2025 has been a year of change, challenge, and renewal as we’ve focused in on the issues that matter most to our members: affordable housing & energy utilities, equitable sewer rates, and storm water management to decrease sewer backups and damage to our homes. In 2026, we’re envisioning new ways to connect our members and to work in solidarity with partners to build the power we need to make a difference in the lives of Hamilton County residents.

Here are some of our accomplishments in 2025:

• We won a commitment from the city to secure funding for our storm water management pilot program, and to administer it through the Office of Environment & Sustainability with community oversight.

• With our allies, we worked to get City Council members committed to increasing investment in housing for low-income residents and to work with us to reduce displacement from existing affordable housing.

• We won changes to the way we are billed for sewers to end bulk rate discounts for large water users that end up being subsidized by everyone else, and a commitment to begin billing large property owners that currently don’t pay for the runoff they contribute to the cost of maintaining our sewer system.

We know we’ll continue to make an impact on these issues if we build power, organized people and money. In 2026, we are doubling down on our leadership development program to educate our members and allies on the issues they care about and to deepen their grassroots organizing skills.

Will you invest in growing CUFA’s power by contributing $50, $100, or $250 to our annual fund? We know some gave more in the past and appreciate the steadfast commitment to grassroots organizing. This year, we’re challenging you to double your financial support to help grow our grassroots fundraising and decrease our dependence on grant support. Thank you for considering a year-end gift to support our work to make Hamilton County a brighter place to live for everyone.