Patterson Foundation to Share National Partnership Expertise in Los Angeles

SARASOTA, Fla. (March 5, 2014) – The Patterson Foundation, along with national partners the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, will present its experiences driving innovations in social change and philanthropy during the Grantmakers for Effective Organizations conference March 10-12 in Los Angeles.

The gathering brings together grantmakers that foster collaboration and innovations that challenge the status quo in field of philanthropy and in a constantly changing world.

“It’s our philosophy that positive social change is accelerated when people and organizations collaborate, connect and share new ideas with others,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “Whether we’re helping more than 140 communities learn from each other and connect virtually through the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading or supporting the work of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy to help funders respond more intentionally in the face of disasters – it’s all about realizing that real change requires depth of partnerships and resources.”

During the session, “We Are All Disaster Funders,” on Tuesday, March 11, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m, attendees will learn how to develop and strengthen long-term recovery plans in their communities by applying lessons learned from Hurricane Sandy. The session features:

• Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation
• Robert Ottenhoff, president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy
• Molly de Aguiar, director of media & communications at the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation

The second session, “From Concept to Community Groundswell: Communications Builds Support for Grade-Level Reading,” on Wednesday, March 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., will illustrate the importance of networks in amplifying philanthropic impact by exploring the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, a network of more than 140 communities across the country committed to improving the futures of children from low-income families by increasing their reading proficiency. Speakers include:

• Ralph Smith, managing director of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and senior vice president at the Annie E. Casey Foundation
• Roxanne Joffe, founder/integrative strategist of MagnifyGood, on behalf of The Patterson Foundation
• Jennifer Torres Siders, community relations manager at the University of the Pacific 

About The Patterson Foundation

The Patterson Foundation believes that through communications, technology, and financial innovations, improvements may be achieved that transcend any single issue, entity, or geographic area. The Foundation provides resources to facilitate, expedite and share methods, techniques and tools, joining with others in creating new realities. For more information, please visit www.thepattersonfoundation.org. 

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