CMF’s Symposium On Diversity & Inclusion Sparks Discussion, Ideas And Hope
by Mike Gallagher for the CMF NewsWire
Posted: 4/20/2009
It began with a question: how do you grow and sustain diversity and inclusive practices within Michigan’s foundation community?
Today, thanks to the joint effort of the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) and the Diversity in Philanthropy Project (DPP), this conversation is underway among 20 Michigan foundations, CMF and DPP and leading national experts on that very question.
The partnership between CMF and DPP grew from a mutual commitment to increasing diversity and inclusive practice within the philanthropic sector and an awareness that by working together each organization would benefit from the others’ unique strengths.
In a successful kick-off to CMF’s five-year initiative, Transforming Michigan Philanthropy Through Diversity and Inclusion (TMP), which seeks to increase the effectiveness and accountability of organized philanthropy in Michigan, CMF and DPP co-sponsored the Symposium on Diversity & Inclusion in Philanthropy: The Michigan Experience held last month at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel in Detroit.
Financial support for TMP comes through grants from the Arcus Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and The Skillman Foundation.
More than 80 foundation trustees and staff, youth grantmakers, philanthropic association executives and experts participated in this three-day event designed to explore how increasing diversity and inclusive practice within Michigan’s philanthropic sector can increase effectiveness and improve social impact and identify opportunities for inspiring and supporting action across the sector in Michigan and across the nation.
“This symposium is one of the most significant and positive efforts I’ve been involved in as it is opening minds, fostering ideas and bringing together leaders from across the field on this critical issue,” said Henry Ramos, DPP’s director and lead consultant and principal of Mauer Kunst Consulting in California.
Preparing for the Symposium
The intensive research work leading up to the symposium is credited in part with its success.
Development of themes, sessions and cutting-edge topics for the event were informed by more than 40 interviews of national leaders and of CEOs, senior staff and trustees of the 20 Michigan foundations that participated in the event.
In addition, the Community Research Institute (CRI) at the Johnson Center at Grand Valley State University completed the first demographic survey of Michigan foundation staff, trustees and youth grantmakers to establish a baseline that will be used to inform CMF’s work going forward. It is one of two such state-based surveys conducted in the U.S. to date. CRI also analyzed internal policies related to diversity and inclusive practice voluntarily provided by participating foundations.
“We grounded the symposium discussions in the real needs and interests of the participants,” said Jessica Bearman, principal at Bearman Consulting and a DPP consultant. “The information and stories that we gathered from this preliminary work served as a catalyst for continued discussion at the symposium on how to build a more diverse and inclusive sector in Michigan, in other regions and nationally.”
Symposium Participants Inspired and Challenged
Participating foundations demonstrated their commitment to the breadth of the diversity/inclusion issue by sending teams to the Symposium, including: trustees, CEOs, program officers and other senior staff from human resources, finance and administration. Those Michigan foundations and organizations attending included the Arcus Foundation, Battle Creek Community Foundation, Comerica Charitable Foundation, The John E. Fetzer Institute, Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, Ethel and James Flinn Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Kalamazoo Community Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, Mackinac Island Community Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Ruth Mott Foundation, Nokomis Foundation, Paine Family Foundation, Saginaw Community Foundation, The Skillman Foundation, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Southfield Community Foundation.
The symposium began with intense, frank and honest dialogue about the need to move the issue past the usual – and some said useless – “talking phase” of past efforts within the national sector. It ended with an engaged call by attendees for the formation of peer learning networks by CMF to support efforts to put action plans into motion.
“It is this unified call for continued and sustained action that I saw at this symposium – and not just more rhetoric – that gives me hope that we will move this important issue forward in the foundation community,” said Paul Doyle, past chair of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.
Tonya Allen, vice president of program at The Skillman Foundation, said what gave her hope for future success “regarding these serious and often-controversial topics of diversity and inclusion” was the group discussions where CEOs, trustees and staff really appeared to be making an effort “to take an inward look at what they are doing and what they are not doing to foster inclusion.”
“What was different from past efforts was the in-depth discussions these foundation teams had in trying to identify our collective assets and really burrowing down to explore their diversity and inclusion practices by role within their own foundations,” noted Allen.
