At the 2025 Urban Land Institute Spring Meeting in Denver, Eric Dexter, Vice President of Civic Leadership Initiatives at BRAF, joined national leaders for a conversation on equitable transit-oriented development. In the session “Transformative Urban Corridors: Equitable Revitalization of Communities in Three Cities”, panelists explored how public infrastructure and planning can advance equity, opportunity, and inclusive growth. Eric shared insights on Baton Rouge’s Florida Boulevard Corridor, a 12-mile stretch historically seen as a racial dividing line. The area is now undergoing a transformation through a revitalization plan focused on equity and access. This work is supported by new bus rapid transit and MOVEBR infrastructure investments, aiming to improve mobility and opportunity for historically marginalized communities. This work demonstrates how civic leadership, and thoughtful investment can create lasting change. (fb)

Last week, the BRAF Development Fellows Program welcomed back one of its own, Matt Pham, a consultant at Dini Spheris and a proud graduate of the 2022 program. With a career focused on innovation, collaboration, and impact, Matt continues to inspire mission-driven work across the nonprofit sector. We are grateful for his leadership and dedication to advancing our field. Matt led an insightful session on Fundraising Strategies for Small Organizations, specifically designed for fundraisers who are managing limited time, staff, and resources. He shared practical tools and high-return-on-investment strategies that can help participants raise more funds efficiently, strengthen donor relationships, and engage leadership and board members in fundraising efforts. Attendees left with clear, actionable steps to set achievable growth goals and build sustainable fundraising programs. Learn more about the professional fellowships offered by our Center for Nonprofit Excellence at braf.org/nonprofits. (fb)