This has been a big year for Lever for Change! We started off having reached our initial goal of driving $1 billion in funding to outstanding organizations, ahead of schedule. This was an important milestone for us, as money is now flowing to people and communities with big ideas to tackle the issues they are facing, and because it proves that our reimagined model of large-scale grantmaking works. As we enter the final stretch of 2023, I find myself looking back at our growing impact and forward to a new year with lots of developments in the pipeline.

The Ahlan Simsim initiative has transformed the lives of children and families through early childhood development services in its fifth year.

The 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York was not just a gathering of diplomats and world leaders; it was a powerful testament to the collaborative spirit of those working diligently to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among the key stakeholders driving progress towards these global objectives, philanthropy played a prominent role, and Lever for Change was there to represent its bold network and ideas.

Congratulations to Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change, for being recognized in Better Magazine's list of Most Powerful Women in Chicago.

In 2017, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation unveiled the recipient of the inaugural 100&Change challenge. Sesame Workshop and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) were awarded a momentous $100 million grant to support their joint program Ahlan Simsim, which focused on providing support to the youngest children affected by the humanitarian crisis in the Syrian response region.

Since our launch in 2019, Lever for Change has managed 11 philanthropic grant challenges that were designed to help donors find and fund solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, including issues like racial inequity, gender inequality, lack of access to economic opportunity, and climate change.

With Earth Day just around the corner on April 22, the recent release of the United Nations climate change report has spotlighted the critical state of our planet. The report warns that we may soon surpass a dangerous threshold of 1.5°C global warming within the next decade, leaving many of us wondering how to prevent further environmental damage.

Through the Built for Zero methodology, communities are working together to make homelessness rare and brief, guided by person-centered, real-time data and coordinated strategies.

Happy Women's History Month! This special time is set aside to celebrate women's immeasurable contributions and unwavering strength throughout history. As we reflect on the sacrifices made by generations before us, we recognize that women have always been at the forefront of progress, driving change and shaping the world we live in today.

As you wake up and get ready for your day, you may not realize the countless caregivers out there who are already up and working hard to care for the most vulnerable members of our society. These incredible individuals are the backbone of our communities, delivering essential care to those who need it most. On Caregiver Appreciation Day, we want to honor and appreciate caregivers for their tireless efforts.