For the first time, community foundations from Canada, the United States and Mexico came together in Mexico City on February 5 - 6 for a comprehensive exploration of their work across North America. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were used as a tool for framing the discussions and examining local action with global implications. The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation was the lead sponsor. Platinum partners included Foundant Technologies, Knight Foundation and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation also supported the conference.

What are the SDGs?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations in 2015. The broad goals are interrelated though each has its own targets to achieve. The goals are: no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being for people, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduce inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace, justice and strong institutions, partnerships for the goals. 

The SDGs are also known as "Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" or 2030 Agenda in short.

Philanthropy Southwest Executive Director Lucille DiDomenico was among 200+ representatives attending the NACF Summit. She reported that the speakers were forthright and engaging and many ignited the audience to thunderous applause for their work. Take-aways from the NACF Summit included a heightened sense of importance and better understanding of the power of connections and learning across borders, the significance of partnership and the knowledge that many community foundations are doing more than grantmaking to achieve SDGs.