A growing movement to spark philanthropic giving from a community on behalf of a community, where “community” is defined by race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.

The U.S. population is changing, with ethnic and racial groups growing faster than the overall population. Not surprisingly, the face of philanthropy is changing along with it.

The report found that 63 percent of Latino households now make charitable donations, and blacks give away 25 percent more of their income per year than whites.

Concurrently the definition of philanthropy is expanding to encompass contributions of any size from people of every income bracket and ethnic background. And, the report shows how these new philanthropists are pooling their money—in increasingly organized ways—for greater impact.

The report challenges funders to consider ways to collaborate:

• by providing seed support and other forms of assistance,
• by embracing identity-based funds as critical partners in the sector and forging stronger connections within communities of color,
• by diversifying the leadership of mainstream philanthropy to reflect changing demographics and
• by shifting practices to reflect what communities of color are teaching about the future of giving and how funders can positively impact the country’s most vulnerable children and families.

MCF agrees that grantmaking is most effective when grantmakers reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.

For local information on the subject, check out our 2011 Working Towards Diversity IV report, which paints a comprehensive picture of the demographics, policies and practices on diversity and inclusion of Minnesota grantmakers. Review our diversity resources, and visit the websites of our strategic partners:

• Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP)
• Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP)
• Minnesota Blacks in Philanthropy and
• Native Americans in Philanthropy

It’s important work. W.K. Kellogg Foundation president and CEO Sterling Speirn puts it this way, “We believe that understanding and supporting this emerging area of philanthropy is essential for any foundation, funder or donor who wants to drive social change.”

- Susan Stehling, MCF communications associate

CC Photo: KellyCDB

1. Pet Peeves from Program Officers – How to steer clear of some common annoyances in the grantmaker/grantee relationship.
2. Program Evaluation or Research and Development? – We need both! Six principles for engaging in sound research & development.
3. Grantmaking at Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies – Minnesota’s largest grantmaker gears up and starts granting.
4. Blandin Foundation Names New CEO – We welcome Kathleen Annette to her new role.
5. What Does It Take to Lead in Diversity and Inclusivity? – Excerpts from an interview with Headwaters Foundation for Justice program director David Nicholson.
6. High Praise from Program Officers – The flip side of pet peeves: how to make that relationship a good one!
7. Youthprise Launches to Champion Learning Beyond the Classroom – A new grantmaker and MCF member hits the scene.
8. Five Critical Ways to Address the Education Gap – Recommendations from the Minnesota African American Leadership Forum.
9. We All Lose: Impact of Deep Cuts to NEA – Thoughts on arts-related cuts passed in Congress earlier this year.
10. Native Americans in Philanthropy Giving Research Shows Inequities – Some bad news (national funding to Native Americans is low), and some good (Minnesota-based grantees receive the largest share of grant dollars targeting Native Americans in the nation).
11. Teaching Kids to Share, Save and Spend – Some lessons from Teach Your Kids to Share Day, presented by MCF member Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Join the conversation: What were your favorite blog posts of 2011?

For those of you who have been following our recent article on 2009 arts giving trends, you know that arts giving in 2009 in Minnesota fell to its lowest level since 2003, but there is hope on a national level for a rebound in 2011. According to the article Arts Giving is Up, But Hold the Applause by Joel Rose from National Public Radio, charitable giving for the arts was up 5% so far in 2011. The star example of this mini renaissance is the Metropolitan Opera which had a fifty percent increase in donations this year, a record campaign bringing in over $182 million dollars.

What does the “hold the applause” refer to? The majority of money given went to serve audiences that are whiter and wealthier than the American average, and to large organizations that primarily serve Western European culture, like opera houses, art museums and classical music groups. The majority of foundations give to arts organizations with yearly budgets exceeding $5 million.

Now, I personally love the Minnesota Opera and would be thrilled to see it also have a blockbuster fundraising year, and as an individual I have every right to support what fits my tastes. But what about large grantmaking organizations? What obligations do they have to ensure an equitable, inclusive and diversified field of grantees get funding?

One solution to increasing the diversity in arts grantmaking may be to make grants available tailored to the needs and capabilities of small arts organizations, which tend to be more diverse.  Some grantmakers already offer small grants to promote community art and multi-cultural or ethnic art initiatives. At MCF member The St. Paul Foundation, the Asian Pacific Endowment specializes in funding community-based organizations and informal grassroots groups with budgets under $500,000. In 2010, this endowment funded projects that used culture, including the arts, to address social issues that affect the Asian Pacific Islander community in Minnesota. One example of the grant projects that the Asian Pacific Endowment funded is the Bon Odori pictured above, performed annually at the Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival in Como Park. Initiatives like the Asian Pacific Endowment are first steps towards ensuring that arts funding in Minnesota diversifies, truly serving the common good.