Kimberly Roberson, program officer for the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation was equally excited about the possibilities for success – and the plans for future dialogue and action promoted and led by CMF and DPP. However, her enthusiasm is tempered by experience.
“What everyone must understand…is the idea of creating systemic change in the foundation sector in bringing about more diverse and inclusive practices and opportunities, is really a journey where different people will have different ideas and ways to accomplish it,” noted Roberson. “We are all not the same and we all have different needs, different goals and we will all have to come to terms with what works best for us individually,” she added. “There is no one clear path to making this work. And it will be a long journey for some, but well worth it for those that are determined to achieve positive change.”
The necessity of engaging in this transformative work is what attracted the Ruth Mott Foundation to the symposium, according to Steven M. Wilson, the foundation’s executive director.
“There is a need for change…a need to embrace diversity and inclusion especially in our field,” said Wilson. “Until now there have only been sporadic discussions about it. I’m encouraged that (CMF and DPP) are behind this effort and that they are dedicated to developing tools and resources for the field. That is key to making this work.”
CMF President and CEO Robert S. Collier said, “There is no question that the value of diverse and inclusive practices in the philanthropic sector is one of the most challenging and needed efforts facing foundation leaders today.
“This symposium provided a dynamic, interactive and focused setting to promote this work and included such activities as foundation team planning, mapping collective assets, sharing goals and past frustrations, and presenting resources and next steps to facilitate this important effort,” added Collier.
Highlighting the symposium’s positive impact, lessons learned and discussions on such forward-thinking topics as organizational culture, policies and practices, stakeholder engagement and building staff diversity and cultural competency, Vicki Rosenberg, CMF vice president, education, communications & external relations and co-leader of the new TMP initiative, said: “The symposium was an important early step in a five-year effort created in response to directives from the CMF board and at the request from many of our members who also provided strategic input and financial support.
“The participation of very busy senior foundation leaders in the entire three-day event, the discussion and request to CMF for a variety of tools, services and peer learning opportunities signaled that TMP is the right response at the right time.”
Rosenberg also gave CMF’s thanks to the DPP team, an eight-member Advisory Group of CMF members who helped shape the event, and to the participants “whose active participation, sharing of experiences and aspirations and focus on action helped make the symposium a success.”
Kimberly Burton, CMF vice president, corporate services and director of diversity and inclusive practices and fellow co-leader of the initiative, said she is pleased the symposium provided a forum and opportunity for philanthropic leaders and staff to share new ideas and discuss a unified vision for the future.
“There is a long way to go in finding different ways to achieve our goals of diversity and inclusion,” said Burton. “There is no one quick solution…everyone has their own problems, needs and goals, but together we can share our knowledge and ideas on how to achieve success.”
Diversity & Inclusion “An Emotional Journey”
During various sessions at the symposium, attendees shared their thoughts, beliefs and experiences on past – and future – diversity efforts, both within their own organizations and those of their grantees or other partners. At times, these conversations challenged participants to explore their deeply held beliefs and assumptions.
“What makes this symposium special to me is that individuals are breaking out of their comfort zones and really opening up and talking about how they feel about diversity,” said Carol Goss, president and CEO of The Skillman Foundation.
“It is not always about race; for some being diverse means the inclusion of people that are of a different gender, age, experiences, socio-economic background and so on,” she added. “Sometimes there are very raw emotions that are unearthed when we talk about these kinds of issues. But that’s healthy.” “We might all be part of the same choir, but we may not be singing the same song,” added Goss, noting the multiplicity of areas that diversity and inclusion encompasses. “If we are going to be effective, we need to talk social equity issues and we need to be intentional in including it in all our work. We need to be apostles for change.”
Johnny Lee Jenkins, Jr., Michigan program officer for the Arcus Foundation and a symposium Advisory Group member, agreed. “There are many mixed feelings as we move forward with this effort,” said Jenkins.
“There’s frustration as many of us have been dealing with these issues for years with no success. There’s anger that we as a people can’t seem to make ‘inclusive diversity work,’ especially for the LBGT (lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender) communities. But there’s also hope that with the help of CMF and DPP we can now start on a new path that will engender success, or at least put us on a path to positive change.”
