Congrats to the Fall 2014 Battery Powered Awardees
On December 5, 2014, The Battery community achieved something extraordinary. Members of Battery Powered gave more than $600,000 to organizations working to break the cycle of incarceration in California.
These awardees are taking the next steps toward catalyzing positive change throughout the criminal justice system. They are tackling critical issues around incarceration such as creating opportunities for formerly incarcerated women to reconnect with their families; for people with mental illness to find essential supports in their communities; and for youth to move forward on pathways to success rather than incarceration..
We’re proud to introduce you to the recipients of the first ever Battery Powered Awards!.
THE WINNERS
A New Way of Life Re-entry Project
Battery Powered Award: $256,289 over three years
Providing supportive housing, community-based resources, and leadership development for formerly incarcerated women.
Citywide Case Management Forensic Program
Battery Powered Award: $200,000 over three years (funded by Battery Powered and an anonymous member)
Reintegrating formerly incarcerated people with mental illness into their communities through treatment and housing services.
Commonweal: The Juvenile Justice Program
Battery Powered Award: $98,031 over two years
Leveraging resources and transforming policies to support youth success and community safety in California.
OTHER RECIPIENTS
Community Works
Funding received: $57,007
Conducting restorative justice interventions that steer Alameda County youth away from system involvement.
The Last Mile
Funding received: $53,109
Providing technical training programs that connect graduates to fulfilling employment opportunities after graduation.
ALLOCATION
Arriving at Allocation Night was a journey both for Battery Powered members and the organizations being considered for funding. A few months earlier, the California prison system would not be the first way to strike up conversation between members. Many said they didn’t know much about the topic at first, nor did they realize how complex and far-reaching it could be.
Over the course of the Battery Powered pilot theme, members discovered individual passions and a common agenda to create change: supporting the people who are pushed to the margins, those who were most deeply affected by the cycle of incarceration—women and their families, youth with justice system involvement, and people struggling with mental illness.
On the night of allocation, the room was buzzing with discussion around the unique approaches for change. Of all the organizations in the running for Battery Powered awards, members selected the top five and backed the ones they were passionate about. Each of the finalists demonstrated the potential to create impact long after the project was complete, but a few things stood out among the winners:
Commonweal was the first to receive full project funding during the allocation rounds and secure the Battery Powered Award. The organization takes a systems change approach to juvenile justice that, with a small amount of funding, promises incredible leverage. It stood out to members because of its compassionate leader with great depth of experience. The project showed a cost-effective approach with the potential to create major policy changes in the California juvenile justice system—changes that could potentially support every young person who has touched the system.
A New Way of Life went home with a Battery Powered Award after receiving the most funding of all the finalists. They provide direct services to recently incarcerated women and their families. When a woman goes to prison, it can destroy the very fabric of families. Women’s imprisonment has also increased by 800% since the 1980s. This fact stood out to the membership. That and the inspiring message of hope and determination Susan Barton shared during Organization Night. Her quote of the evening: “For the amount of money the state spent on my incarceration, I could have gone to Yale!”
Founding member Xochi Birch stepped forward and committed to taking A New Way of Life to the finish line. “I believe in this work so much, for it’s potential to change the lives of women and families,” she said. From there, the gates were open, and others were inspired to step forward. Several members contributed donations above and beyond the points they had already allocated, ensuring A New Way of Life’s place as an Awardee.
Citywide Case Management Forensic Program was a strong contender during the allocation rounds. While they didn’t reach their full funding request that night, by the next morning they had received an anonymous donation from a Battery Powered member that was enough to fully fund their project. Citywide’s work addresses a major gap in the criminal justice system: courts and re-entry services for people with serious mental illness. Members learned about Citywide’s amazing work during Experts Night and Organization Night, and even had a chance to hear directly from a program participant who, after battling mental illness and struggling with medications, went from having a life sentence to living independently (thanks to Citywide’s housing and treatment programs) and pursuing a graduate degree.
ABOUT THE AWARD
Battery Powered Awardees receive more than money. In addition to a fully funded project, they get special recognition in The Battery space and will be featured as winners on the Battery Powered online platform. Along with publicity opportunities and the endorsement of the Battery Powered membership, this award signals the beginning of an ongoing relationship with the organizations, who will be invited back to the club to share their progress and meet with members who might want to go further with their support. The membership is taking a “once an awardee, always an awardee” approach. That means the community will be hearing more from these wonderful organizations in the future, so stay tuned!
If you’re a member of The Battery and want to learn more about Battery Powered, please visit: https://thebatterysf.com/giving
If you’re a part of our broader community with a passion for philanthropy, send us a note and share your story: [email protected]
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Battery Powered launched in Fall of 2014, a member-founded, member-funded program made possible by Michael and Xochi Birch and the philanthropy team at Amplifier Strategies. The program is designed around quarterly themes and helps members discover and combine personal passions with collective influence for social impact.
