About
The Karen Aldridge-Eason Innovations for Equity Philanthropy Award was newly launched in 2023 to honor the work of CMF members engaged in shifting narratives, broadening relationships, addressing power, expanding access and/or opportunity through philanthropic practice, examining policy or people-focused strategies, and other forms of equity-centered philanthropy. This award celebrates the unique and outstanding efforts of Michigan philanthropy to advance equitable outcomes for Michigan. The nominees will have demonstrated significant, bold action to create positive change, remove barriers and address structural inequity within their local context or for the philanthropic field at large. Examples include, but are not limited to innovative public-private partnerships, reimagined grantmaking strategies, exceptional community engagement and leadership in critical policy change. Again, please note that these are just examples and the award seeks new ways of thinking and innovative action. Actions may look different based on a foundation’s region, size, mission, stakeholder needs and more. Recognizing that deep and lasting change takes time, this award recognizes effort, not necessarily demonstrated outcomes. The nominee can be an individual or team of people and must include - but is not limited to - CMF member staff and/or trustees. Implementation of the leading-edge approach or effort must have started or primarily occurred during the last year (May 2023 – May 2024). Reviewers may determine that more than one honoree receives this award annually, recognizing the unique context of innovative efforts across the CMF membership.
We are grateful to representatives from MNA and the CMF Community Foundation Committee, who served as peer reviewers for the Karen Aldridge-Eason Innovations for Equity Award submissions and led the selection of the winners.
2024 Award Winner
Karen Aldridge-Eason
After 21 years as the Foundation Liaison for the Governor’s Office of Foundation Liaison (OFL), Karen Aldridge-Eason recently graduated from her role. Karen is our 2024 Innovations for Equity Philanthropy Award honoree!
This award was newly launched in 2023 to honor the work of CMF members engaged in shifting narratives, broadening relationships, addressing power, expanding access and/or opportunity through philanthropic practice, examining policy or people-focused strategies, and other forms of equity-centered philanthropy. Karen is an early leader and trailblazer in leading racial equity work and grantmaking. Over her career, Karen created and made possible explicit racial equity portfolios, exposing and addressing deep-seated racial inequities in her local community.
Karen has demonstrated a lifetime and career focus on racial equity, empowerment for marginalized communities, and broader issues of economic and gender equity for all. Throughout her tenure, she has elevated the voices of others who do not have a seat at the table. She addresses policy and partnerships through a lens of empathy and understanding of the most vulnerable. One recent example is the partnership between CMF and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources that Karen and her team brokered. This groundbreaking partnership ensures equitable access to American Rescue Plan Act dollars for indoor and outdoor recreation funding for communities that have been under-resourced and underserved.
As of October 2024, this award is now named in Karen's honor: The Karen Aldridge-Eason Innovations for Equity Philanthropy Award honoree!
All previous Recipients
2023: Jennifer Heymoss, Beth Berglin, Ebony Hemphill, Emily Olivares and Stacey Ledbetter