Support the development of relationships built on trust.
Build social capital. In conjunction with neighborhood-based organizations, three North Carolina community foundations,
Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro,
The Winston-Salem Foundation and
Foundation for the Carolinas, created local civic engagement projects. The resulting discussions on justice and equity cultivated the civic soil.
Crossroads Charlotte, managed by the Community Building Initiative, examine possible futures described in four scenarios, as residents deal with issues of access, equity, inclusion and trust in the social, political, economic and cultural life of the community over the next 10 years, and to provide opportunity for organizations, institutions and individuals to take action.
Build on the shared experiences of people facing challenging circumstances. The
African Americangiving circles affiliating with the
Community Investment Network encourage their giving circle members to get to know each other and draw on their own experiences to frame their interests in “giving back.”
The Community Foundation of South Wood County (Wisconsin) is a primary partner of an advanced leadership institute drawing highly diverse segments of the community. Members meet over several months to gain new perspectives and form relationships. In a rural community threatened by global economic forces, they make forward movement possible. For more examples and ideas, see the article,
“
Relationships as Infrastructure in Southern African American Communities,”
by Betty Emarita, available in Resources.
Strengthen the leadership and organizational skills needed to interact more broadly in the community.
Help emerging leaders develop skills to interact with a broader section of stakeholders.AJAMM, a ministry for African American women ministers, makes leadership development central. The women influence change both inside and outside church walls, becoming models through which social change can happen.
The Arkansas Public Policy Panel, the
South Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations and groups supported by
New World Foundation developed strong community organizing processes
.
Southern Partners Fund focused on the realities of life in poor and disenfranchised communities. Their democratic philanthropy – member organizations of the Fund have equal voice in decision-making – addresses inequities in the South.
Help continue and upgrade the quality of human resources in this sector, especially for the long-term. One focus of
Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy is to help the field face the twin challenges of building a strong career pipeline that continually refuels the field’s talent, and ensuring healthy inter-generational transfer of leadership in broader civil society. The
Initiative For Nonprofit Sector Careers , a project of American Humanics, is a national campaign to recruit, prepare, and retain a skilled and diverse next-generation of nonprofit sector leadership.
Resource Generation is a national organization that works with young people with financial wealth who are supporting and challenging each other to effect progressive social change through the creative, responsible and strategic use of financial and other resources.
The New World Foundation supports sabbaticals and leadership transitions for community organizers. The
Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation supports sabbaticals for nonprofit leaders for personal renewal and growth.
Support the unique interests of a variety of racial, ethnic and cultural groups.The National Center for Black Philanthropy is to promote giving and volunteerism among African Americans, foster full participation by African Americans in all aspects of philanthropy, educate the public about the contributions of Black philanthropy, strengthen people and institutions engaged in Black philanthropy, and research the benefits of Black philanthropy to all Americans.
Association of Black Foundation Executivespromotes effective and responsive philanthropy in Black communities.
Hispanics in Philanthropy strengthens Latino communities by increasing resources for the Latino and Latin American civil sector and by increasing Latino participation and leadership in philanthropy.
Native Americans in Philanthropy seeks to engage Native and non-Native peoples in understanding and advancing the role of philanthropy through practices that support traditional Native values.
Strengthen leadership that promotes solutions and bridges divides.
Convene different groups working on similar issues to spread innovation to other geographical areas, to advance solutions that can close equity gaps and to enhance professional development.
The National Rural Funders Collaborative supports “learning communities,” helping participants from different settings identify common elements of strategy.
MDC, Inc. annually brings together the highly diverse participants of the
Ford Foundation’s Community Philanthropy and Racial Equity project for the same purposes.
Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy builds networks of emerging and experienced colleagues by creating local chapters in communities across the U.S. and the world.
Appalachian Ohio Regional Investment Coalition formed a regional network for advancing rural development policy.
In rural areas, strengthen networks to enable development.
National Rural Funders Collaborative is a collaborative philanthropic initiative organized to expand resources for families and communities in regions of persistent poverty, especially areas where concentrations of poverty and communities of color overlap
The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation , a regional foundation focusing on rural development, supports networks of people working to advance economic and social justice.
Faith Partnerships, Inc, a network of African American churches largely in North Carolina, facilitates partnerships across denominational, county and international lines. This work brings them to partnerships with majority networks of banking entities and political bodies. The
South Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations is expanding the Community Development Corporations movement by raising leaders’ motivation, commitment, spiritual connection and energy. Participants gain confidence to interact with county boards of supervisors, banks and the state legislature. The
Heifer Foundation, an international body, connects donors with local interests to similar developments around the world, greatly increasing their worldview. NRFC is a collaborative philanthropic initiative organized to expand resources for families and communities in regions of persistent poverty, especially areas where concentrations of poverty and communities of color overlap.
