By The Battery Powered Team

Blog Post

"Trust is the Number One Thing"

Sep 17, 2025

At Expert Night for our Information Paradox theme, members heard from leaders in public media, democracy, diplomacy, and AI on disinformation, trust, and philanthropy’s role in strengthening informed communities.

By Marina Shimoyama

Battery Powered Awards $1M to The Education Continuum

May 16, 2025

Our giving circle granted more than $1M to ten extraordinary organizations that are helping students overcome obstacles and stay on track to succeed in school and to thrive.

By Jill Minkus

From Potential to Power

Apr 24, 2025

Ten grantees. One memorable night. See what you missed—and what inspired us—at our Education Continuum Organization Night.

By Jill Minkus

Escape Velocity

Mar 17, 2025

At Expert Night for our Education Continuum theme, we explored the current state of K-12 education, what's at stake for California's children, and how philanthropy can help students stay on track to succeed and thrive.

By Jill Minkus

Climate Action: Water Impact Headlines

Feb 12, 2025

Battery Powered's Climate Action: Water grantees are working to ensure a secure water future for the U.S. West. We check in on their progress.

By Marina Shimoyama

Battery Powered Awards $1.05M to San Francisco Resurgence

Nov 20, 2024

As a community, our giving circle raised and granted $1.05M to ten extraordinary organizations making San Francisco a culturally vibrant, economically robust, and livable city.

By Jill Minkus

Beloved City by The Bay

Oct 20, 2024

Miss San Francisco Resurgence Organization Night? We've got you covered. Read a recap and watch video of our 10 inspiring grantees presenting their work.

By Jason Mangone, More In Common

America's Shared Voice

Jul 19, 2024

In the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Trump, Reunited States grantee More In Common shares insights on the gap between perceived and actual support for political violence—and how you can be a part of the solution.

By Yasmine El Baggari

Battery Powered Awards $1.01M to Reunited States

May 16, 2024

Battery Powered is excited to announce the grants made under its Reunited States theme. As a community, our giving circle raised and granted $1.01M to ten extraordinary organizations working to overcome political polarization to fortify our democracy and society.

By Yasmine El Baggari

Unity In Action

Apr 19, 2024

Highlights from our inspiring evening with the leaders of Battery Powered's 10 Reunited States grantees, plus a link to the event video.

By Yasmine El Baggari

A More Perfect Union

Mar 19, 2024

At Reunited States Expert Night, we explored how to navigate political polarization for a stronger democracy and society.

By Jill Minkus

Battery Powered Awards $911K to Climate Action: Water

Nov 16, 2023

Meet the grantees in our Climate Action: Water theme!

By Battery Powered Team

Untapped Potential

Sep 15, 2023

At Expert Night for Climate Action: Water, our panel discusses water in the U.S. West: where we are, what's at stake, and how we can change our trajectory.

By Colleen Gregerson

Battery Powered Awards $1 Million to Women's Health & Wealth

Jun 08, 2023

Meet the grantees under our Women's Health & Wealth theme!

By Precious Bowes

Running to Stay in Place

Apr 20, 2023

Read the highlights and find the recording to our Expert Night on Women's Health & Wealth.

By Precious Bowes

Youth Uplift Allocation Night Raises $1 Million

Mar 21, 2023

As a community, our giving circle raised and granted $1 million to ten extraordinary organizations working to help Bay Area and Central Valley youth find pride, purpose, and joy in their lives.

By Precious Bowes

Celebrate Good Times

Feb 27, 2023

Organization Night for Youth Uplift was a true celebration of youth programs and their leaders doing the hard work supporting Bay Area and Central Valley youth.

By Precious Bowes

Fire in the Belly

Jan 30, 2023

A recap of our inspiring expert night for Youth Uplift

By Precious Bowes

Battery Powered Awards $1.02M for Future of Food

Nov 15, 2022

Announcing grants under our Future of Food giving theme!

By Precious Bowes

The REEL: Investing in our future food systems

Oct 04, 2022

Suggested viewing for our fall theme the Future of Food.

By Precious Bowes

Good Food Movement

Sep 15, 2022

Learn more about what was discussed at Expert Night for the Future of Food.

By Precious Bowes

Four Great Reads on the Future of Food

Sep 20, 2022

Future of Food fall reading list

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Awards $952k to Housing & Homelessness

Jun 08, 2022

Meet the Battery Powered grantees for our giving theme on Housing & Homelessness.

