DPP Resources
Research and Data Collection Symposium Synopsis
As champions of the importance of data collection and analysis, our Diversity Data and Research working group has held a number of convenings about diversity and inclusiveness. In partnership with DPP, The Foundation Center convened approximately 50 field stakeholders and experts, including social science researchers who have been involved in diversity-related studies, grant makers who have helped to move the field’s state of knowledge forward on these issues and representatives of philanthropic infrastructure organizations that serve as key knowledge centers for the field. This important convening resulted in further consensus building about the best ways for philanthropy leaders to advance strategic efforts to develop voluntary diversity data standards in the field. A summary of meeting participants’ exchange is available here.
National Civic Review: Philanthropy and Diversity: New Voices, New Visions
DPP, in partnership with the National Civic League and Carnegie Corporation of New York, produced a special issue released at the end of October 2009 with editorial direction from former John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation program executive Scott Nielsen of Chicago and former JEHT Foundation program executive Helena Huang. This comprehensive overview of emerging thinking and trends on diversity issues, particularly as they impact on philanthropic and nonprofit institutions, includes contributions from leading foundation CEOs, philanthropy network executives, emerging nonprofit leaders and independent sector scholars. Order this publication by visiting the NCL site.
Benchmarking Diversity: A First Look at New York City Foundations and Nonprofits, from Philanthropy New York and The Foundation Center, chronicles for the first time ever diversity performance on both the giving and receiving sides of the philanthropic equation in New York.
Diversity in Action: Strategies with Impact features lessons learned about what works to promote diversity, inclusion and equity according to a selection of leading foundation practitioners, from Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and the Council on Foundations.
The Economic Downturn and LGBTQ Grantmaking: A Special Report, just released by Funders for LGBTQ Issues, provides a current look at the failing economy’s downside impacts on LGBTQ donors and nonprofits.
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 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.
Institutionalizing Diversity: Diversity in Philanthropy Project Working Assumptions
As DPP approaches the final phase of our work, it is important that we articulate a set of agreed-upon, working assumptions that have emerged thus far. As we move forward, these and related assumptions will inform the strategies, recommended research, and tools we are developing to extend and embed this work across the sector. Read the assumptions and share feedback.
Strengthening Foundations, Deepening Diversity: Kellogg’s CEO Focus Group Report Summary
Read the Kellogg Foundation report that describes the launch of a Chief Executive Officer Focus Group model for involving philanthropic leadership in collaborative regional efforts to explore and deepen understanding of what works to institutionalize diversity successfully and the key roles executives play in the process. DPP collaborated with the Council on Foundations and Women & Philanthropy to facilitate the first two Kellogg-sponsored events in Chicago and Michigan, and is in conversation with other regional associations around the country to develop and refine the model. Read the report.
Foundation Diversity Policies and Practices Toolkit
This new toolkit, produced by The California Endowment, shows the breadth of diversity as it is addressed throughout many aspects of grantmaking. The toolkit offers a sampling of the statements, forms and templates currently employed by leading foundations, for the purpose of helping other interested funders to advance their own inclusion efforts. This informative resource has been organized into five distinct categories for addressing diversity in philanthropy: (1) policy statement, (2) governance and workforce, (3) grantmaking, (4) contracting with vendors and consultants, and (5) investments.
DPP and Council of Michigan Foundations Knowledge Symposium
March 2-4, 2009 DPP partnered with the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) to co-host a Knowledge Symposium and launch CMF’s five-year Transforming Michigan Philanthropy Through Diversity & Inclusion initiative that seeks to increase the effectiveness and accountability of organized philanthropy in Michigan. As a result of the Symposium, CMF, working with a diverse group of 20 member foundations, has committed to a number of creative next steps, including the launch of a Peer Learning Community.
Visit the CMF Web site to review the Symposium program, see photographs and video footage from the event, and read several studies that explore the current status of Michigan philanthropy's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Read the information Landscape Scan of Diveristy and Inclusion in Michigan Foundations here.
Read the CMF Newswire coverage of the event here.
DPP and Race and Equity in Philanthropy Group (REPG)
DPP and REPG commissioned a study to reflect on the learning from the experiences of REPG members regarding what it takes to effectively incorporate racial equity into foundation priorities and systems and how these efforts are critical to other aspects of diversity and philanthropy in general. The results of that work, Lessons Learned in Addressing Racial Equity in Foundations, is available here.
Diversity and the Impact of Giving Circles
The Impact of Giving Together, a new study from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, and the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, provides important new insights into giving circles — through which individuals pool their money and decide collectively how to distribute it — with implications for diversity. Researchers Dr. Angela Eikenberry and Jessica Bearman found that giving circle donors are more likely to give to organizations that serve women and girls, ethnic and minority groups, or to groups that promote arts, culture or ethnic awareness. Giving circle donors also more frequently take into consideration cultural differences, race, class and gender when making funding decisions.
Links to Helpful Resources
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Case Studies
On leading philanthropic institutions in various areas of foundation grantmaking and governance.