From Fed. Funding Cuts to Collective Action: The Story of Resilient Valley

​When millions of dollars in federal climate funding vanished almost overnight in March 2025, a group of Western Massachusetts organizations chose not to compete for what remained—but to collaborate.

​A volunteer-only group of organizations working across climate action, environmental education, conservation, farming, and food justice came together as Resilient Valley Coalition—a cross-sector initiative advancing a new model of grassroots, place-based, collaborative fundraising and mutual support.

​In this interactive Boston Climate Week session, we’ll share how this crisis catalyzed our resolve to collaborate, innovate, and offer mutual support. You’ll learn how we designed and launched the Match-My-DAF campaign, unlocking increased giving from Donor-Advised Funds by leveraging collaboratively raised matching funds. More importantly, you’ll explore how collaborative fundraising and cross-sector cooperation are strengthening community resilience, advancing grassroots climate action, and responding to urgent needs with unity and compassion rather than despair and competition.

​Be inspired. Learn more at ResilientValleyMA.org