- Kaitlin Ostlie, MCF administrative assistant

Photo courtesy of the Japan America Society of Minnesota

Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) gives this perspective:

“Building democratic philanthropy is a call to action for both organized philanthropy and individuals to support the development of institutions and practices that begin with the vision of communities first, and that draw on the assets of those communities as the starting place for any blueprint to maximize their potential. It is a call to institutions and individuals to engage the voices of impacted communities, and to leverage individual action for collective good.”

To see AAPIP’s video take on building democratic philanthropy, check out this short video:

AAPIP’s Annual Membership meeting is this Sunday, April 10, 2011, preceding the start of this year’s national Council on Foundations 2011 Annual Conference in Philadelphia.

Watch AAPIP’s meeting and community program live online starting at 7:30 CST. Links for the livestream are on AAPIP’s website.

The community program will feature the Asian Mosaic Fund, one of AAPIP’s giving circle partners, which has played a growing role in supporting many of the community-based organizations in Philadelphia.  The fund has been an important part of am expanding national movement for the development of giving circles as a critical source of philanthropic capital for our communities. (Don’t know what a giving circle is? Check out mcf.org.)

The program also will feature an update on AAPIP’s Giving Circle Campaign and a panel discussion.

AAPIP is a strategic partner of the Minnesota Council on Foundations. The Minnesota chapter, established in 1998, currently has a healthy and active group of more than 25 institutional, individual and associate members. For info on the chapter, visit the website. Chairs are Dorothy Skobba, The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota; and Lorri Todd, The McKnight Foundation.

- Chris Murakami Noonan, MCF communications associate

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the launch of their 20th Anniversary Journey: Weaving Leadership, Indigenous People & Resources. St. Paul was the first stop on a year-long journey across the nation to launch NAP’s Regional Action Networks.

As I sat in a room filled with Native people affiliated with local organizations and grantmakers, I was moved by their deep passion and commitment to the vision and mission of NAP. The organization is rooted in a vision of healthy and sustainable communities, enhanced by the Native spirit of generosity. They work to advance philanthropic practices grounded in Native values and traditions.

One program offered by NAP is called The Art of Giving. Grounded in Native experience, history and culture, it reflects the Native community’s culture of giving and draws on their personal experiences and visions of the future. Rooted in the seven directions of the Native medicine wheel, it inspired me to look at my family’s philanthropy in a way that draws its purpose and motivation from a grateful heart.

We at the Minnesota Council on Foundations offer our congratulations to NAP for their achievements in advancing Native philanthropy in our nation and their efforts in educating communities on the history and culture of Native peoples. We hope to be a continued partner for the next 20 years!

If you are interested in learning more about Native Americans in Philanthropy, their programs and the 20th Anniversary Journey, visit their website at nativephilanthropy.org. NAP will present their day-long program at least nine times in seven regions around the country this year.

- Chuck Peterson, MCF vice president of member relations

Created with the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, an MCF member, and the San Francisco Foundation, “Context Is Everything: Reflections on Strengthening Partnerships Between the Philanthropic Community and Native Americans,” includes interviews from Native American nonprofit leaders, as well as experienced foundation staff who reflect on the gap and what strategies are needed for grantmakers to work effectively with Native communities.

It finds that the causes of underfunding are complex, but much can be attributed to lingering negative stereotypes about Native people, as well as grantmakers’ lack of cultural competency and predilection for narrow, targeted funding emphasizing individual achievement, a focus that is often discordant with Native problem-solving strategies that value a collaborative, democratic approach emphasizing building meaningful relationships.

The report concludes that the journey to successful grantmaking in “Indian Country” starts first with building respectful relationships with members of the community and continues through a process of co-creation and cultural understanding.

The spirit of the report’s recommendations for effective funding are summarized well by the words of June Noronha, strategic planning officer at the Bush Foundation (an MCF member), who has worked for many years with Native people:

• Listen, don’t talk;
• Don’t proscribe, collaborate;
• Have infinite patience;
• Don’t define success in a linear or quantitative fashion;
• Acknowledge the rich intellectual and expertise capital in Indian Country;
• And, always remember that relationships matter.

