Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Green spaces are the heart of our communities. They provide a place to rest, play, and grow together. 

Since 2020, the Martin Luther King Jr. Corridor Grants with Keep America Beautiful have transformed underserved urban areas into vibrant hubs of art, nature and connection through mural installations, litter pickups, tree plantings and community gardens. We’re honored to support this work through The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation. 

The 2026 grant applications are now open through February 16 to Keep America Beautiful affiliates, local governments and other nonprofits.

However, you don’t need a grant to make a difference. We invite everyone to join us in the Greatest American Cleanup as we work toward removing 25 billion pieces of litter from our shared spaces: https://kab.org/greatest-american-cleanup/
 

View original content here.

About ScottsMiracle-Gro
With approximately $3.4  billion in sales, the Company is the leading marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products in North America.  The Company’s brands are among the most recognized in the industry. The Company’s Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, Ortho® and Tomcat®  brands are market-leading in their categories. For additional information, visit us at www.scottsmiraclegro.com.

Many of us remember the iconic scene from Disney’s The Lion King where Mufasa teaches Simba about the “circle of life:” a powerful metaphor illustrating the interconnectedness of all living beings and the delicate balance of nature.

Protecting that ecosystem and supporting the local communities who live there is the core mission of the Connected Conservation Foundation, which, in partnership with Cisco, is training and empowering individuals worldwide to safeguard protected areas and species, with the support of Cisco Networking Academy.

A decade of partnership: Cisco and the Connected Conservation Foundation

For over ten years, Cisco has partnered with the Connected Conservation Foundation (CCF) to harness technology in safeguarding biodiversity hotspots across Africa and beyond. This collaboration has evolved from focusing on protecting rhinos to deploying advanced digital tools for ecosystem management across 46 conservancies in 13 countries.

Together, they tackle critical challenges such as poaching, human-wildlife conflict, habitat loss, and supporting community-wildlife coexistence by integrating IoT sensors, AI analytics, satellite tracking, and real-time data platforms.

However, technology alone is not enough; there’s a growing need for skilled conservation technology professions that understand how to install, maintain, and manage these systems to keep critical data flowing.

Introducing the Protected Area Technician (PAT) Training Program

To help solve this, Cisco Networking Academy and CCF launched the Protected Area Technician (PAT) Training Program in summer 2025. The launch was also made possible by the Open University, who provided guidance, content, and significant logistical support. This initiative equips local communities with the skills to operate and maintain the sophisticated and vital conservation technologies deployed in protected areas.

As part of the PAT Program, 10 expert-led, free online courses are offered covering essential topics such as sensor deployment, networking, off-grid infrastructure, cybersecurity, data management, and system integration. Course content was developed by industry leaders and leading professionals in conservation technology, including Sabi San Nature Reserve and African Parks — and it’s already changing lives and careers.

“As a student in Ecology and Conservation at the University of Fianarantsoa, Madagascar, I strengthened my understanding of environmental monitoring, conservation strategies, and field data collection methods,” shared PAT participant, Razafinandrasana Gerard. “The knowledge and skills I gained are directly applicable to my fieldwork, research activities, and my future career in biodiversity conservation.”

Recently, CCF delivered its first in-field PAT training in Kenya, bringing its online curriculum directly to conservancies and government teams on the ground. During that time, staff from the local government Kenya Wildlife Service were trained to independently deploy, manage, and troubleshoot their own IoT digital infrastructure for conservation.

The results were immediate. Shortly after the training, the Masai Mara Triangle successfully re-deployed their gateways onto the new soverign Konza server — entirely in-house.

Impact and outcomes: Building local capacity for conservation

Since its inception just over six months ago, the PAT Training Program has grown rapidly to meet an urgent need. With 529 learners enrolled and 530 certificates issued, this growing cadre of skilled technicians enables conservation teams to:

• Maintain critical sensor networks independently, reducing reliance on costly external experts.
• Integrate real-time environmental and wildlife data into platforms like EarthRanger, facilitating rapid and informed decision-making.
• Understand how to scale network infrastructure confidently across protected areas, expanding the reach and effectiveness of conservation efforts.

