End of the Year Update

End of the Year Update

A Message From Our Founder

Gratitude, Co-Conspiratorship, Solidarity – Power of the Pause

Can we reimagine what is possible together in 2025?

As we move towards the end of the year at CoThinkk, we continue to be grateful that you consented to unapologetically stand in solidarity and co-conspiratorship with us as we acknowledge this significant 10-year milestone for our collective movement. The intentional pause we took this year allowed us to develop an understanding of our region’s shifting landscape, deepen relationships, and repair where needed. Together, we have consciously noticed, named, redefined joy, and dreamed together, serving as foundational ingredients for reimagining what is possible as we lean into 2025.

This year invited us into an evolved awareness and a powerful lesson that there 
is power in the pause and that pausing is action. By embracing a posture of pausing, we were able to continue to build upon the work we began last year where we continued to not only practice but elevate the normalization of collective practices, required muscle building, and relationships necessary to embody a posture of co-conspiratorship and solidarity to meet this moment and transform it for the future. In this posture of pausing, we were able to continue to practice and embody the stance of co-conspiratorship and solidarity and view pausing as a necessary precursor for sharp pivots and a forward stance that stands on the solid foundation of relationships, authentic connections and a shared commitment to think bigger, bolder, set intentions, commit and do our work.

When we began the journey this year, we could have never imagined the importance of making sharp pivots and embodying a forward stance in the face of Hurricane Helene hitting Western North Carolina and the devastating and long-term impact that is resulting. As we continue to lean into playing our position in the broader ecosystem of change in our region, as we near the 100-day mark of this major climate event – some important truths are being revealed:

  • This long-term recovery journey will require strategic and unique investments at each stage of the recovery process- response, recovery, and rebuilding. There is significant power, strength and deep BIPOC leadership infrastructure in our region that is leading, driving and poised to support change through each phase of recovery.
  • There is a noticing from the ground regarding the invisibilization of communities of color in the rebuilding effort. This is creating an inequitable and false narrative/story regarding who is on the frontline doing the heavy lifting and should be further positioned as leaders alongside other support organizations within the regional social change ecosystem.
  • Our ability to evolve, stay nimble and fold into each other through collaboration, cultivating cross-generational networks and base-building teams, deep relationships, and sharing, building, and wielding power together through strategic equity choice points will help us provide respite, address emerging needs that are just below the surface and hold both an immediate and future-focused response at this moment.

These truths continue to anchor us and create a clear line of sight towards heightening our collective time, talent, and treasure to amplify BIPOC leaders, networks and partnerships and to protect and amplify the sacred spaces and movements of BIPOC leaders and communities across Western North Carolina in 2025.

As we prepare ourselves for 2025 and the 10th-anniversary community celebration on March 8th, 2025, we have four places that we will continue to commit to and concurrently ask you to join and consent with us in the spirit of co-conspiratorship and solidarity:

  • CoThinkk will continue to play its role by sharing the stories of leaders who are leading the recovery efforts and use our social, moral, intellectual, relational, and financial capital to support the repositioning of BIPOC leaders at strategic tables/seats in recovery strategy/conversations, offer solidarity grants, resource workshops, advocating nationally/regionally for the deployment of resources to BIPOC communities/organizations and continue to evolve and be nimble to shore up BIPOC led leaders/organizations at each phase of the recovery journey.
  • Please continue to help us tell the CoThinkk story in anticipation of the 2025 Community Celebration Event on March 8th-invitations coming soon-by completing a 5-minute vocal video testimonial, sharing your stories of impact, joy, relationships, leadership, etc., that have resulted in your connection, participation, support time, talent and treasure of CoThinkk over the past ten years using the following link.
  • Continue to build upon the work this year and humbly continue to play a role in the ecosystem of change in Asheville and Western North Carolina by becoming a CoThinkk member, supporter, or donor.