By Jill Minkus

News and Community

Jan 23, 2022

At Battery Powered Expert Night, newsroom veterans discuss the state of media, innovations in the field, and the pursuit of journalism with integrity, equity, and belonging.

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Awards $875,110 to Bay Area's Future

Nov 11, 2021

Meet the Battery Powered grantees for our giving theme on The Bay Area's Future.

By The Battery Powered Team

A Bay Area for All

Oct 25, 2021

Our 10 finalists for the Bay Area's Future presented their work at Organization Night

By Colleen Gregerson

The Beautiful Moment

Sep 16, 2021

How do we make the Bay Area a place of beauty, belonging, and opportunity for all? A recap of the Expert Night discussion on our Bay Area's Future theme.

By Battery Powered Team

Excellence, Power, Agency

May 21, 2021

The 12 finalists for Battery Powered's spring Public Education theme make their pitches for funding. Check out the recap here.

By Colleen Gregerson

Battery Powered Awards $825,500 to Public Education

Jun 11, 2021

Meet the recipients of Battery Powered funding under our Public Education giving theme.

By Jill Minkus

What Makes a RICH Student?

Apr 22, 2021

What we learned from leading experts about how to support California's public school students as they return to the classroom.

By The Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Awards $924K to Climate Action

Mar 23, 2021

Meet the recipients of a grant under Battery Powered's Climate Action theme.

By Colleen Gregerson

"No Time to Waste..."

Jan 27, 2021

A recap of our Expert Night discussion for Battery Powered's Climate Action giving theme.

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Awards $1 Million to Recovery & Resilience Organizations

Nov 19, 2020

Meet the recipients of a grant from Battery Powered under our Recovery & Resilience theme!

By Colleen Gregerson

Liberate the Capital!

Oct 15, 2020

The 12 finalists for Battery Powered's fall Recovery & Resilience theme make their pitches for funding. Check out the recap here.

By Colleen Gregerson

The Economy is Us

Sep 15, 2020

Here's what we learned at Expert Night for our Recovery & Resilience theme

By Jill Minkus

Black Leadership Matters

Jun 12, 2020

Investing in Black-led grantees = investing in Black leaders and communities

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Awards $1.27 Million to a Healthy Democracy

Jun 05, 2020

Meet the recipients of Battery Powered grants under our Healthy Democracy theme.

By Colleen Gregerson

Expanding Democracy

May 21, 2020

Our 12 finalists made their pitch for Battery Powered grants. Check out this recap of our virtual Organization Night.

By Colleen Gregerson

A "Healthy" Democracy in a Pandemic

Apr 22, 2020

Check out this recap of our discussion with a panel of experts on our spring theme: Healthy Democracy.

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Awards $1.21 Million to Mental Health

Mar 11, 2020

Meet the recipients of Battery Powered grants for our Mental Health theme.

By Battery Powered Team

Simple, but not Easy

May 18, 2022

A snapshot of what we learned at Organization Night for Housing & Homelessness

By Battery Powered Team

Social Challenge of Our Time

Apr 25, 2022

What we learned at Expert Night on Housing & Homelessness.

By Battery Powered Team

Support to Ukraine

Mar 14, 2022

Recommendations for organizations supporting people in Ukraine

By The Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Awards $938.5K to Journalism & Media

Mar 17, 2022

Meet the Battery Powered grantees for our giving theme on Journalism & the Media.

By Battery Powered Team

A Renaissance in Journalism

Feb 17, 2022

A recap of Organization Night for our Journalism & the Media theme and link to the full recording.

By Colleen Gregerson

"Healed People Heal People..."

Feb 26, 2020

Our 12 finalists for Mental Health presented at Organization Night. Here's what we learned.

By Colleen Gregerson

The Reel: Five Watches on Mental Health

Feb 14, 2020

Our top recommendations for viewing to dive deeper into our theme on Mental Health

By Colleen Gregerson

Putting Care into Mental Healthcare

Jan 23, 2020

A recap of our expert night panel for Battery Powered's winter theme on Mental Health.

By Nicole Garzino

Battery Powered Awards $1.31 Million to Addiction & Recovery

Nov 25, 2019

Meet the recipients of Battery Powered grants for Addiction & Recovery

By William Denton

“Hope...is the foundation of recovery”

Oct 28, 2019

Finalists for a Battery Powered in our theme on Addiction & Recovery present at Organization Night.

By Amy Madsen

"When no one was loving me back...."

May 24, 2019

Finalists for a Battery Powered award in our Opportunity Youth present their work at Organization Night.