Just being able to share one’s thoughts – and to be able to delve more deeply into the challenges of the issues of those participating – made the symposium a success, according to Dr. Juan R. Olivarez, president and CEO of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation.
“Achieving social equity demands an openness, an ability to take a fresh look at old problems and discover new ways to address them,” said Olivarez. “This symposium provides such an opportunity.”
Lori Villarosa, executive director of the Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity in Washington D.C., also left encouraged, noting, “I am heartened by how deeply people are embracing this (diversity & inclusion) effort and their willingness to explore ways to create positive changes in philanthropy.”
Bill King, president of the Minnesota Council on Foundations, said he drew inspiration from hearing powerful insights from such symposium speakers as Detroit Circuit Judge Linda V. Parker, who until December 2008 served as Director, Michigan Department of Civil Rights. Parker addressed the need for educational and social support programs for youth, many of whom end up before her facing criminal charges.
“Hearing about the need for organizational change from Dr. Lynn Wooten (clinical associate professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business) also educated me to the tipping points and motivating factors one needs to understand if we are to begin to effect positive social changes,” said King.
Participants Eager for Individual and Collective Action
The symposium design provided foundation teams with time to plan for next steps, both individually and collectively.
Although participants agreed that there is much to be done, they reported leaving with motivation, insights, and energy for taking the next steps in growing a diverse and inclusive philanthropy sector in Michigan.
The opportunities for shared reflections, assessments and aspirations of the participants on the many leadership, strategy and action sessions along with “robust” roundtable discussions provided “a motivating spark to really take what we learned and apply it to the work of our organization in various ways,” said Marcia Rapp, vice president of programs for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.
And W.K. Kellogg Foundation President Sterling Speirn said “…this symposium is a call for action and we must answer that call with bold energy and a commitment to change if we as a sector are to truly help bring about a new, accepting and diverse culture for our communities.”
Sharing his insights – and listening to other foundation CEOs and trustees – during one symposium session “provided a catalyst for more far-reaching thought on a variety of issues and topics related to diversity that we, with CMF’s help, need to pursue and develop in future conversations,” Speirn added.
For foundation executives new to the work of building diversity and inclusion, the symposium provided particular inspiration.
The symposium “truly opened my eyes to ideas and thoughts that I had never focused on in such a wide-ranging and contemplative way before,” said Douglas Bitonti Stewart, executive director of the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation. “It is making me reflect on and really break down and answer some new and sometimes troubling questions not only about organizational issues, but my own deeply held beliefs as well and how decisions I make are based on those beliefs and presumptions that I have only been able to look at from my white male perspective,” explained Stewart.
Caroline Chambers, president of Comerica Charitable Foundation, said that she left the symposium determined to undertake a review of her organization’s internal policies as they relate to operations and grantmaking and looking for opportunities to increase diversity.
“This may be a good starting place for all of us (in the foundation sector),” noted Chambers.
Youth grantmaker Brian Lewis, Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) member with the Southfield Community Foundation, advised giving young philanthropists a more prominent and involved role in decisions.
“Being diverse means being accepting of the younger generation and allowing us to become more fully a part of the decision-making process within the foundation,” said Lewis. “Listen to our ideas; give us more responsibility and we’ll surprise you. We are up to the challenge!”
To continue the work launched at the symposium, many attendees called for a diversity and inclusion session at CMF’s 37th Annual Conference to be held in partnership with Independent Sector Nov. 4-6 at the Marriott Renaissance Center in Detroit.
“This is important work and discussions that must be carried forward and the CMF annual conference would provide a great opportunity to get everyone together again to continue this dialogue,” said Wesley H. Maurer Jr., trustee of the Mackinac Island Community Foundation and a CMF board member.
“The symposium really made me think about this issue in different ways,” added Maurer. “While the relevance of diversity and inclusion regarding recruiting staff and board members at a small, northern Michigan foundation such as ours is important, we must also recognize that there is diversity of thought and other types that we need to think about. It isn’t just about people. It covers a spectrum of issues and activities we need to focus upon.”
For more information on the Transforming Michigan Philanthropy initiative or for documents about the Symposium, visit www.michiganfoundations.org/tmp. For more information about the Diversity in Philanthropy Project, go to www.diversityinphilanthropy.org.