Alternative Funding Models + Building Indy’s Eviction Data Dashboard— Two New Social Impact Learning Series Conversations Coming in August
his August, the City Rising Social Impact Learning Series continues with two free public conversations exploring how communities can develop more equitable systems, more democratic approaches to resourcing, and more accessible public information tools. Each session brings together practitioners, researchers, and innovators who are actively building alternatives to conventional approaches to social impact.
Whether you work in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, community organizing, public policy, research, or simply care about creating stronger communities, we invite you to join us for these free online learning conversations.
Alternative Funding Models
Tuesday, August 4, 2026 | 1:00–2:00 PM ET
Most funding models—whether grants, philanthropy, or lending—are built around scarcity, competition, and centralized decision-making. But what becomes possible when communities develop alternative ways of moving resources, sharing ownership, and making collective decisions?
In this conversation, we'll explore emerging and longstanding approaches to democratic and participatory funding, including collective giving, community-controlled funds, and shared ownership models. Together, we'll examine how alternative funding structures can better align with the realities of complex social ecosystems while shifting power and decision-making closer to communities.
Featured Panelists
Diana Medina, Deputy Director of Fondo Semillas, a feminist fund in Mexico with more than 35 years of experience mobilizing resources for grassroots feminist movements.
Elle Griffen, writer and researcher at The Elysian, whose work explores utopian futures, community ownership, land trusts, and new models for democratic economic participation.
From Data to Action: Building Indianapolis' Live Eviction Data Dashboard
Thursday, August 13, 2026 | 1:00–2:00 PM ET
Indianapolis experiences hundreds of eviction filings each week, yet until recently, residents, advocates, researchers, and policymakers had limited access to timely, publicly available information about where evictions were occurring and how patterns were changing over time.
This conversation will explore the development of the Indy Housing Project Eviction Data Dashboard, a new public resource providing near real-time eviction data, interactive maps, and community-accessible information designed to support research, advocacy, tenant organizing, service delivery, and informed public response.
Panelists will discuss why the dashboard was created, what eviction data reveals about housing instability in Marion County, how community partnerships developed the technology, and how similar public-interest data tools can be adapted by other communities.
Featured Panelists
Dr. Patricia Basile, Assistant Professor of Geography at Indiana University Bloomington and founder of the Indy Housing Project
Kristina Trinity Hartley, Founder of Anymouse and lead developer of the eviction dashboard technology
Dr. Mark Latta, Founder and Studio Director of City Rising
Register for Free
The Social Impact Learning Series is designed to create accessible spaces for practitioners, community members, researchers, and organizational leaders to learn together, share ideas, and explore practical approaches to complex social challenges.
Both conversations are free and open to the public. We encourage you to register, invite colleagues and community partners, and join us as we explore new possibilities for funding, data, and social impact.
Visit the City Rising Learning Series page to register and learn more about upcoming conversations.