We understand the importance of this moment as we collectively address immediate needs, amplify the ripple effect and reimagine what is possible as we plant seeds for the next decade. So, in this spirit, on behalf of the CoThinkk family, we thank you for your partnership, support and the opportunity to continue to create intentional space and relationships that will allow us to build together in 2025. We continue and will always acknowledge and recognize that being invited into sacred space as a trusted partner is an honor and privilege – we do not take it for granted.

With gratitude,

2024 Winter Retreat

2024 Summer Retreat

CoThinkk Disaster Relief Grantwriting Pop-Up

CoThinkk’s Year in Review

Pausing, noticing and pivoting

  • Giving ourselves permission to pause on the grant process this year provided capacity to reflect on the impact of our work in the region, begin our documentary project, map the emerging issues in WNC and pivot when Hurricane Helene ravaged our communities.

Response to Hurricane Helene

  • Redirected internal CoThinkk resources to support immediate needs in community awarded 110 grants of $550 to 2023, 2022, 2021 grantees and leadership awardees totaling $60,500 invested into community and BIPOC led initiatives in WNC + $10,000 Triage support
  • Held 3 popup grant workshops using the CoThinkk breakdown process creating easier access points to immediate grant resources being deployed in our region from the Community Foundation of WNC, Community Foundation of Henderson County and Bridge Foundation. 

Here are some key takeaways from our recent Grant Popups focusing on the themes of noticing, connecting and rebuilding.

  • Invisibilization of BIPOC efforts: BIPOC leaders who are working tirelessly on the ground in the relief and rebuilding efforts are not being acknowledged in the coverage of WNC.
  • Burnout and Trauma: Organizers, especially BIPOC and queer organizers, are experiencing significant burnout and trauma.
  • BIPOC Community Needs: The specific needs of BIPOC communities, who were disproportionately affected by the storm, require targeted attention and resources.
  • Segregation and Collaboration: While there’s strong alignment between Latine and African American communities, language barriers and segregation of response pose challenges.
  • Inaccurate Narratives: Some white communities inaccurately portray Asheville as a utopia, ignoring the needs of marginalized groups.
  • Unprocessed Grief and Guilt: Many people are grappling with unprocessed grief and guilt, requiring support and resources.

Raising some of the following types of questions:

Q: How do we intentionally keep equitable rebuilding front and center?
Q: What new muscles do we need to utilize or build to ensure trust-based philanthropy principles are front and center in resources?
Q: How do we care for one another and make intentional equity choice points everyday?

30 Days of CoThinkking

February 6th, 2025

As CoThinkk’s celebration approaches in March, we’re launching 30 Days of CoThinkking on February 6th. For 30 days, you can engage in small, intentional acts of “co-conspiratorship and solidarity.”

Whether it’s reflecting on CoThinkk’s influence in your life or reconnecting with a fellow member, these simple actions can create a ripple effect of positive change in our community.

Week 1 – Social Change Philanthropy + Giving circles
Week 2 – CoThinkking and Ripple Effect Mapping
Week 3 – CoThinkk’s Four Strategic Pathways
Week 4 – Radical Celebration

30 Days of CoThinkking

February 6th, 2025

As CoThinkk’s celebration approaches in March, we’re launching 30 Days of CoThinkking on February 6th. For 30 days, you can engage in small, intentional acts of “co-conspiratorship and solidarity.”

Whether it’s reflecting on CoThinkk’s influence in your life or reconnecting with a fellow member, these simple actions can create a ripple effect of positive change in our community.

Week 1 – Social Change Philanthropy + Giving circles
Week 2 – CoThinkking and Ripple Effect Mapping
Week 3 – CoThinkk’s Four Strategic Pathways
Week 4 – Radical Celebration

CoThinkk in the Spotlight

CoThinkkers recognized in 2024 for creative solutions and outstanding contributions of time, talent and treasure:

  • CIN Linetta Gilbert Service Award went to Carolina McCready
  • CIN Honors Giving Circle Award went to Tracy Hopkins
  • Health Equity Coalition Legacy Award went to Stephanie Swepson Twitty
  • 2024 Black Women Giving Back Award went to Tracey Greene -Washington