“My park has challenges with communication,” shared Martin Ndego Abodiba, a PAT participant and part of the Wildlife Division Forestry Commission in Ghana. “This course has made me aware of how communication should flow from field rangers to the control room. It has helped my thinking and enhanced operations activities, including how to brief my rangers before and after patrols.”

By fostering local expertise, the program not only strengthens wildlife protection but also creates new career pathways, supporting community-led stewardship of natural resources.

Technology and training: A holistic approach to conservation

The partnership between Cisco Networking Academy and CCF exemplifies how technology and education can combine to create lasting conservation impact. Keeping advanced digital tools online provides the means to monitor ecosystems, improve the detection of threats, and reduce the downtime of critical infrastructure, while the PAT program ensures that these tools are effectively managed by skilled professionals on the ground. Furthermore, the PAT program creates new career opportunities and pathways in rural communities, enabling graduates to return to their communities with skills that support conservation and environmental stewardship across Africa, home to a quarter of the world’s biodiversity. Collaborative initiatives that bring together technology, training, and community engagement help further conservation efforts.

Continuing the legacy of the Circle of Life

Just as Mufasa’s lesson reminds us of our responsibility to maintain the balance of life, the Cisco-CCF partnership and the PAT Training Program embody this in action. By supporting local communities with technology and skills, they nurture a future where wildlife and people coexist.

Together, these efforts are not only protecting endangered species and vital ecosystems – but building more resilient communities and inclusive opportunities. This is how the circle of life continues: through respect, responsibility, and the power of collaboration.

View original content here.

Many of us remember the iconic scene from Disney’s The Lion King where Mufasa teaches Simba about the “circle of life:” a powerful metaphor illustrating the interconnectedness of all living beings and the delicate balance of nature.

Protecting that ecosystem and supporting the local communities who live there is the core mission of the Connected Conservation Foundation, which, in partnership with Cisco, is training and empowering individuals worldwide to safeguard protected areas and species, with the support of Cisco Networking Academy.

A decade of partnership: Cisco and the Connected Conservation Foundation

For over ten years, Cisco has partnered with the Connected Conservation Foundation (CCF) to harness technology in safeguarding biodiversity hotspots across Africa and beyond. This collaboration has evolved from focusing on protecting rhinos to deploying advanced digital tools for ecosystem management across 46 conservancies in 13 countries.

Together, they tackle critical challenges such as poaching, human-wildlife conflict, habitat loss, and supporting community-wildlife coexistence by integrating IoT sensors, AI analytics, satellite tracking, and real-time data platforms.

However, technology alone is not enough; there’s a growing need for skilled conservation technology professions that understand how to install, maintain, and manage these systems to keep critical data flowing.

Introducing the Protected Area Technician (PAT) Training Program

To help solve this, Cisco Networking Academy and CCF launched the Protected Area Technician (PAT) Training Program in summer 2025. The launch was also made possible by the Open University, who provided guidance, content, and significant logistical support. This initiative equips local communities with the skills to operate and maintain the sophisticated and vital conservation technologies deployed in protected areas.

As part of the PAT Program, 10 expert-led, free online courses are offered covering essential topics such as sensor deployment, networking, off-grid infrastructure, cybersecurity, data management, and system integration. Course content was developed by industry leaders and leading professionals in conservation technology, including Sabi San Nature Reserve and African Parks — and it’s already changing lives and careers.

“As a student in Ecology and Conservation at the University of Fianarantsoa, Madagascar, I strengthened my understanding of environmental monitoring, conservation strategies, and field data collection methods,” shared PAT participant, Razafinandrasana Gerard. “The knowledge and skills I gained are directly applicable to my fieldwork, research activities, and my future career in biodiversity conservation.”

