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To Bill Zimmerman, giving is both professonal and personal priority

Making a Difference

To Bill Zimmerman, giving is both professonal and personal priority

Bill Zimmerman's family instilled in him from a young age that giving back to one's community is a critical part of keeping one's self and one's community strong.  Today, as a resident of Peaks Island, Maine, and a principal owner of a successful computer technology business, Zimmerman puts this value into practice.  When a senior housing project came to his attention, Zimmerman relied upon his trust in the project's leaders and responded to his community's resourcefulness and "logic." Read More…

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Welcome to SmartLink!
A program of the Neighborhood Funders Group

SmartLink is your one-stop-shop for free and useful ideas and insights, created just for donors, foundation trustees and others who give locally, to neighborhoods and communities.

SmartLink solves your toughest giving problem: it helps you learn who is building strong communities, what is working to make a difference, and how to connect your giving (whether modest or substantial) to the most effective ideas and projects. Connect, with just a few clicks! Among the treasures you will find here are candid profiles of donors and small foundations from all over the country, making a difference on a range of issues in their communities. With a few clicks on the left navigation menu, you can search briefs and tools focused on six key issues.

Don't stop there, drill deeper to explore action- and results-oriented topics and strategies. We won't tell you where to give; instead, SmartLink makes your giving smarter and more focused on making a difference. Please note: SmartLink is not a grantmaker.

In the News

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  • Poverty is poison -- NY Times column explores long-term effects for children living in poverty. Read More...
  • Discover the latest information, facts, figures and maps from the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center.  Read More...

Facts & Figures

  • One year after the storms, the City of New Orleans black population decreased by 57%, while its white population declined by 36%.
  • 84% of low-wage workers do not have access to paid sick days.  So, when these workers get sick they are forced to work or stay at home without pay, and risk losing their job
  • 3 in 5 low-income, non-citizens are uninsured
  • More than 11 million parents lack health insurance, most of whom are not eligible for coverage under Medicaid