In the wake of the U.S. withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, the collapse of the Afghan government, and the Taliban’s takeover, many Afghans are fleeing for their lives. While up-to-date figures are unavailable due to the intense conflict, more than 1 million Afghans remain displaced from their homes due to ongoing violence and frequent natural disasters. We are grateful for our colleagues at Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) who have compiled a list of actions to support philanthropic response. Maryland Philanthropy Network will continue to post ways in which philanthropy may respond to all that is happening in the world and we urge foundations and individual philanthropists to look into the future of how all of this will change Maryland and what your role may be to relieve suffering and build for our future.

The National Fund for Workforce Solutions knows the most effective solutions start with the people closest to the work. The Baltimore Workforce Funders Collaborative (BWFC) at Maryland Philanthropy Network is a powerful example of what’s possible when workforce solutions are rooted in community. During a recent visit, BWFC hosted the National Fund's Board of Directors and staff team for a day that showcased their deep relationships and bold worker-centered approach. From listening and learning to seeing workforce programs in action, it was clear how important deep community relationships are to the success of BWFC’s efforts to reshape the future of work in Baltimore.