Turn on or tune in to any media source, and your emphatic reply would be “No way.” The extreme polarization in our country is more and more frightening every day. The new cultural norm is to not merely express strong points of view but to thoroughly demonize others.

At least one practitioner says it’s time to address this crisis with a new, 21st century approach to diversity, inclusion and equity.

At the University of St. Thomas Diversity Insights program last Thursday, Howard Ross, founder of Cook Ross Inc. and a leading national expert on diversity, leadership, and organizational change, challenged his audience to look within themselves for solutions.

Ross homed in on the source of our animosity toward each other — essentially, primal fears that lead us toward unconscious, visceral negative reactions to cultural, group, individual and institutional differences.

He coached audience members to overcome the “us vs. them” mentality by developing our capacity to observe ourselves. Instead of pointing the finger at others, he said, we should shine a light on our own biases.  Recognizing our own foibles and faults will increase our compassion toward others.

Ross’s points reminded me of conversations we’ve had at MCF about diversity in philanthropy. When we developed our Diversity & Inclusion Action Kit to accompany MCF’s Working Towards Diversity IV research, we deliberately titled the worksheets ”My Actions.” We wanted to reinforce that grantmakers must take the first step by focusing on what they can do – not what others should do.

Ross concluded his remarks with some concrete steps we can each take to close the widening gulfs in our organizations and in society at large:

• Shift your consumption of media to really listen to the other side.
• Open a constructive dialogue in your organization, focusing not on the issues themselves, but on the way in which you’re talking about the issues.
• Talk to young people about other points of view.
• Take “the other” to lunch not to persuade, but to listen.

I haven’t cracked open Ross’s new book “ReInventing Diversity: Transforming Organizational Community to Strengthen People, Purpose and Performance.” But based on his presentation, I expect I’ll find more than a few concepts that are applicable to the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.

Join the Conversation: When “us vs. them” differences arise in your own organization, what are your actions and reactions? Is there a chasm between grantmakers and nonprofits that could be narrowed by self-awareness?

- Wendy Wehr, MCF v.p. of communications and information services

Photo cc AAskew

The program provides an opportunity for individuals to increase their capacity for and improve their practice of leadership while working with others to address big issues in their communities. It is based on four core principles needed to solve tough problems: knowing yourself first, knowing your community deeply, fostering community action, and managing conflict.

Some of the qualities the foundation looks for in Bush Fellows are:

• Commitment to making their community a better place for all
• Belief that risk, failure and conflict are not to be feared when working to find solutions to tough problems
• Passion for learning and improving their leadership skills
• An understanding that the solutions to their community’s tough problems are to be found within the collective wisdom of the community

To learn more and get started on an application, visit the Bush Foundation’s website. New in 2012, there are three deadlines over the course of the year that an application can be submitted: March 2, May 4, and July 9.

Also be sure to have a look at the 2011 Bush Fellows cohort, to see all of the great work that has been funded over the past year.

Valerie Halverson Pace, center

If you don’t think philanthropy in Minnesota and the Ukraine have much in common, think again.

On October 20-21, I attended MCF’s conference in St. Paul, The Evolution of Corporate Philanthropy: Building Value and Creating Change, where discussion revolved around truly integrating corporate citizenship and philanthropy within a company’s business strategy.

The previous week in Mykolajiv, Ukraine, the Ukrainian Philanthropists Forum, in conjunction with the Center for Social Programs RUSAL, East Europe Foundation, held Ukraine’s first international conference on corporate volunteering.

Both groups heard from Valerie Halverson Pace, west region manager, Corporate Citizenship, at IBM in Rochester, Minnesota, and an MCF member. She spoke of the change that she’s seen in the past 15 years at IBM, a company cited here and halfway around the world for doing things right and pushing the boundaries of corporate citizenship.

According to Pace, IBM is working across business units in 170 countries on pressing issues including the environment, economic development, education, health, literacy, language and culture.