Recently, CCF delivered its first in-field PAT training in Kenya, bringing its online curriculum directly to conservancies and government teams on the ground. During that time, staff from the local government Kenya Wildlife Service were trained to independently deploy, manage, and troubleshoot their own IoT digital infrastructure for conservation.

The results were immediate. Shortly after the training, the Masai Mara Triangle successfully re-deployed their gateways onto the new soverign Konza server — entirely in-house.

Impact and outcomes: Building local capacity for conservation

Since its inception just over six months ago, the PAT Training Program has grown rapidly to meet an urgent need. With 529 learners enrolled and 530 certificates issued, this growing cadre of skilled technicians enables conservation teams to:

• Maintain critical sensor networks independently, reducing reliance on costly external experts.
• Integrate real-time environmental and wildlife data into platforms like EarthRanger, facilitating rapid and informed decision-making.
• Understand how to scale network infrastructure confidently across protected areas, expanding the reach and effectiveness of conservation efforts.

“My park has challenges with communication,” shared Martin Ndego Abodiba, a PAT participant and part of the Wildlife Division Forestry Commission in Ghana. “This course has made me aware of how communication should flow from field rangers to the control room. It has helped my thinking and enhanced operations activities, including how to brief my rangers before and after patrols.”

By fostering local expertise, the program not only strengthens wildlife protection but also creates new career pathways, supporting community-led stewardship of natural resources.

Technology and training: A holistic approach to conservation

The partnership between Cisco Networking Academy and CCF exemplifies how technology and education can combine to create lasting conservation impact. Keeping advanced digital tools online provides the means to monitor ecosystems, improve the detection of threats, and reduce the downtime of critical infrastructure, while the PAT program ensures that these tools are effectively managed by skilled professionals on the ground. Furthermore, the PAT program creates new career opportunities and pathways in rural communities, enabling graduates to return to their communities with skills that support conservation and environmental stewardship across Africa, home to a quarter of the world’s biodiversity. Collaborative initiatives that bring together technology, training, and community engagement help further conservation efforts.

Continuing the legacy of the Circle of Life

Just as Mufasa’s lesson reminds us of our responsibility to maintain the balance of life, the Cisco-CCF partnership and the PAT Training Program embody this in action. By supporting local communities with technology and skills, they nurture a future where wildlife and people coexist.

Together, these efforts are not only protecting endangered species and vital ecosystems – but building more resilient communities and inclusive opportunities. This is how the circle of life continues: through respect, responsibility, and the power of collaboration.

View original content here.

Originally published by Mastercard

Small businesses need capital to launch and scale their ideas. And yet, it remains one of the biggest barriers to growth for small businesses globally. Community lenders — including some 1,500 Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) that largely cater to low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs in the U.S. — focus on creative solutions to address this hurdle.

To maximize impact and address small business challenges, community lenders can join a CDFI network, such as an industry association or coalition. These groups function as conveners that capture and reflect the collective voice of members in advocacy efforts, document and help members deploy best practices, identify funding sources for partners, foster strategic partnerships, and introduce new products and services. They can explore and test new ideas safely, knowing there’s a network of support behind them to help shoulder the risk.

Networks vary in focus, size, and mission. Some, like Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) and Inclusiv, serve hundreds of CDFIs and credit unions nationwide. Others, like Appalachian Community Capital (ACC), focus on specific regions, while groups such as the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs unite members around shared challenges. A common thread among all is their ability to reach large cross sections of the CDFI industry — what Mastercard Strive USA calls a “one-to-many” approach — ensuring community lenders of all sizes can expand and innovate.

“The power that general networks like Inclusiv and Opportunity Finance Network and more specific organizations like Appalachia Community Capital and the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs hold when it comes to creating impact not only for their members and they communities they serve, but across the industry, is substantial,” says Jonathan Fantini-Porter, senior vice president for the Americas at the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, who leads the Mastercard Strive USA program. “Mastercard Strive USA has intentionally supported these organizations and others doing similar work, as the one-to-many approach has proven to be effective in creating tangible impact across the small business ecosystem.”

