GreenLight Fund

08/31/2026

Today, GreenLight Fund Bay Area Executive Director Kate Schwass joined KTVU Fox 2 to talk about GreenLight's $1M investment to bring Center for Supportive Schools to Oakland!

Learn how CSS’ peer mentorship model will help address chronic absenteeism by strengthening connection, belonging, and attendance for Oakland students.

Watch the segment: https://www.ktvu.com/video/fmc-zlua7albqat4bm0e

08/27/2026

"Philanthropy cannot wait for a perfect understanding of AI before acting."

In a new blog, Scott Emerick shares four core principles shaping how GreenLight Fund Philadelphia approaches technology and AI-related investments:

1. Prioritize mission impact before tech innovation
2. Support human-centered tech innovation
3. Ensure equity includes agency
4. Act with urgency

Drawing on GreenLight Philadelphia’s investments in Project Basta and Hopeworks, Scott explores what it means to center humans and community in new technology and AI investments.

Read his full reflection ⬇️

GreenLight Fund Philadelphia shares four principles for centering people and equity in tech and AI investments.

08/20/2026

Greg Wise, VP of National Impact, reflects on what he’s learned in his first six months at GreenLight Fund and what has surprised him most so far.

From the role of technology and trust to the power of proximity, Greg shares how community-driven philanthropy with local roots drives national impact.

Read Greg’s full reflections below.

Greg Wise reflects on six months at GreenLight Fund and how community, trust and technology can drive national impact.

08/10/2026

GreenLight Fund Bay Area announces its ninth portfolio organization, bringing Center for Supportive Schools (CSS) to Oakland with a $1 million investment to address chronic absenteeism.

CSS will partner with Oakland schools to implement its evidence-based Peer Group Connection (PGC) mentoring program. PGC trains upperclassmen as peer leaders to support incoming 6th- and 9th-graders, helping students build connections, develop leadership skills, and strengthen their sense of belonging and engagement at school.

Over the next four years, CSS will reach more than 7,200 students across 10 Oakland schools and train more than 1,100 student peer leaders. CSS has established an initial partnership with the Education for Change charter school network in Oakland.

Read the full announcement: https://greenlightfund.org/greenlight-fund-invests-1m-to-combat-chronic-absenteeism-in-oakland/

08/06/2026

After attending the 2026 Aspen Ideas Festival as an Ascend at the Aspen Institute Fellow, GreenLight Fund Cincinnati Executive Director Erin Saul shares reflections on the conversations, connections, and ideas that resonated most.

“That sense of possibility felt deeply relevant to GreenLight. In Cincinnati and throughout our national network, we encounter complex challenges related to economic mobility, housing, education and youth well-being. We hear about how these challenges affect families through our Selection Advisory Council conversations and broader community engagement. My time at the Aspen Ideas Festival reinforced that these issues are interconnected, but also that they are not immovable.”

Read Erin's reflections: https://greenlightfund.org/reflections-from-the-aspen-ideas-festival/

07/30/2026

GreenLight Fund’s inFocus campaign highlights the challenges shaping family and community well-being—and the locally driven solutions helping communities respond.

The latest installment focuses on housing and community safety, exploring how GreenLight portfolio organizations are helping families remain securely housed, prevent violence and build the stability needed to thrive.

Read the latest inFocus: https://greenlightfund.org/infocus-housing-and-community-safety/

07/29/2026

In a new op-ed for Candid, Kate Schwass and Melissa Luna share three questions every nonprofit should ask before expanding into a new community, drawing on lessons from GreenLight Fund's work across the country.

Read the full article for practical insights on why community voice, local partnerships, and organizational readiness are key to sustainable impact.

Candid insights | Scaling a nonprofit program into a new community requires listening to the community, partnering with trusted local organizations, and demonstrating readiness to expand. Here’s how GreenLight Fund does it.

07/23/2026

(Throwback) Thursday feels like the right moment to revisit a story that reflects the heart of GreenLight’s work in Philadelphia.

Kat Rosqueta and Marc Singer have been part of GreenLight Fund Philadelphia’s journey since the beginning, helping identify and vet organizations that address local unmet needs with measurable results and lasting impact.

In this Q&A, they reflect on GreenLight Philadelphia’s evolution, the lessons learned along the way, and the lasting role GreenLight continues to play in the city.

Read more: https://greenlightfund.org/greenlight-philadelphia-loyal-champions-create-social-impact/

07/16/2026

We're honored to welcome four new members to GreenLight Fund’s Board of Directors: George Brown, Former Executive Director of the Stanford Center for Racial Justice at Stanford Law School; Meera Chary, Partner & Head of Leadership Accelerator at The Bridgespan Group; Mike Dickerson, CEO of Yottaa, Inc.; and Joseph Gianni, Bank of America Market President – Hartford Region.

Their experience and perspectives will help strengthen GreenLight's governance and guide our next chapter, supporting our long-term vision for rapid expansion and deepened impact across the country.

Read the full announcement here: https://greenlightfund.org/appoints-four-new-board-members/

07/08/2026

The gaps in services that children and families face look different from city to city. GreenLight’s model is built to respond to those local differences by listening first, identifying community priorities, and bringing in proven programs that fit.

This new piece explores how GreenLight helps connect community-identified needs with solutions that expand opportunity for children and families.

Read more: https://greenlightfund.org/model-built-for-this-moment/