IBM is applying their technology and the talent of their employees to solve problems, rather than simply making cash donations. They provide leadership and insist on excellence. And, whether it’s using voice recognition technology to help children learn to read or cloud computing to make disaster relief tools instantly available to recovery workers, they collaborate with qualified partners and fully expect to effect widespread positive change.

IBM’s efforts include: the Smarter Cities Challenge, a competitive grant program awarding $50 million worth of IBM expertise over three years to 100 cities around the globe; Service Jam and more.

Turns out MCF and the Ukrainian Philanthropists Forum are both members of WINGS, a global network of 145 grantmaker associations. And Bill King, MCF president and a WINGS board member, is responsible for facilitating the Ukraine-Minnesota philanthropy connection.

It’s a great example of one way that MCF is working to promote and strengthen philanthropy in Minnesota and far beyond the borders of our state.

- Susan Stehling, communications associate

The day’s first speaker, Chris Pinney, project lead for the national Council on Foundations Corporate Philanthropy 2012 initiative, started things off with a few startling facts:

• Of the 100 largest economies in the world, 51% are corporations and only 49% are countries.
• 40% of all current U.S. federal workers will retire in the next few years.
• Governments can no longer fill all of the gaps; government debt is high worldwide, business is often more trusted than government, and social issues are becoming more of a shared responsibility.

And, then he asked a question: “What’s the impact of corporate philanthropy in Minnesota?”

The room was filled with community affairs and foundation leaders from Target, Best Buy, IBM, Medtronic, Ameriprise Financial, General Mills, Wells Fargo and elsewhere, but the room was silent. No one had an answer.

Every foundation and giving program knows what they fund, some can measure the outcomes of their own giving, but no one offered any ideas on the sum total of their efforts – past, present or future – or mentioned a good (or consistently used) way to measure results.

Pinney didn’t have an answer either, but he believes corporate philanthropy must evolve from being about the money to being about “managing the money to achieve results.”

He says corporate grantmakers must lead corporate philanthropy until it is truly and completely integrated with the business strategy.

He gave good examples of businesses that are further along than most in these efforts, including IBM, Cisco and Starbucks. See slides 33, 34 and 35 of Pinney’s presentation for examples of how they are creating and incorporating shared value into their giving and business models.

Stay tuned, I plan to blog about other interesting ideas discussed at the conference. And, if you were there, please add your own views.

- Susan Stehling, communications associate

photo cc suttonhoo

Outstanding Community: The City of Wadena. The city was selected because of their community development work and recovery and rebuilding efforts after a June 2010 tornado.

Outstanding Enterprise: Larson Boats of Little Falls. Founded in 1916, Larson Boats started by manufacturing small wooden boats.  It has since survived the economic recession, while retaining 170 jobs, and has established itself as an internationally-known company.

Outstanding Generosity: Jack & Betty Thomas of Hackensack. The couple started Mann Lake Ltd in 1983 and has set up a real estate gift so that proceeds will help build the first modern animal shelter and training facility in Cass County.

Outstanding Nonprofit: Stearns-Benton Employment and Training Council of St. Cloud. This organization coordinates education and training for dislocated workers while working with local employers to address critical workforce needs.

The four will be featured at the Initiative Foundation’s “inspiRED” event, scheduled for October 28 in Nisswa. Details are available on their website. Congratulations to these worthy winners!

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of sitting in on a member-initiated briefing on youth mentoring, co-sponsored by the Travelers Foundation and the Carlson Family Foundation.

Coming into the program, I already solidly believed in the importance of the subject matter, as I can recall more occasions than I can count on two hands when a teacher or tutor has made the difference between passing and failing. Even now, in my college years, I am extremely grateful to have math tutors available to help me get through my microeconomics and finance classes­. For me, the one-on-one encouragement, attention and accountability remain crucial.­

So how do we pinpoint what makes a mentorship experience effective?