Stephanie Swepson-Twitty, Executive Director – EMSDC

CoThinkk’s Ripple Effects: A Tapestry of Community Impact

CoThinkk, recently underwent a Ripple Efects Mapping (REM) process. This exercise revealed a remarkable web of positive changes stemming from our base-building efforts. Let’s dive into some of the highlights:

Key Themes

  1. Community-Centric Approach: The success of CoThinkk’s base-building efforts is rooted in their commitment to meeting communities where they are, both literally and figuratively.
  2. Collective Power: The strength of collaborative strategizing, particularly among women of color, emerged as a central theme in CoThinkk’s impact.
  3. Regional Expansion with Depth: Balancing the expansion into new counties  while maintaining deep engagement in existing areas is a recurring theme.
  4. Relationship-Driven Change: Personal connections and ongoing relationship maintenance are crucial drivers of community engagement and program success.
  5. Data-Informed Agility: The importance of working with direct community data to inform and adjust strategies emerged as a key theme in the team’s learning.

Future Directions

  • Regional Expansion Strategy: Develop a thoughtful strategy for expanding into new counties while maintaining depth in current areas of operation.
  • Leadership Development: Invest in nurturing and developing BIPOC leadership within the communities served, building on the success of current engagement strategies.
  • Cross-County Collaboration: Facilitate more opportunities for cross-county learning and collaboration among grantees and community leaders.
  • Sustainable Growth Model: Explore ways to sustainably grow the Base-Building Team’s capacity to match the expanding regional reach.
  • Innovative Engagement Methods: Continue to develop and refine innovative community engagement methods, building on successes like the coffee hour strategy.

Looking Ahead

The REM process underscored the multifaceted impact of CoThinkk’s work. In this light, we look forward to welcoming the newest member of the base-building team, Julia Daugherty! She along with Jazmin will be exploring innovative approaches to youth organizing and community resilience. Right on time with our upcoming community design sprint and visioning process slated for March 8. Come out and help us CoThinkk the way for the next 10 years!

Make an End of the Year Donation!

Over the past decade, CoThinkk has prioritized connecting people of color to resources that accelerate equitable outcomes, particularly through capacity building to create accessible access points for communities to obtain critical resources to deepen the
impact of their work.

With your contribution, you’ll be supporting CoThinkk and helping us provide the resources leaders in the region need to do social change work in their communities.

2024 CoThinkk Retreat

CoThinkk Disaster Relief Grantwriting Workshop Pop-Up

Catching Disaster Relief Workshop

2024 Winter Retreat

Burton Street Community Assistance

Disaster Relief Efforts

CoThinkk Meeting

Disaster Relief Workshop

CoThinkk Meeting

CoThinkk Winter Retreat

Winter Retreat – CoThinkk Members only
February 1, 2025 (10:00AM – 3:00PM)

We will be gathering for collective strategic visioning, re-remembering CoThinkk’s origin story, and continue exploring topics like: liberatory space, 2025 Direction and Pivot -10 Year Ripple Effect, Sharing, Building, Wielding, and Transferring Power, Innovation of CoThinkk Meetings and Telling a More Complete Story about CoThinkk, and Fun.

Each year we compile a list of the time and talents that we have collectively committed in service to dreaming bolder and innovating in the new year through our membership with CoThinkk. Please assist us, once again, in preparing for the upcoming retreat by completing the CoThinkk Talent Inventory linked below!

Ripple Effect Mapping

Member Winter Retreat

Proposed 2025 Event Dates + Disaster Relief Funders

Important Dates:

  • February 1st 10 AM – 3 PM -2025 Winter Retreat
  • March 8th 2 PM – 6 PM CoThinkk Documentary & Community
    Celebration

Important Links:

  • Share Your CoThinkk Story

  • Philanthropy Together Spotlight

Disaster Relief Funding Sources:

  • CoThinkk
  • Laughing Gull Foundation
  • Mary Reynolds Babcock
  • Out in the South
  • Donor
  • NGAAP Giving Circle
  • SOAR Giving Circle