Project Updates
Dear Friends of the Diversity in Philanthropy Project,
The recent election outcomes, including most notably Senator Barack Obama’s decisive presidential victory, underscore the theme of this past year’s national election cycle: the American public’s hunger for change and in key respects a more inclusive, participatory approach to addressing public problem solving in our times. The issues of race and gender that dominated the election season as never before speak to America’s continuing evolution as a nation, and the prospect of more effective institutional leadership on the issues stemming from the introduction of new voices and perspectives in the public life of our country.
At the same time, while Americans can and should celebrate these historic developments, the election results in certain states and regions were disappointing in important aspects. For example, in Arizona, California and Florida, controversial ballot measures denied marriage rights to LGBT populations in those states; and in at least one state, Nebraska, voters opted to cease supporting established affirmative action programs.
On the heels of this historic election year and in the midst of increasingly difficult times, this is an appropriate time to review where we are as a field on issues of inclusiveness and effectiveness – and invite your input. Beyond the election, diversity and inclusion remain central to our sector’s relevance and its ability to meet the challenges ahead. Efforts to increase diversity and inclusivity in our profession and the larger society can help build the nation’s donor base, improve foundation business practices and responsiveness, attract new leadership to the field, and position the private grant making sector for broader public accountability and impact.
Our Recent Activities and Evolving Plans
Over the last two and a half years, the Diversity in Philanthropy Project has worked to raise awareness of the need for increased diversity and inclusion in the private grant making profession and to make the case for organizing our field more strategically around these issues. The sector’s demand for diversity resources (including referrals to effective technical assistance providers, “how to” manuals and other tools, data and research) is high and growing. To date, our work has advanced efforts to lift up new and proven strategies and opportunities to expand sector performance on the issues. Ultimately, of course, we recognize that the important work of promoting diversity and inclusive practices in our sector must and will be carried forward by leading philanthropic sector infrastructure groups and networks that can best respond to the long term needs of the field.
In the coming months, therefore, as the Diversity in Philanthropy Project concludes its three-year campaign (2007-2009), we are attempting to play a supporting role in a new effort – a five-year diversity leadership campaign (D5) to be led by a select group of field anchor organization leaders. With an eye to advancing long-term independent sector effectiveness through increased diversity, this campaign will seek to:
- Build on investments and successes to date
- Increase field coordination, resources and technical assistance
- Enhance related institutional capacity
- Create a hub to share knowledge and lessons learned
- Encourage responsible advocacy on the issues
This work – unprecedented in its scope and mechanics – will involve the development and promotion of highly interactive and carefully coordinated field building, research and advocacy activities in support of enhanced sector inclusivity, relevance and impact. Participating institutions will include, among others, the Council on Foundations, The Foundation Center, a consortium of regional associations of grant makers, a coalition of interested affinity organizations and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (representing a select cohort of diversity-focused community funds serving women’s and girls’ constituencies, LGBT groups, communities of color, and other historically underserved populations across the nation).
Common Principles & Promising Practices
At the 2008 Council on Foundations Summit in Washington, DC, we broadly circulated a set of Common Principles and Promising Practices [Page 3] for leading foundations and philanthropic networks to endorse and apply in their respective institutional settings. In recent months, these Principles and Practices statements have been formally adopted by two important regional associations of grant makers, the Council of Michigan Foundations and the Ohio Grantmakers Forum. Going forward, we hope to inspire other leading philanthropy institutions and associations to adopt and implement these statements.
New & Expanded Leadership
To help guide these efforts, we are delighted to announce that Stephen B. Heintz, President and CEO of Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and Sterling K. Speirn, President and CEO of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, have graciously agreed to serve as Vice Chairs of the DPP Advisory Board for the coming year. Each brings a wealth of experience and commitment and provides another channel through which we can broaden and deepen the discourse. Be sure to read these two leaders’ commentaries on diversity and effectiveness in philanthropy issues, which are featured in our newest website content.
Our leadership now also includes an expanded Executive Committee. This team of leaders will be responsible for helping guide our planning efforts and further activating the field. In addition to Stephen Heintz and Sterling Speirn, we welcome Ronna D. Brown, President of the New York Regional Association of Grantmakers (NYRAG), Jessica Chao, Vice President of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, and Gara LaMarche, President and CEO of The Atlantic Philanthropies. We are grateful for their service.
We invite you to explore our evolving Web site for additional voices and perspectives on the issues and ask you to share your opinions by contacting us at info@diversityinphilanthropy.org.
Thank you for your continuing interest and engagement in the work of the Diversity in Philanthropy Project.
Read previous DPP Briefings