Project Updates
Building Commitment and Momentum
In 2007, the Diversity in Philanthropy Project (DPP) began a three-year campaign to spark energy and action around one of philanthropy’s great imperatives: to bolster foundation diversity, inclusive practice, and attention to social equity in our composition, operations, and community interactions.
The DPP brought together an unprecedented array of leaders committed to supporting diversity and inclusion in our profession and society. The work focused on three areas: promoting voluntary diversity and inclusion initiatives; advocating for a national system of data collection, analysis, and accountability; and supporting the advancement, organization, and distribution of knowledge resources.
It wasn’t hard to draw attention to the cause. Diversity, inclusiveness, and equity remain hot-button issues today, widely debated in our field and nation. The election of the first African American to serve as President of the United States affirmed our country’s progress on diversity issues while also highlighting racial divides and disparities that persist. Efforts by the Greenlining Institute and subsequent legislative scrutiny of foundations’ performance on diversity and inclusion gave these issues new political urgency—driving many leaders in the field to pursue voluntary, non-legislative diversity initiatives and others to fight what they saw as an infringement of their philanthropic freedoms (and some to do both). An economy in downturn galvanized discussion about how our field can equitably and fairly maintain its relevance, effectiveness, and impact with fewer resources. Meanwhile, the demographic revolution showed no signs of slowing down, across the nation and globe.
All these circumstances both inspired and challenged us to move diversity, inclusion, and equity issues to the top of philanthropy's national agenda. To do that, DPP served many roles—convener, researcher, communicator, facilitator of field collaborations, and supporter of efforts by individual funders and infrastructure groups. Our campaign stood on the shoulders of giants—the many organizations, particularly affinity groups of grant makers that have been advocating for increased diversity, inclusion, and equity for decades.
Now that the Diversity in Philanthropy Project has completed its three-year campaign, it is time to step back to reflect on this effort and to think critically about what worked and what did not. We invite you to download The Diversity in Philanthropy Project Final Report and watch our Project Review video. Where did we make a difference? Where did we fall short of expectations? And what are the implications for future diversity efforts?
One of those efforts is a bold new initiative of foundations and infrastructure groups that may be the most promising outcome of DPP’s work—a five-year follow on initiative led by the Council on Foundations, The Foundation Center, various regional associations of grant makers, members of the Joint Affinity Groups, and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors on behalf of diversity-focused funds across the nation.
Let us know what you think we accomplished through the DPP, and join us as we continue our exciting next phase of the work.
Sincerely,
Stephen B. Heintz, President and CEO, Rockefeller Brothers Fund
Robert K, Ross, MD, President and CEO, The California Endowment
Sterling K. Speirn, President and CEO, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Co-Chairs, Diversity in Philanthropy Project Advisory Board
Read previous DPP Briefings