By Battery Powered Team

The Reel: Addiction and Recovery

Sep 05, 2019

The Battery Powered team's top five (plus one!) videos to explore the fall theme of Addiction and Recovery.

By Will Denton

No S**T Science

Sep 11, 2019

Highlights from Expert Night for our fall theme, Addiction & Recovery

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Awards $1.28 million to Opportunity Youth

Jun 11, 2019

Meet the recipients of Battery Powered grants for Opportunity Youth

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Makes Awards of $1.51 Million to Homelessness

Mar 20, 2019

Meet our awardees for Homelessness: Solutions for San Francisco.

By Battery Powered Team

Homelessness: We Have What it Takes to End It

Feb 25, 2019

The12 finalists for Battery Powered's theme on Homelessness presented their work at Organization Night.

By Battery Powered Team

The Reel: Five Watches on Homelessness

Feb 14, 2019

Our recommended viewing list to explore our winter theme, Homelessness: Solutions for San Francisco

By Battery Powered Team

Housing is Medicine

Jan 18, 2019

Highlights from Expert Night for our theme on Homelessness: Solutions for San Francisco

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Awards $1.37 Million to a Healthy Democracy

Nov 15, 2018

Meet our awardees for our Healthy Democracy theme!

By Battery Powered Team

Healthy Democracy: Not the Work of One Day

Oct 22, 2018

Highlights from our 12 finalists for Healthy Democracy at Organization Night.

By Battery Powered Team

Democracy Done Right

Sep 12, 2018

A recap of our discussion at Expert Night for Healthy Democracy

By Battery Powered Team

What's Up with the Hands?

Aug 02, 2018

Meet the young artist behind our imagery for Healthy Democracy.

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Awards $1.28 Million to Conservation

Jun 13, 2018

Meet our awardees for Conserving our Planet!

By Battery Powered Team

5 Watches for Conserving our Planet

Apr 19, 2018

Our top five picks for videos, documentaries, and talks that highlight how we can conserve our planet.

By Battery Powered Team

Grounds for Optimism in Conserving our Planet

Apr 12, 2018

Healthy oceans and forests are essential for life on our planet. We learned how to strike a better balance between nature and humanity at Expert Night for Conserving our Planet.

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Makes Awards of $1.39 Million to Childhood Nutrition

Mar 14, 2018

Meet our awardees for Childhood Nutrition!

By Battery Powered Team

On the Importance of Smuggling Kale

Mar 01, 2018

Our 12 finalists for Childhood Nutrition share how they are nourishing children in the Bay Area so they thrive at school and beyond at Organization Night.

By Battery Powered Team

The Reel: Five Videos on Childhood Nutrition

Jan 28, 2018

Our recommended viewing list to explore our winter theme, Childhood Nutrition.

By Battery Powered Team

A Delicious Revolution

Jan 19, 2018

How is it that food insecurity and obesity live side by side? How do we “overcome fast food indoctrination.” This is what we learned at Expert Night for Childhood Nutrition.

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Awards $1.29M to Gun Safety

Nov 16, 2017

Meet our Gun Safety awardees!

By Battery Powered Team

Beyond Partisanship: Gun Safety is for Everyone

Oct 19, 2017

There’s no silver bullet for solving gun violence, but 12 organizations collaborating on gun safety showed us the path during Organization Night.

By Battery Powered Team

The Reel: Five Videos That Examine Gun Safety

Aug 08, 2017

Suggested viewing to prepare you for engaging around our fall Battery Powered theme, Gun Safety.

By Battery Powered Team

What Gun Violence and a Dryer Have in Common

Sep 18, 2017

A pastor, a lawyer and a gun maker discuss gun safety and the solutions of today and tomorrow to reduce gun violence at Expert Night.

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Awards $1.09M to Empower Today’s Youth to Excel in the Workforce of the Future

Jun 13, 2017

Meet our spring theme awardees supporting youth toward a meaningful career path.

By Battery Powered Team

This Is What Fierce and In Control Looks Like

Mar 13, 2017

Hear how each of us can participate in the fight for women’s health and dignity here in the US and around the world.

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Awards $1.04M to Women's Health & Dignity

Mar 30, 2017

Meet our winter theme awardees taking a stand for women everywhere.

By Battery Powered Team

When Women Succeed, Everyone Succeeds

Jan 24, 2017

We know that when women and girls are empowered, societies are stronger and more prosperous.

By Battery Powered Team

The List: Recommended reading for Women's Health & Dignity

Dec 20, 2016

A recommended reading list for Women's Health & Dignity.

