"Working Towards Diversity III" reports incremental improvements in applying strategies for inclusiveness among Minnesota grantmakers. It is the third five-year benchmark report on diversity, following two earlier diversity surveys of Council members on the same topic reported in 1995 and 2000.

The current survey shows that the discourse on diversity and inclusiveness practices within the Minnesota philanthropic community has been elevated to a higher level. More foundations and corporate giving programs have formal, written statements on diversity and inclusiveness than five years ago and the impetus for change is coming from the foundations’ most senior-level policymakers.

As a result of the first diversity survey in 1995, the Council, with guidance from the Race and Diversity Task Force, developed a Diversity Framework to guide grantmakers in discussing diversity issues. It continues to frame the discussion of diversity and inclusive practices around four roles that grantmaking organizations should play in a civil society:

• Grantmakers as funders

• Grantmakers as employers

• Grantmakers as economic entities

• Grantmakers as community citizens