Frances Weiner
Hometown:
Morgantown, West Virginia
Connect: LinkedIn
Frances is excited about developing climate resilient communities and working alongside talented professionals, local organizers, and changemakers to solve the biggest challenges of our future. She is eager to apply her psychology, entrepreneurial and community development experience in a new way and hopes to move the needle on the creation of climate resilient communities.
Frances Weiner brings nearly a decade of experience collaborating with creators, businesses, non-profit organizations and community leaders to build conscious change.
Originally rooted in Appalachia for 25 years, Frances transplanted herself to Reno, Nevada, where she spearheaded the MidTown Business Association. Leading this community of dedicated business owners, she successfully took a diverse and thriving business district and increased membership by more than 150% (30 to 80 members) as well as developed innovative funding models in order to build capacity for future growth. These strategies cultivated an environment that embraced change and exploration that guided the community toward dynamic growth while meeting the evolving needs of local businesses.
Beyond her organizational leadership, Frances applied her connections and entrepreneurial background by teaching business classes at the University of Nevada, Reno. This experience laid the foundation for her leadership role in curating and securing approximately $250,000 in sponsorship for TEDxUniversityofNevada (3rd most viewed in the nation).
Frances’ passion for and expertise in innovative business development transcends conventional boundaries and provides avenues for exploration beyond the familiar. She believes that nurturing businesses and fostering communities translate to intentional endeavors grounded in a clear understanding of purpose.
Frances holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nevada, Reno and a BS in Psychology from Ohio University.
ERC Project
Project Title:
Climate Financing for Low Income Communities
Host Community or Region:
California
Host Organization:
The Center by Lendistry, in collaboration with the City of San Fernando CA, City of Pasadena CA, Blue Sky Center, and Cuyama Valley CA
The project seeks to empower community development organizations and small businesses in low-income and disadvantaged communities by benefiting from the unprecedented levels of federal and state climate investments for clean energy and climate projects. The ERC Fellow will create a toolbox of resources to equip community-based organizations and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) with the capacity to acquire zero-emission technologies and support environmental justice activities. This initiative aims to create healthier and wealthier communities of color and historically disinvested rural communities throughout the region while fostering inclusivity and promoting sustainable growth and economic empowerment. The fellow will engage in intensive research, cross-sector partnership development, project and portfolio analysis, and strategy coordination to support the development; in addition, the fellow will support early-stage implementation of a set of capital products and capacity building tools for community-based organizations, community development financial institutions, and small businesses in a diverse set of communities across Southern California.
Interested in supporting this project or learning more? Contact the ERC program team here.
