uneven Ground” by Ronald Eller was suggested to me as an antidote of sorts to a certain VP candidate’s “Hillbilly Elegy” in its portrait of Appalachia. I think it’s a much more important book than that, in that it carefully parses many of the publicly funded efforts that were made to improve the lot of Appalachia, and which ones worked (few) and which ones didn’t (many). This book ought to be read by anyone involved in public policy, urban planning, journalism, community activism, environmental and social justice, the war on poverty, or with a connection to and love of Appalachia. The drawback is that it was written by an academic policy wonk, a combination unlikely to make anyone promote it as a page-turner. Yet it contains many lessons — for all areas of the nation — that deserve to be widely shared so the same mistakes aren’t repeated elsewhere. Like spending millions of dollars to build “industrial parks” that sit largely unused. Sound familiar? I’m looking at you, western New York.

Insider Insights Series Navin Nayak, Counselor and President for the Center for American Progress Action Fund, shares the decision-making process on the distribution of resources in campaigns utilizing data. With more than 15 years of experience with involvement in Hillary Clinton's Presidential campaign and the League of Conservation Voters, Nayak's emphasis on how a campaign spreads its message is critical to electoral fortunes. #PoliticalAnalytics #Columbia #ColumbiaSPS

Initiative organized by the Heritage Foundation Project 2025 is an initiative organized by the Heritage Foundation with the aim of promoting a collection of conservative and right-wing policy proposals to reshape the United States federal government and consolidate executive power should Donald Trump win the 2024 presidential election1. It is a political playbook created by the Heritage Foundation and other conservative groups2.

It's fascinating to see how different sectors and political dynamics intersect, even in industries like offshore wind and commercial fishing. Leonard Leo, a key figure behind major conservative legal efforts in the U.S., has not only played a pivotal role in shaping the Supreme Court but is now using his influence in Maine politics. This includes backing groups that oppose offshore wind development and certain lobstering regulations, citing concerns for small businesses and local fisheries. This development is a reminder that energy policy—particularly offshore wind—isn't just about technology and innovation; it's deeply tied to political landscapes and local industries. Leo’s involvement adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing (VERY complex) conversation about how states like Maine balance environmental goals with the interests of traditional industries like fishing. It’ll be interesting to see how these political donations and the opposition to offshore wind shape the conversation moving forward, especially as clean energy continues to play a bigger role in our national agenda. For more about this, check out this article: https://lnkd.in/g7wsGXbQ

A grant from the Norman Foundation! ✨ The Norman Foundation is offering grants to support initiatives that boost community-driven economic, environmental, and social well-being. Projects that promote economic justice, prevent toxic waste disposal, and connect local efforts to broader reform movements are encouraged to apply. 🔍 Focus Areas: Environmental Quality & Protection Civil Rights & Advocacy Community Improvement & Capacity Building 💡 Key Considerations: Originates from community needs Promotes equity Practical and systemic impact Models for broader adoption 💰 Grant Details: General support, projects, and collaborations Priority for budgets under $1M Max grant: $20,000 Rolling applications (no deadlines) Ready to make a difference? Submit a letter of inquiry today! 📧 loi@normanfdn.org For more info and to apply, visit: https://lnkd.in/eZqbrJR4 #GrantOpportunity #CommunityEmpowerment #SocialChange #NonprofitFunding #EnvironmentalJustice #GrantFunding #EconomicJustice #EnvironmentalProtection #CommunityDevelopment #SocialImpact #NonprofitSupport #CapacityBuilding #EquityAndInclusion #SustainableCommunities #Advocacy #GrassrootsOrganizing #PolicyReform #SocialJustice #ToxicFreeCommunities #InnovativeSolutions #SmallGrants #CommunityOrganizing #NonprofitGrants #ChangeMakers #Empowerment

Like many successful organizations, the Clean River Advisory Council utilizes S.M.A.R.T. goals to push ourselves forward in our advocacy. These precise, actionable goals work on an individual level, and scale up to be used by even the largest Fortune 500 companies. Namely, these goals are specifically, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-constrained. See the worksheet linked below/in our bio by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for some guidance on how to engage your community with these SMART goals! https://lnkd.in/ggSWpXsP

A message from CAP-PAC with NCAF that we want to boost. And if you're able to give, please do. 🙏 "America is at a crossroads. Not since 1860 have congressional and presidential elections been as important as the one our country faces in 2024. How America votes will impact an already complicated world geopolitical framework, the health of our democracy, the viability of hope and opportunities in our communities and the economic equality and security for all of our citizens. As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the launch of the War on Poverty — this year’s elections should provide an important roadmap for the future of the War on Poverty. For much of 2023, we were unable to support some very important House and Senate candidates for lack of CAP-PAC resources. To put it simply, I know it cost us. With so much at stake we cannot be on the sidelines this year! I’m determined to do everything possible to raise CAP-PAC resources and to give the time and effort to make a real difference in some of these important races. Many of our friends in Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, face tough re-elections that present a stark contrast between a united hopeful country versus a deeply divided and more cynical America. So I’m asking you, in the sincerest way possible, to please make a contribution to CAP-PAC. If you’ve already done so – you have my deepest gratitude. If you can enlist others at your agency or in your network to also contribute that would be terrific. As you realize, CAP-PAC is an important part of NCAF’s legislative strategy. It is important to participate politically so that we have friends in Congress who share the same values as those that the Network has. I’m proud to say that this includes good Republicans as well as good Democrats. It doesn't have to be $500, any amount you can give today is a huge help. Please donate online here or send a check to: CAP-PAC, P.O. Box 78214, Washington, DC 20013. If you need to reach me for questions or wish to talk further about what I’m up to or if you have any creative suggestions please contact me via email – let’s talk: davidbradley@ncaf.org. The November 2024 election is the Super Bowl of elections in our lifetime. It is an event that will have a profound impact on our society, our country and perhaps the world for many years to come." https://lnkd.in/efXVbx25 #EndPoverty #EconomicJustice #Democracy #ClimateChange #GreaterGood

My latest book - an overview of California's neglected water and energy infrastructure and ways to fix it, ideas to again build affordable new homes and cities, and ways to realign an electorate that's been hoodwinked into accepting poverty.

In this piece I talk about how the next UK govt needs to engage with #Charities and #CivilSociety much more and much better, to meet the UK's big social, economic and environmental challenges. This includes: 1. Parity of engagement/influence with other sectors - treating civil society leaders and orgs on a par with business and the public sector. 2. More robust policy scrutiny - so we can help improve govt decisions at the outset and spend less resource fire-fighting bad policy after the fact. 3. Reversing the financial meltdown in local government - this is vital for a multitude of services that help millions of people across the country and millions of people that rely on them. 4. Boosting philanthropy and giving - not to replace the state but so civil society as a whole can recover resilience after the pandemic and cost of living crises. 5. Protect charity independence - including the independence of the Charity Commission and of individual charities, as well as trustees, volunteers, donors and beneficiaries who engage in public debate and the democratic process.