By Battery Powered Team

Dignity and Results in the Dhaka Slums

Dec 16, 2016

A field update from Battery Powered awardee, BRAC USA.

By Battery Powered Team

The Reel: Five Videos That Shine a Light on Women's Health & Dignity

Dec 14, 2016

Five Suggested Videos That Shine a Light on Women's Health & Dignity

By Battery Powered Team

Unity, Community and Inclusion: Battery Powered Transforms the Arts

Nov 18, 2016

Battery Powered awards $1.3M to Bay Area arts organizations.

By Battery Powered Team

Twenty Reasons Why We Need the Arts

Oct 31, 2016

If you were at The Battery on October 19th, you must have been wondering--what’s all the excitement going on upstairs?

By Battery Powered Team

"Love and Joy and Electricity in the Body"

Sep 23, 2016

Four inspiring Experts discuss the power of the arts, the neuroscience of creativity and how we can support thriving communities.

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Sparks a Resource Revolution with $1.4 Million

Jun 10, 2016

Members put their collective generosity into action, and six organizations received awards.

By Battery Powered Team

Battle of the Labs: The Science of a Resource Revolution

Jun 02, 2016

Six of California's top university labs showcase their innovations at the cutting edge of a resource revolution.

By Battery Powered Team

How to Invest in the Future of the Planet

Jun 02, 2016

Battery Powered Organization Night sketched a new roadmap toward a sustainable, low-carbon future for California and the world.

By Battery Powered Team

Can California Reboot the World?

Apr 29, 2016

The question on everyone’s mind at Expert Night was not if California would help lead a Resource Revolution in food, water and energy, but when.

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Backs the Future of Mental Health with $1.46M

Apr 01, 2016

Our giving community selects its winter 2016 awardees.

By Battery Powered Team

Mental Wellness and the Power of Healthy Communities

Mar 18, 2016

From stories of interventions in Uganda to local research labs, we were transported into the deeply personal, and incredibly hopeful, work...

By Battery Powered Team

Members Perspectives: Befriending Grief

Mar 02, 2016

Loss changes you. When we ignore this fact, the experience of grief becomes entangled with shame, and the burden of healing is placed entirely on the bereaved.

By Battery Powered Team

Expert Night: Conversations We Need to Have

Feb 04, 2016

Actress Glenn Close joins Battery Powered members for an intimate discussion on mental health.

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Backs Innovations in Early Education

Nov 12, 2015

Battery Powered members gave nearly $1.5 million to innovative projects that can give more children the best possible start to life.

By Battery Powered Team

Piper Kerman on the future of the prison system

Dec 07, 2014

The Orange is the New Black author joined us at The Battery to share her true insider’s perspective on the prison system.

By Battery Powered Team

Expert Night: Early Childhood Education

Sep 23, 2015

Experts showed how children are “bundles of potential” waiting to be unlocked.

By Battery Powered Team

John Legend joins Battery Powered discussion

Oct 15, 2015

A comfortable gathering of Battery Powered members met leading innovators at the forefront of the criminal justice reform movement.

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Views: Ending Extreme Poverty

Jun 19, 2015

For the first time in history, the end of extreme poverty is within reach. Globally, poverty rates are falling, and coordinated actions from organizations, governments and committed individuals are making all the difference.

By Battery Powered Team

$1.3M Given to End Extreme Poverty

Jun 08, 2015

The Battery Powered program has reached its biggest milestone yet.

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Org Night: Ending Extreme Poverty

May 15, 2015

The speakers at Battery Powered Organization Night reminded us that the most vital solutions in the efforts to end global poverty are the poor themselves.

By Battery Powered Team

Expert Night: Ending Extreme Poverty

Apr 19, 2015

Jacqueline Novogratz spoke to the tremendous opportunity ahead when she said, “It’s time to embrace the difficult.” We couldn’t agree more.

By Battery Powered Team

Benioff, Conway, and Taylor: Member Perspectives

Mar 06, 2015

If someone gave you a million dollars, how would you invest in San Francisco’s future?

By Battery Powered Team

Battery Powered Views: A Film Series

Apr 22, 2015

Michael and Xochi Birch, The Battery's founders, are excited to release their latest film: Exploring San Francisco’s Future.

By Battery Powered Team

Expert Night: San Francisco's Future

Jan 30, 2015

Five experts share their views on how we can each play a role in San Francisco's future.

By Battery Powered Team

Congrats to the Fall 2014 Battery Powered Awardees

Dec 12, 2014

On December 5, 2014, The Battery community achieved something extraordinary.