Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, issued his annual call to action in a public letter this month. It’s titled, “The Coming of Hope: a vision for philanthropy in the new year.”
In it, Darren is unafraid to point out flaws in our social, financial, and political system, and similar shortcomings in the philanthropic sector. I’ve never met Darren personally, but from my vantage point, I would describe his tenor as both humble and inflated, introspective, and conjuring. He acknowledges the crazy times we live in today.
To move forward, we must have engaged citizens, effective governments, and capitalists who promote shared prosperity.
Approximately half my career has been spent in the non-profit sector (which I never imagined!). It has been a relentless effort to coordinate government, philanthropy and corporations to lean in the same direction for integrated investment and policies that create great places and generate wealth and power for marginalized populations. If that sounds like swimming upstream, you got that right! So, let me add a couple of additional points to Darren’s passionate declaration.
More foundations can invest in themselves to be thought-leaders, not just grantors. Darren points out that long-term general support for non-profits is critical if we want to see more results on the front lines of social justice. I couldn’t agree more.
In addition, some foundations could use more of their money to add to their own capacity so they can act more as conveners and change-agents. Local foundations can assume these roles to help drive innovation and systemic shifts in their markets. This includes community foundations who can do more to educate donors and expand granting strategies.
Darren points out that “good work requires good government.” Foundations shouldn’t be afraid to invest in local government to spur innovation and reform.
I see even more hesitation when foundations are approached with challenges that need to be solved with the private sector as a partner.
We should contemplate more about how foundations can help profit motivated corporations and individuals adapt their investment strategies so products and services are more accessible and shared.
Government subsidies for affordable housing, social services, and small minority-owned businesses are often on the chopping block. Enhanced investment strategies from Foundations could help developers and venture capitalists take on more risk and broaden their portfolios. Perhaps Opportunity Zones might spur some potential new approaches for philanthropy and the private sector to collaborate.
In his letter, Mr. Walker uses a quote from Maya Angelou as inspiration. Therefore, I will close with another of her messages that captures my own 2019 call to action:
Written by me, Stephen Samuels