The resounding reason for attending the program given by most of the grantmakers was the desire to learn more about a new online program assessment tool called the Quality Mentoring Assessment Path, or QMAP. QMAP is presented by the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota (MPM) and based on the latest policies, practices, experience and research for youth mentoring.

During the program, grantmakers were shown a video demonstration of how QMAP works, along with next steps available after an assessment is completed. One of these steps includes a follow-up visit from an MPM staff member to help design an individualized improvement program and provide additional resources.

These steps help answer the big question provoked by undergoing the QMAP assessment: “Based on results, what is the plan for improvement of your mentoring program?”

Why Assessment Is So Important

As powerfully put by Saint Paul Public School Foundation’s Karen Woodward, “Literacy is life or death.”

In today’s competitive age of information and technology, in order for kids to have the best chance at success, tutoring and mentoring have proven time and again to be key components. Involvement in these helps students socially, emotionally, psychologically, as well as academically. The research has shown it, youth can attest to it.

So, why the big push for quality now? Laura LaCroix-Dalluhn from Youth Community Connections explained: “Just bringing kids together and giving them a safe place to study is not enough.” Not all tutoring and mentoring experiences are created equal and can actually do more harm than good if they are not of quality. But different ideas of what constitutes “quality” pose a challenge, which is where the QMAP assessment system comes into play. The initiative to shift the field to more accountable quality using tools such as QMAP is meeting a serious need.

Use of the QMAP system may further inspire both volunteers and grantmakers to invest their support in programs they know are dedicated to a higher quality standard.

Graham Hartley of MIGIZI Communications elaborated on a metaphor Woodward used during the discussion to explain that high quality will have several looks: 

 “It’s a fruit salad of organizations, not a fruit smoothie. Programs participating in the QMAP process do not lose their individual flavor.”

In other words, each program that actively participates in the QMAP process will not lose its uniqueness and become a cookie cutter version of every other program, but rather enhance its way of practice, so that parents and students can depend on its quality.

 Image CC Sam Pac

-McKenzie Mackintosh, MCF Communications Intern

The institute will take the form of a nine-month program open to individuals interested in becoming the next generation of leaders creating and supporting social change locally.

During the nine-month discovery process, participants will work with each other to understand and address social injustice.  The 25 participants will:

1. Learn about social justice,
2. Engage in a group fundraising project, and
3. Give the funds raised  to local social justice causes.

Each participant will leave the program with a thoughtfully crafted framework for supporting and actively engaging with the social justice movement in Minnesota.

According to Headwaters Program Director David Nicholson,

“The Social Justice Leadership Institute is designed to integrate passion and purpose by engaging participants in personal transformation and collective action. It’s an exciting opportunity for a different kind of community learning and personal growth for new leaders in social justice.”

Applications are now being accepted for the fall of 2011.

For more information, contact David Nicholson or Jodi Williams,
612-879-0602.

A public information session will be held Thursday, August 4 at 6 p.m. at Common Roots Cafe, 2558 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis.

- Susan Stehling, MCF

She is a lifelong resident of rural Minnesota who grew up on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, is enrolled with White Earth Band of Ojibwe, and is currently acting deputy director for field operations of Indian Health Service, based in Bemidji, Minn.

Dr. Annette has extensive knowledge and a long-time working relationship with Blandin Foundation. She served as a board member from 1991-2003, and has chaired and participated in the Blandin Foundation American Indian Advisory Committee since 2004. She succeeds Jim Hoolihan, who has served the Foundation as CEO since 2004 and who will return to the private sector Oct. 1.

In announcing the decision, Marian Barcus, chairman of the Foundation’s board, said,

“Kathy has deep appreciation for the mission of this foundation and has been a long-time partner in our work.” Barcus continued, “She will be an excellent guide for the Foundation’s continued journey-contributing to the vitality of the Itasca County area, investing in rural community leaders statewide, and expanding opportunity for rural Minnesota residents through education, economy and inclusion.”

