Voices from the Field
In the interest of supporting open and robust exchange of thoughts and ideas related to diversity and effectiveness in philanthropy, we are committed to running periodic think pieces from philanthropy and social policy experts that can help to advance constructive debate and intellectual advancement that furthers movement on diversity issues in our profession. On occasion, these pieces will be commissioned works that the Project has called on specific leaders to provide. Otherwise we will re-run pieces that have been brought to our attention from various public sources. We feature four important pieces that provide both provocative and instructive content of concern to our work.
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The first is Gara LaMarche’s Taking Account of Race: A Philanthropic Imperative, the inaugural Waldemar Nielsen lecture to Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Non-Profit Leadership. In his address, LaMarche weaves the historic political context, the growing legislative pressures on philanthropy to demonstrate its responsiveness to the communities it serves, and the ever-present question of foundation “effectiveness” into a powerful case for increasing diversity and inclusion in philanthropy.
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The second is from a recent New York Times interview with University of Michigan professor Scott E. Page. The interview focuses on findings from Page's recently released book entitled: "The Difference: How the Power of Diversity Creates Better Groups, Firms, Schools and Societies” (Princeton University Press).
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Our third featured piece is from race and society expert Steven E. Mayer, Ph.D. of Effective Communities and JustPhilanthropy in Minneapolis, MN. In this piece Mayer reflects on the case for greater organized philanthropy effort to focus on institutional inequities affecting disadvantaged groups and communities.
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Finally, our fourth featured piece is from a past issue of Foundation News & Commentary and offers perspectives on the issues from staff leaders of the Denver Foundation. In recent years, the Foundation and its staff have exercised notable leadership on diversity and inclusivity matters through their work in and around the City of Denver, CO. The piece herein shares lessons learned from their experience.
We very much welcome your reactions to these pieces, as well as your thoughts, suggestions and submissions concerning future topics to be covered in this section on our website.
Following below in order of presentation are the interviews and articles referenced above.
- Inaugural Waldemar Nielsen Issue Forums Address at Georgetown University
- Gara LaMarche, The Atlantic Philanthropies
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- In Professor’s Model, Diversity = Productivity
- A Conversation With Scott E. Page
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- Philanthropy Must Address Structural Inequities
- Steven E. Mayer, Ph.D.
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- Beyond Diversity
- The Denver Foundation's Expanding Nonprofit Inclusiveness Initiative is working to move past diversity to inclusiveness.
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