Leveling up through innovation

OFN, a 470-member network, has collectively provided more than $124 billion in financing to rural, urban, and Native communities since 2023. Along with access to capital through various funding opportunities, OFN also amplifies members’ voices in public policy advocacy and provides resources to strengthen capacity.

Its CDFI Innovation Initiative, a five-year program supported by Mastercard Strive USA, is designed to spur solutions that help OFN members attract new capital, offer new financing products, and advance technologies like ethical AI and shared services models. By designing, testing, and scaling new structures and systems, OFN aims to expand access to capital for small businesses in underserved communities and incubate innovations that transform how CDFIs operate.

Mastercard Strive USA seed funding for the first two years is projected to boost industry deployment of financial capital from $1.07 billion in 2024 to $1.76 billion in 2026.

Inclusiv’s marketplace model drives new capital

Inclusiv, with a membership of over 500 credit unions and cooperativas, has its Small Business Capital Initiative, supported by Mastercard Strive USA, which provides capacity building, technical assistance, and loan processing support, helping members increase the availability of affordable capital for underserved communities.

Its Loan Participation Marketplace allows member institutions to buy and sell small business loans to each other, creatively leveraging financial assets to reach more entrepreneurs. In Puerto Rico, Inclusive purchased a pool of three small business loans from Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Jesús Obrero totaling $980,000; freeing the cooperativa’s capital to finance loans for more entrepreneurs in their community.

Targeted impact for regional and identity-based networks

Some networks take a more targeted approach. Appalachian Community Capital (ACC) focuses specifically on serving lenders and small businesses in the Appalachian region. For its 40 member organizations, ACC offers a streamlined set of benefits: access to financing, a seat on the ACC Board of Directors, and opportunities to share best practices and feedback that shape how ACC supports community development lenders across the region. Recently, ACC expanded this model with the launch of the Resilient Appalachia Data Initiative (RADI).

RADI is a platform that provides CDFI small business lenders with data insights to support a more sustainable and inclusive economy. By focusing on specific regions, RADI has helped organizations like Mountain BizWorks in Appalachia deliver emergency relief to small businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. Supported by Mastercard Strive USA, RADI aims to channel over $15 million to at least 150 sustainable businesses within 18 months through its data analytics and process tools.

Another network organization with a more focused remit is the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs. They implement programs and initiatives that work to address economic challenges through advocacy, training and capacity building.

The Alliance’s Environment and Climate Technical Assistance Program, funded by Mastercard Strive USA, helps members support underserved businesses in accessing capital for clean energy and climate-related initiatives.

One to many

By convening members, being a platform for advocacy efforts, fundraising, and sources for innovation, these organizations play a key role in coordinating the community finance industry and the broader ecosystem.

These networks also streamline the financial equation, as public and private support stands to go further when funneled through an Industry association that creates impact with the one-to-many approach. Policymakers and other government leaders can engage these networks in their advocacy efforts to learn more about the CDFIs that exist in their regions and for guidance on how to best collaborate on economic development goals.

The end result? More capital powering the U.S. small businesses that serve as engines for regional — and ultimately national — economic resilience and long-term growth.

Continue reading here.

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

Originally published by Mastercard

Small businesses need capital to launch and scale their ideas. And yet, it remains one of the biggest barriers to growth for small businesses globally. Community lenders — including some 1,500 Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) that largely cater to low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs in the U.S. — focus on creative solutions to address this hurdle.

To maximize impact and address small business challenges, community lenders can join a CDFI network, such as an industry association or coalition. These groups function as conveners that capture and reflect the collective voice of members in advocacy efforts, document and help members deploy best practices, identify funding sources for partners, foster strategic partnerships, and introduce new products and services. They can explore and test new ideas safely, knowing there’s a network of support behind them to help shoulder the risk.

