16 of our favorite reactions to Community Solutions’ being awarded 100&Change $100 million grant

This month, the MacArthur Foundation announced that Community Solutions was the recipient of the 100&Change competition, which awarded the nonprofit a $100 million grant to accelerate our work to end homelessness.

"I am calling to say congratulations…"

Watch the moment that MacArthur's Cecilia Conrad told @cmtysolutions that they were the $100 million recipient in our #100andChange competition! ❤️

About the $100 million recipient: https://t.co/YTf2uM0VUw pic.twitter.com/0CtZ1DVbas
— MacArthur Foundation (@macfound) April 7, 2021

Community Solutions was selected out of a pool of more than 750 candidates after an intensive year-long process. We’re honored to be in the company of these finalists.

While we couldn’t celebrate in person, we did enjoy seeing our partners, friends, and Built for Zero heroes come out on Twitter to spread the love.

Behold, some of our favorite reactions:

Community Solutions’ staff reactions

1.

FWIW, my jaw is still on the floor and I am still crying.

So grateful to @macfound #100andChange and @LeverforChange for believing we can end homelessness.

So grateful to the @cmtysolutions @BuiltforZero communities who have proven we can! https://t.co/ynQe0fX7lS
— Kat Johnson (@johnsonkat) April 8, 2021

2.

I’m still in shock. @cmtysolutions what an honor it is to be a part of this team. @macfound thank you for believing in us, too! ❤️❤️🎉
— 🦄 Shantae S. (@ShantaeSmith_) April 7, 2021

Encouragement from Built for Zero heroes

3.

Julia Orlando leads the Bergen County team, the first community to end chronic homelessness in the country.

4.

But seriously, part of the magic of the movement are the incredible people doing the work. This community and the movement mean the world to me. Glad for this award. Excited for what it means for the future.
— brenda o’connell (@brendalougreen) April 7, 2021

Brenda O’Connell was a leader on the Lake County team that reached functional zero for veteran homelessness in 2019.

5.

With Built for Zero they’ve proven without question that homelessness is a solvable problem by ending it in 14 cities.

Their work inspired & informs our Built for Zero Canada where 33 cities are working to end chronic & veteran homelessness.
— Tim Richter 🇺🇦🇨🇦 (@timrichter) April 8, 2021

Tim Richter is President and CEO of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness.

6.

The @cmtysolutions @BuiltforZero framework has helped 80+ U.S. locations, including @CityofRockford, better coordinate services available to people who are homeless. Thrilled to see them win a $100 million grant from @macfound's #100andChange competition! https://t.co/cs4z9MTRmL
— Housing Action IL (@HousingActionIL) April 8, 2021

Rockford, Ill, was the first community in the country to reach functional zero for both veteran and chronic homelessness.

The stakes for people experiencing homelessness have never been higher

7.

Remember that time I got to introduce ⁦@cmtysolutions⁩ at the ⁦@macfound⁩ #100andchange event & explain why ending homelessness is possible & the racial justice issue of our time. Yesterday they were granted $100 million dollars & I’m so proud! pic.twitter.com/YNDT7P2ne2
— Amanda Misiko Andere She/Her (@AmandaAndere) April 8, 2021

Amanda Andere is CEO of Funders Together to End Homelessness.

8.

Proud to see our partner, @CmtySolutions @BuiltForZero, awarded the @MacFound #100andChange grant to advance #HousingForHealth. A powerful endorsement of our shared belief that homelessness can and must be solved. https://t.co/wkmyD9Qcqg pic.twitter.com/gGDkZvOa1o
— Kaiser Permanente Community Health (@KPCommHealth) April 7, 2021

Built for Zero communities have proved that homelessness is solvable…

9.

For everyone who cares about ending homelessness this is AMAZING news. It will be the best $100 million MacArthur ever spent. https://t.co/l3ai7zfCBw
— Malcolm Gladwell (@Gladwell) April 29, 2021

Malcolm Gladwell featured the work of the Built for Zero community Jacksonville, Fla., on his podcast Revisionist History.

10.

@cmtysolutions transformation is happening because of *how* they work. If you want to solve an intractable problem, you need to do what they do 1. ask the humans, 2. establish real-time data and 3. create a culture of continuous improvement.
— Tara Dawson McGuinness (@taradmcguinness) April 7, 2021

Tara Dawson McGuinness and Hana Schank’s new book “Power to the Public: The Promise of Public Interest Technology” features Built for Zero.

…with data, rooster spirit, and sometimes karaoke

11.

@cmtysolutions sets the bar for data-intensive advocacy and action. Never has “Onward!” held so much meaning and promise! https://t.co/212QouLlSn
— Andrea Hollen (@citizenplanner) April 8, 2021

12.

Congratulations, @cmtysolutions and @BuiltforZero team! You guys are roosters of the highest order! https://t.co/Hl97dRrRJt pic.twitter.com/gOzLFpPgfh
— Michael Shore (@shikemore) April 7, 2021

Michael Shore is CEO of HOM, Inc.

13.

“All Along the Watchtower” ended with the whole crowded bar going wild. (I couldn’t possibly be exaggerating. 😇) So I will always love them
— Steve Berg (@sberg0) April 7, 2021

Steve Berg is Vice President for Programs and Policy at the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

The movement is ready to go.

14.

Such wonderful news! Congratulations @cmtysolutions! Let’s do this. https://t.co/1F1ne8WA7q
— Diane Yentel (@dianeyentel) April 7, 2021

Diane Yentel is President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

15.

https://twitter.com/Richard_S_Cho/status/1379994276147388417

Richard Cho is Senior Advisor to HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge

And finally…

16.

Almost twelve years ago, @Street2Home wrote her penultimate tweet.

Today, her @cmtysolutions got $100,000,000 from @macfound to solve homelessness.

Maybe we should all, I don’t know, tweet less? https://t.co/vhtje9d6QS
— 𝙱𝚎𝚗 𝙲𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚛 🏡 (@notbencarter) April 7, 2021

100&Change

16 of our favorite reactions to Community Solutions’ being awarded 100&Change $100 million grant

Community Solutions’ staff reactions

1.

2.

Encouragement from Built for Zero heroes

3.

4.

5.

6.

The stakes for people experiencing homelessness have never been higher

7.

8.

Built for Zero communities have proved that homelessness is solvable…

9.

10.

…with data, rooster spirit, and sometimes karaoke

11.

12.

13.

The movement is ready to go.

14.

15.

And finally…

16.

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