Campus & Community

Lender Center Hosts Community-Based Organizations for Networking, Partnership-Building

Monday, April 7, 2025, By Wendy S. Loughlin
person standing in front of lectern in front of audience

Kendall Phillips, director of the Lender Center, welcomes the audience to the 2025 Lender Symposium.

Representatives from some 80 regional community-based organizations gathered at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown March 27 for an expo event hosted by Syracuse University’s Lender Center for Social Justice. About 300 people attended.

The event was designed to facilitate dialogue and strengthen collaboration between individuals and organizations that serve Central New York, according to Lender Center Director Kendall Phillips. “The Lender Center is focused on increasing economic inclusion for all people and allowing them to create intergenerational wealth and stability. These organizations are on the front lines of providing support, resources and opportunities for all the communities in our region,” Phillips says.

Participants included organizations like Peace Inc., Syracuse Housing Authority, Vera House, Alzheimer’s Association of Central New York, Helio Health and InterFaith Works. Roundtable discussions, open forums and breakout sessions focused on the unique opportunities and challenges facing community-based organizations, including funding, burnout and effective advocacy. The event also featured tabling and networking opportunities.

The event was part of the Lender Center’s ongoing focus on the racial wealth gap, funded by a three-year, $2.7 million grant from MetLife Foundation.

The image shows a group of five people seated on a stage in a panel discussion setup. Four individuals are sitting on chairs, while one person stands and speaks into a microphone. The background features a large screen displaying text that reads: "Funder's Round Table with Q&A," followed by the names "Melanie Littlejohn, DIR Community Foundation," "Meg O'Connell, Allyn Family Foundation," and "Jonathan Logan, Ben Snow Foundation." The room has elegant decor with chandeliers and large windows.

Kira Reed (far right), senior research associate at the Lender Center, introduces the participants in the Funders Roundtable (from left to right): Jonathan Snow, president of the John Ben Snow Foundation; Melanie Littlejohn, president and CEO of the CNY Community Foundation; Meg O’Connell, executive director of the Allyn Family Foundation; and moderator Lyndsey Hodkinson, director of foundation relations.

The image shows three individuals standing together in front of a wooden door with glass panels. The person on the left is wearing a white top with black trim and dark pants, the person in the middle is wearing a dark suit with a blue lanyard and badge, and the person on the right is wearing a patterned shirt and dark pants.

Lender Center postdoctoral fellows brought their expertise to the Lender Symposium. Pictured are (from left to right) Yolanda Christophe, Mauricio Mercado and J Coley.

The image shows a group of people gathered in a room with ornate wooden ceilings and chandeliers. Several individuals are standing near large sheets of paper attached to the wall, which contain handwritten notes. One person is writing on one of the sheets with a marker. The room has warm lighting and a mix of casual and formal attire among the attendees. There are round tables in the foreground, one of which has a brown bag placed on it.

Community members and nonprofit leaders engaged in priority setting exercises organized by the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration.

The image shows a busy indoor event with multiple people interacting at various booths. Tables are covered with informational materials, brochures, and display stands. The setting appears to be a conference or fair in a well-lit room with wooden decor and large windows.

Local nonprofit organizations shared information and created connections during the Lender Symposium.

Community members sit around a table and discuss issues during the Lender Center Symposium.

Susan Albring and Willie Reddic from the Whitman School of Management join in the community discussion about priorities and strategies for the future.