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Winter 2007
Partnerships Bring Innovative Approaches to Social Change
by Jorge Saavedra
Injustice is no accident. It's continually taking new forms in a world of explosive demographic and cultural change and the increasing concentration of economic and political power. Change and disparity breed injustice. Unfortunately, neither is in short supply. Simultaneously, communities are mobilizing, inspiring movements for social change that are authentic, deliberate and sustained. Our challenge is to focus limited resources on innovative approaches to social change that will have a transformational impact.
For 22 years, Headwaters Foundation for Justice has been taking a considered look at the social and political systems that marginalize individuals and communities and provide strategic support to community groups working for change. In this effort, Headwaters has not acted alone; it was built upon and remains an organization of activists and donors coming together with purpose. It's movement-building at its most basic by recognizing intersections and strengthening connections, such as in 1986, when Headwaters awarded the now-influential Minnesota AIDS Project its inaugural grant, and in 1994, when Headwaters provided startup funds to the Green Institute, which has since become an international leader in environmental innovation.
As these and other Headwaters grantees show, the biggest beneficiaries of this collaboration are emerging and community-based organizations, those groups on the ground working toward solutions before many are aware problems exist. Regardless of their potential long-term value, however, these groups often struggle to acquire funding because they lack sufficient size, structure and longevity to compete for resources.
Recognizing and attempting to mitigate those challenges, a handful of years ago Headwaters initiated innovative funding partnerships in the philanthropy community. Headwaters launched the Environmental Justice Fund as a collaborative project with the Bush Foundation. The Democracy! Fund was created through a partnership with The Minneapolis Foundation, Otto Bremer Foundation and the Minnesota Women's Foundation. And just last month, Headwaters and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits announced a five-part training session to build the media capacity of small groups.
Through these collaborations, Minnesota now has a larger and more stable pool of accessible resources; emerging organizations are networking and sharing learning with well-established players. Major philanthropy and nonprofit organizations have a more direct connection to community activism and play a more substantive role in movement-building on the grassroots level.
As 2007 opens with my new role as Headwaters' executive director, this is a partnership model that promises even greater effect as we collectively meet the challenges of a new century. It's an honor to join Headwaters and a vibrant philanthropy community.
Social change doesn't happen in isolation or through disparate struggle. I look forward to working together to secure our better future.
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Jorge Saavedra is executive director of Minneapolis-based Headwaters Foundation for Justice. |
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Winter 2007 Edition of Giving Forum
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Thank you to the sponsor of this issue of Giving Forum:
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The Minneapolis Foundation
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© Copyright 2007 Minnesota Council on
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