Networks vary in focus, size, and mission. Some, like Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) and Inclusiv, serve hundreds of CDFIs and credit unions nationwide. Others, like Appalachian Community Capital (ACC), focus on specific regions, while groups such as the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs unite members around shared challenges. A common thread among all is their ability to reach large cross sections of the CDFI industry — what Mastercard Strive USA calls a “one-to-many” approach — ensuring community lenders of all sizes can expand and innovate.

“The power that general networks like Inclusiv and Opportunity Finance Network and more specific organizations like Appalachia Community Capital and the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs hold when it comes to creating impact not only for their members and they communities they serve, but across the industry, is substantial,” says Jonathan Fantini-Porter, senior vice president for the Americas at the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, who leads the Mastercard Strive USA program. “Mastercard Strive USA has intentionally supported these organizations and others doing similar work, as the one-to-many approach has proven to be effective in creating tangible impact across the small business ecosystem.”

Leveling up through innovation

OFN, a 470-member network, has collectively provided more than $124 billion in financing to rural, urban, and Native communities since 2023. Along with access to capital through various funding opportunities, OFN also amplifies members’ voices in public policy advocacy and provides resources to strengthen capacity.

Its CDFI Innovation Initiative, a five-year program supported by Mastercard Strive USA, is designed to spur solutions that help OFN members attract new capital, offer new financing products, and advance technologies like ethical AI and shared services models. By designing, testing, and scaling new structures and systems, OFN aims to expand access to capital for small businesses in underserved communities and incubate innovations that transform how CDFIs operate.

Mastercard Strive USA seed funding for the first two years is projected to boost industry deployment of financial capital from $1.07 billion in 2024 to $1.76 billion in 2026.

Inclusiv’s marketplace model drives new capital

Inclusiv, with a membership of over 500 credit unions and cooperativas, has its Small Business Capital Initiative, supported by Mastercard Strive USA, which provides capacity building, technical assistance, and loan processing support, helping members increase the availability of affordable capital for underserved communities.

Its Loan Participation Marketplace allows member institutions to buy and sell small business loans to each other, creatively leveraging financial assets to reach more entrepreneurs. In Puerto Rico, Inclusive purchased a pool of three small business loans from Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Jesús Obrero totaling $980,000; freeing the cooperativa’s capital to finance loans for more entrepreneurs in their community.

Targeted impact for regional and identity-based networks

Some networks take a more targeted approach. Appalachian Community Capital (ACC) focuses specifically on serving lenders and small businesses in the Appalachian region. For its 40 member organizations, ACC offers a streamlined set of benefits: access to financing, a seat on the ACC Board of Directors, and opportunities to share best practices and feedback that shape how ACC supports community development lenders across the region. Recently, ACC expanded this model with the launch of the Resilient Appalachia Data Initiative (RADI).

RADI is a platform that provides CDFI small business lenders with data insights to support a more sustainable and inclusive economy. By focusing on specific regions, RADI has helped organizations like Mountain BizWorks in Appalachia deliver emergency relief to small businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. Supported by Mastercard Strive USA, RADI aims to channel over $15 million to at least 150 sustainable businesses within 18 months through its data analytics and process tools.

Another network organization with a more focused remit is the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs. They implement programs and initiatives that work to address economic challenges through advocacy, training and capacity building.

The Alliance’s Environment and Climate Technical Assistance Program, funded by Mastercard Strive USA, helps members support underserved businesses in accessing capital for clean energy and climate-related initiatives.

One to many

By convening members, being a platform for advocacy efforts, fundraising, and sources for innovation, these organizations play a key role in coordinating the community finance industry and the broader ecosystem.

These networks also streamline the financial equation, as public and private support stands to go further when funneled through an Industry association that creates impact with the one-to-many approach. Policymakers and other government leaders can engage these networks in their advocacy efforts to learn more about the CDFIs that exist in their regions and for guidance on how to best collaborate on economic development goals.

The end result? More capital powering the U.S. small businesses that serve as engines for regional — and ultimately national — economic resilience and long-term growth.

Continue reading here.

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.