As acting deputy director for field operations of Indian Health Service, Annette has responsibility for supervision and leadership of Area Directors across the United States including 48 hospitals, 238 health clinics serving 1.9 million American Indian patients, and 15,000 federal employees. She will retire from federal service Sept. 1 and join the Foundation immediately.

Look for the complete release at: www.blandinfoundation.org.

The council presented the award at its Annual Forum in Minneapolis on June 21. Every year at the forum, the Community Leadership Award is given to an organization that has demonstrated a significant effort toward advancing the issues of nonprofit accountability and transparency.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation initiative that did not go unnoticed is “Healthy Together: Creating Community with New Americans.”  This project was created to reduce health inequities for immigrants in the U.S. while improving the health and vitality of the community as a whole. For this initiative, the foundation partnered with the Charities Review Council to build the capacity of the project’s grantees.

The collaboration gave the Charities Review Council an opportunity to experience working in immigrant and refugee communities – an area that is becoming increasingly important to their work.

Another positive result of the partnership was the development of the Council’s Accountability Standards, which will be used as a prototype to provide capacity-building services for other funders’ grantees.

The Accountability Standards encompass 27 standards the council encourages organizations to uphold, in order to earn and build public trust in charities and nonprofits – a priority it holds close to heart.

Don’t we all want to know that our donations and efforts are being put to the best use?

These standards set a high bar of accountability that strengthens nonprofits and allows them to continue making a positive difference in their communities.

“We are delighted to recognize the innovative leadership of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation. Consistent with its upstream problem-solving focus, the foundation recognizes the capacity-building value of the council’s new Accountability Standards and how the council’s hands-on, technical assistance to grantees directly contributes to funders’ programming priorities.”

-Rich Cowles, executive director of the Charities Review Council

Congratulations to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation and to the many nonprofits leading by example with high standards of accountability and transparency.

- McKenzie Mackintosh, MCF communications intern

Learn More: Transparency and accountability are values that Minnesota Council on Foundations grantmaker members cherish highly in their own work, not just in the nonprofits they fund. Learn more about how foundations and corporate givers are also committing to, and striving towards transparency and accountability in the way their organizations operate.

“John’s strategic, multi-faceted and outcome-oriented approach to philanthropy exemplifies the work of an engaged philanthropist,” adds Brad Brown, executive director of Social Venture Partners Minnesota (SVP).

For his work, John Larsen will receive the 2011 Engaged Philanthropist Award, a joint effort of Minnesota Community Foundation and SVP Minnesota that recognizes the most innovative and effective engaged philanthropists. The award, launched in 2010 with the late Winston Wallin receiving the inaugural recognition, will be presented at SVP Minnesota’s annual Engaged Philanthropy Conference on June 16, 2011, in Minneapolis.

Larsen is an original funder and a visionary behind Project 515, an organization with a mission to ensure that same sex couples and their families have equal rights and considerations under Minnesota law.  Project 515 has approached the issue of full equality for same sex couples through multiple avenues, including business outreach, education, research, advocacy and media.

Larsen serves as trustee and administrator of the John Larsen Foundation, a member of the Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF). The foundation is a private grantmaking organization with a mission to better the lives of individuals and families, both traditional and non-traditional.  Program priorities derive from the active, passionate involvement of family board members in their own communities. Primary areas of focus are arts and humanities, community enhancement, education, environment, human rights and human services.

Larsen was a six-year member of MCF’s board of directors, is a current member of the strategic planning committee, and a leader of MCF’s LGBT Funders network. Larsen also serves on the board of directors for Project 515 and has volunteered with the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus, Headwaters Foundation for Justice and Together Minnesota. Earlier this year, Larsen was recognized with PFund Foundation’s First Annual Power of Philanthropy Award.

- Chris Murakami Noonan, MCF communications associate