In addition to this more general advice on grantmaking in Native communities, the report also contains some very concrete recommendations on next steps that need to be taken to further the cause of strengthening Native communities in the United States. The report can be downloaded for free at the OneFire Development website.

- Cary Lenore Walski, MCF web communications associate

She said, “Conversations can be frightening – they tell you who you are as a human being. However, the gift on the other side of the challenge is the building of relationships and community. God has given us the gift of diversity. It is an insult to pretend you do not notice it. Enter a conversation because the differences we bring can be gifts to one another. In a child’s world, noticing differences are an opportunity to move the conversation forward.”

Her words stirred me and got me wondering why we as people, as professionals, as co-workers, and co-board members don’t have conversations about race more often. Why is it that when the topic of race comes up, even in conversations related to diversity, inclusion and justice, we tend to back away, change the subject, or shut-down? Why is it that we can spend hours talking about disparities, difference, and what _______ should do, but only minutes about racism itself… intentional, unintentional, individual, and institutional racism?

Though there are many ism’s that should be addressed, racism is arguably the ism that lasted the longest and has the potential to continue into perpetuity in large part due to our inability and/or unwillingness to have open, frank, and crucial conversations in our day-to-day lives about it. So what can we do to change it?

For some, it’s been as simple as having lunch. In 1997, Joe Martin a long time Bank of America executive in Greenville, SC challenged the community to set-aside one day each week to have lunch with someone of a different race. These lunches not only provided an easy opportunity to have discussions about race and racism, but a way to begin building cross-racial relationships that extend beyond the formality of day-to-day business interactions.

Others have chosen even more intentional means such as visiting a worship place with different style and different cultures than you’re used to, or setting up a play-date for your children with children of different races, attending community events that take you out of your comfort zone, and interacting with the attendees to learn more about them as individuals and as a community. The options are as diverse as we are, but you still might be wondering how to actually have the conversation. I mean having lunch with a person of a different race doesn’t guarantee that you will actually talk about race and racism. Like any conversation with a purpose, it must be intentional, and there are tools to help us not only become more knowledgeable but prepared to have those crucial conversations.

A book has recently been released entitled “To Be Free: Understanding and Eliminating Racism” that I believe can help those who strive to know and do more to address racism. The book was written by Thomas Peacock and Marlene Wisuri, and the forward was written by Eric Jolly.

The book was produced with support from several Minnesota foundations and MCF members and free copies have been distributed at several recent events. Though the book was written to assist educators in preparing youth to prevent and eliminate racism, its content is enlightening and motivating for adults as well. Each chapter ends with a summary of its key themes and activities to promote understanding of its topic that could easily be used in a group setting for workplace dialogues and training.

I encourage you to use this book, available at aftonpress.com to create your own conversations about race and racism, and share with us and your peers on the blog your own solutions for continuing eliminating racism through conversation. And to share the words that were shared at the Facing Race Ambassador Awards event, the conversation about race will end when racism ends.

- Tawanna Black, MCF diversity fellow

Ridin' the range and ropin' the headlines so you don't have to.

Your biweekly roundup of media coverage on the world of nonprofit and philanthropy (yee-ha).

Bush Foundation Invests In Teacher Prep Programs
(Minnesota Public Radio) This month the Bush Foundation announced a bold, $40 million, 10-year initiative to improve teacher preparation in 14 colleges in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Opinion: High Demand for Aid Exceeds Folks’ Supply of Empathy
(The Star Tribune) In this powerful and very personal article, columnist Jon Tevlin talks about his own experiences growing up in a family that relied on food stamps for a time to survive, and how he sees troubling stereotypes about the poor that he became familiar with then, playing out in the giving (or sometimes the lack there of) today.

Knight Foundation Grants $1 Million to United States Artists to Support Artists, Art Initiatives
(The Daily Tell) As a part of its ongoing commitment to support the arts, the Knight Foundation has announced a 5-year, $1 million commitment to the grantmaking and advocacy organization United States Artists.

The Minnesota Wild Launches Foundation
(Twin Cities Business Magazine) The Minnesota Wild has launched their own foundation which aims to support educational initiatives, children’s medical support and the advancement of youth hockey in the state of Minnesota.

Northwest Area Foundation Awards $500,000 to Native American Prosperity Building Efforts
(Press Release) The Northwest Area Foundation recently awarded three grants, totally $500,000 to Native American organizations. Intended to support the growth of financial and human assets, the awards are a part of the Foundation’s strategic plan to redress the inequalities and poverty that many Native communities and other minorities are confronted with.

