New Publication Helps Grantmakers Build Diverse, Inclusive Organizations

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (July 24, 2001) With the latest census data showing an increasingly diverse Minnesota population, a new publication from the Minnesota Council on Foundations aims to help grantmakers address diversity issues in their work. "Building on a Better Foundation: A Toolkit for Creating an Inclusive Grantmaking Organization" offers straightforward guidance to help funders practice diversity both within their organizations and in their grantmaking.

The toolkit is based on a diversity framework developed by the Council, offering assistance on how grantmakers can address inclusivity in their roles as funders, employers, businesses and community citizens. For each role the toolkit offers questions for discussion, action steps and examples of how grantmakers have succeeded in addressing diversity issues in that role -- many of the examples highlight Minnesota funders. In addition, the toolkit includes a resource section with contact information, books and articles.

"The toolkit is one example of how the Minnesota Council on Foundations is working to meet its strategic goal to 'create a climate of inclusivity in philanthropy,'" said Council President Bill King. "Diversity issues have been part of our strategic priorities since 1991. We strive to offer our members practical, meaningful resources that can help them address diversity issues in ways that are appropriate for their organization."

The Council developed the toolkit in collaboration with three other regional associations of grantmakers -- Donors Forum of Chicago, New York Regional Association of Grantmakers and Northern California Grantmakers. Funding for the toolkit came from the four associations along with major financial support from three Council members -- Otto Bremer Foundation, The St. Paul Companies, Inc. and The Saint Paul Foundation -- and the Sara Lee Foundation.

The Council and its colleague organizations developed the Toolkit using the following assumptions:

• People of color and women are underrepresented in the philanthropic field. A report by the national Council on Foundations (COF) found that people of color and women represented just 10.1 percent and 33.5 percent respectively of the boards of trustees of grantmaking organizations in 1999. And, according to 1998 COF data, people of color occupied only 17.8 percent of managerial positions and were less than 6 percent of foundation CEOs.
     
• An inclusive grantmaking organization is more effective and successful. Among other things, an organization that better reflects current demographics of its community has a wider range of social and cultural viewpoints to inform its funding process.
     
• Diversity and inclusion at a grantmaking organization is broader than race and ethnicity and can include, depending on the demographics of its particular community, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, philosophy and viewpoint, as well as class background.

"Building on a Better Foundation: A Toolkit for Creating an Inclusive Grantmaking Organization" can be downloaded free of charge (in PDF format) from Council's Web site at www.mcf.org (select "MCF Resources" then "Diversity Resources").

Founded in 1969, the Minnesota Council on Foundations is a regional membership association of grantmakers working to improve the vitality and health of our communities. The Council's broad and diverse membership includes private foundations, community and other public foundations, and corporate foundations and giving programs. The Council's mission is to strengthen and to increase participation in philanthropy.

CONTACT: David Biemesderfer, director of communications and external relations, 612/335-3597, dbiemesderfer@mcf.org.

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