2021 in Review
2021 was a year unlike any other in memory; from the enormous loss of life to the social and economic hardships from the repeated waves of COVID-19, to the unprecedented fires, tornadoes, and hurricanes as a result of climate change, to the racial reckoning taking place across the United States after George Floyd’s murder, to the political divisiveness and bloodshed on January 6th at our Capitol. Deep breath. A positive of these many tragedies, though, is the clear light it shone on the work to be done at the Greenbridge Family Foundation. Our discovery this past year of so many amazing leaders and organizations making a difference has been a great source of optimism and hope. There has been a lot of talk about the problems in our country and the world and unfortunately a lot less focus on the great organizations out there providing solutions. Our goal was to identify great leaders making a positive difference and to help to unlock an even bigger impact in the future.
There were a few pillars that shaped and informed our grant-making this year. Through several months of reflection, discussions, debates, and drafts, the focus of the Foundation has begun to really take shape. I credit a lot of that progress to the partnership and amazing efforts of Kim Plewes who helped us articulate the framework of our giving and who created a process that was both efficient and effective.
We are proud to be a Foundation that invests in people who are driving innovative, transformative change that creates systemic impact across several key issue areas. Much like the experience of a VC, we seek out those who are questioning the status quo and are trying to think differently, using technology, products, and people to drive scalable change. We are thrilled to announce we have selected 36 grantees in our five areas of focus. These organizations excite us for the innovative ways they are tackling some entrenched and complex issues like climate change, women’s empowerment, the educational divide in the Bay area, supporting a thriving democracy and criminal justice reform. We look forward to leaning in further in the years ahead to catalyze even larger-scale change.
Underlying all of our work is a commitment to question and to learn, and to evolve our giving strategy in the hopes of deepening the Foundation’s impact. We thank organizations like Impact Assets, Founders Pledge, DRK Foundation, The Ford Foundation, Schmidt Futures, and many others whom we have unabashedly plagiarized for great ideas and opportunities. Fortunately, philanthropy is not a zero-sum game. That is why we are choosing to share our journey in the hope that we will connect with others who are trying to have a similar positive impact in the world.
As this year comes to an end, a quote from Winston Churchill sums up this special moment in time: “This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” The world has changed in so many ways this past year and with change comes opportunity. We are excited to play a part in making our positive dent in the universe.
Onwards and Upwards!
Jason & Ann Green
Photo courtesy of Youth Guidance