Inclusivity: Just Do It!

August 7, 2008

At the national conference of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers last week, we participated in a session on Diversity in Philanthropy. Presenters included Renee Branch, director of diversity and inclusive practices for the national Council on Foundations, Anna Pond, consultant with the Diversity in Philanthropy Project, and Vicki Rosenberg, a diversity program leader from one of our colleague organizations, the Council of Michigan Foundations.

The work and resources presented were excellent, such as the The State of Research on Diversity in Philanthropy (PDF) report and the summary of the Philanthropy in a Changing Society: Achieving Effectiveness through Diversity report (PDF) from the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. The planning and strategizing presented by the panel is essential to achieving agreement on goals and assuring measurable outcomes. But when it came time for Q & A, a few audience members raised their hands and said, “Help us now!” They wanted some concrete, “just do it” ideas to implement right away, because even baby steps are better than no steps when it comes to advancing the diversity agenda.

The audience questions led to a quick back-and-forth on ways to get started: add a diversity track at your annual meeting, adopt a non-discrimination policy for your organization, reach out to affinity groups, etc. The brainstorming and sharing were encouraging to everyone having trouble getting traction on this issue.

Join the conversation: What are your “just do it” ideas for improving diversity and inclusivity in your organization?

- Wendy Wehr, MCF VP of communications and information services

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Posted by Wendy Wehr

In the Media

August 7, 2008

Local stories:

  • Taking the Air
    Chronicle of Philanthropy (requires paid subscription): For many girls in high school, gossip is the fastest way to spread a juicy story. But at KFAI Fresh Air Radio, in Minneapolis, teenage girls are taught how to find and report the real juicy stories. Last August, the station received a $10,000 grant from the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, through its GirlsBEST (Building Economic Success Together) fund.
  • Arts Organizations Adjust to New Bush Priorities
    Minnesota Public Radio audio feature: Morning Edition arts commentator and St. Paul Pioneer Press theater critic Dominic Papatola talked about how the foundation’s new direction could affect its giving to the state’s cultural institutions.
  • Rotary is a ‘Champion for Early Childhood’
    Crookston Times: The Crookston Early Childhood Initiative, which is supported by the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, expressed their appreciation to the Rotarians for providing young children with the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and engage in physical activity.
  • New Initiative Examines Children’s Mental Health
    Alexandria Echo Press: Studies show that if the social and emotional needs of young children are unmet, even at their tender age, they are at risk for a whole host of troubles, including poor school performance, emotional and behavioral problems, and juvenile delinquency. That’s why West Central Initiative, in conjunction with Douglas County Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) - Building Connections - is promoting the healthy social and emotional development of young children.

National stories:

  • MBAs Lift Non-Profit Sector
    Financial Times: As many non-profit organisations strive to make their operations more professional, a growing number of their employees are choosing to take an MBA.
  • Not Many Speak Their Mind To Gates Foundation
    Seattle Times: The Gates Foundation says it wants to hear from its critics. But with so many in the global health world dependent on the foundation’s cash, honest feedback is hard to come by.
  • Government Asks Public for Views on Charity Student-Loan Forgiveness Rules
    Chronicle of Philanthropy: The College Cost Reduction and Access Act, H.R. 2669, allows people to erase their loan balances after making 120 payments if they been a full-time “public service employee” during that time. The benefit would apply only to payments made after October 1, 2007.

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Posted by MCF Webmaster

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