Principles for Minnesota Grantmakers
The desire to give is a defining human characteristic. As members of the
Minnesota Council on Foundations, we honor diverse charitable expressions
across the wide economic, racial, ethnic and social spectrum. We celebrate
new and traditional forms of giving that respond to human needs, build
community, increase knowledge and promote creative expression. We
acknowledge the fundamental roles and responsibilities of engaged
individuals and the public, private and nonprofit sectors in a just and
equitable society.
As a community of grantmakers, we embrace philanthropy’s role in a civil
society. We are leading advocates for public policy to sustain robust
philanthropy. We work strategically through grantmaking and other means to
improve the vitality and health of our communities, to educate our members
and the field, and to achieve our collective mission of strengthening and
expanding philanthropy. We express a shared commitment to excellence by
formally subscribing to the following Principles for Grantmakers:
| 1.
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To sustain
public trust by adhering to the highest ethical principles and
practices and abiding by all state and federal laws that govern
philanthropy. |
| 2. |
To achieve
effective governance by ensuring performance in the areas of
stewardship of assets, donor intent, fiduciary responsibility and
sound decision-making. |
| 3. |
To be
purposeful in our philanthropy by having a clearly stated mission
and explicit goals. |
| 4. |
To foster
continuous learning and reflection by engaging board members, staff,
grantees and donors in thoughtful dialogue and education. |
| 5. |
To build
constructive relationships with applicants, grantees and donors by
ensuring mutual respect, candor, confidentiality and understanding. |
| 6. |
To achieve
transparency in our relationships with the public, applicants,
grantees and donors by being clear, consistent and timely in our
communications with them. |
| 7. |
To reflect
and engage the diversity of the communities we serve in our varying
roles as grantmakers, boards and employers, economic entities and
civic participants. |
| 8. |
To uphold
the highest standards by regularly assessing ourselves against these
principles and committing to implement them. |
Originally adopted by the MCF Board of Directors in 1996; revised and
adopted December 2006.
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About the New Principles
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MCF developed these new Principles
for Grantmakers in
2006. When will
they become effective?
Over the past year and a half, an MCF task force has been
revisiting the MCF Principles for Grantmakers and the accompanying Practice
Options for Philanthropic Organizations, which were originally adopted in
1996. After exceptional work, the task force recommended revisions to the
MCF Principles and Practices, and the MCF Board of Directors adopted these
versions on Dec. 12, 2006.
As
previously, subscribing to the Principles for Grantmakers will be a
condition of MCF membership. The 1996 version of the Principles will be the
principles to which MCF members subscribe through the rest of 2007.
We will
publish the new Principles & Practices in a booklet that will be mailed to
all member grantmakers at the beginning of the second quarter of 2007. As
member renewal dates arise after that, members will have the option of
either subscribing to the original 1996 version or the new 2006 Principles
for Minnesota Grantmakers. Beginning in October 2007 when we start our 2008
renewal process, all MCF members will be required to subscribe to the new
principles as a condition of membership.
In the
first year of adopting the new principles, the board of the member
organization should subscribe to them; in subsequent years, the board or the
chief paid staff can subscribe on behalf of the organization (it is highly
recommended that boards have the Principles for Grantmakers on their agendas
at least once a year).
The
Principles and Practices work is an essential part of MCF's commitment to
public trust and accountability. Again, the Principles, Practice Options and
a sample resolution to seek board approval of the new Principles will be
mailed in late Spring. The 1996 version of the Principles will be the list of
Principles to which MCF members subscribe through the rest of 2007. We will
publish the new Principles & Practices in a booklet that will be mailed to
all member grantmakers at the beginning of the second quarter of 2007.
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