United Way Launches WarmSafeFed.org for Families in Need
(MPP Southwest Journal) The Greater Twin Cities United Way has launched a new website and a new grant to help families in need. The website WarmSafeFed.org has detailed information about the struggle that many families are facing in current economy. The grant money is intended to support area shelters as they assist homeless families in their transition from shelter to stable housing.

Did we leave something out? Please email your Minnesota grantmaker and nonprofit news to Cary Lenore Walski, MCF web communications associate, at cwalski@mcf.org, or leave a comment to this entry below.

The program, which you can listen to on Rosetta Thurman’s blog, was a response in part to the Council on Foundations report titled Career Pathways to Philanthropic Leadership, which found that only 20 percent of successful candidates for leadership positions within the philanthropic sector are from racially diverse backgrounds.

During the show, the panel speakers talked about the importance of having diverse leaders at the top level in the independent sector, not only because a diverse staff affects organizational decision making, but because pitfalls can occur when nonprofits and grantmakers attempt to serve constituents that are not represented within their organization.

As Tamar Cloyd responded during the interview, “Don’t do something about me, without me.” Shawn Lewis also shared insights from his experience working within the sector. He stated that generally much of the progress that he’s seen in creating better recruitment practices has come from board or committee members who advocate strongly for better, more inclusive practices within organizations.

Stephen Bauer suggested that one of the best strategies for increasing the likelihood of hiring someone of color is to be willing to search again for diverse applicants if, after an initial collection of applicants, it’s revealed that the pool of people you’re considering does not have enough diverse candidates.

If you are interested in learning more about how your organization can recruit people of ethnically and culturally diverse backgrounds, check out the recording of this interview at Rosetta Thurman’s blog. Then, after you’ve listened to the interview, visit the MCF Diversity Resource page to access the free, downloadable resources that we’ve created and collected to assist MCF member and non-member grantmakers to create better diversity practices within their organizations and fulfill the MCF Diversity Principle.

If you are currently searching for candidates for a position in your organization, you may also find the Minnesota Ethnic and Community Media Directory (pdf) produced by Twin Cities Media Alliance a helpful resource as you look for publications to advertise your job openings.

Join the conversation: Do you think that your organization is doing enough to recruit diverse candidates for leadership positions? Do you have any strategies or practices that you’ve found have been successful in encouraging people of color and other minority groups to apply?

Did you know that less than 0.5 % of US institutional grant-making money goes to support programming for American Indians? The new Tiwahe Foundation hopes to fill this gap and create new opportunities for grantees in the state of Minnesota. It will be one of only 36 other foundations in the US directed by American Indians.*

Children performing at the Prairie Dakota Wacipi Celebration in Redwing, Minn. The Tiwahe Foundation will support future leaders of the American Indian community in Minnesota through the awarding of micro-grants.

The foundation is the culmination of the The American Indian Family Empowerment Program (AIFEP), whose strategic goal was to create the new foundation. Tiwahe Foundation is a continuance of AIFEP’s mission, and will replace AIFEP.

It is the only Native-American-run foundation in the state of Minnesota whose primary focus is to serve as a catalyst for individuals seeking fulfillment through education, economic self-sufficiency, service to the community and creating cultural connections.

The goal of the Tiwahe Foundation is to build upon AIFEP’s 16-year history of grant making to Minnesota’s American Indian community. “We believe the individuals that will be supported by the Tiwahe Foundation are the generation of American Indian people that will build upon our past, strengthen our culture and values, and begin to restore and sustain a healthy community seven generations into the future,” stated LaVon Lee, Grotto Foundation program officer and Tiwahe Foundation administrator in a recent press release.

The Seventh Generation Campaign was established earlier this year to raise $6 million for an endowment. The campaign was seeded with gifts totaling $1 million from the Marbrook Foundation, Westcliff Foundation, Grotto Foundation and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, and program support from The Saint Paul Foundation and The Minneapolis Foundation.

The Tiwahe Foundation is actively looking for additional contributors. If you’re interested in learning more about this new organization and its mission, read Scott Russell’s MinnPost article on the foundation or visit the Grotto Foundation website.

*Source: A Demographic Profile Of Independently Incorporated Native American Foundations and Selected funds in the United States prepared by Louis Delgado and the Center for Urban Research and Learning, Loyola University of Chicago, published by Native Americans in Philanthropy

Photo CC Joshua Bartz