Reimagining and Redefining Community Philanthropy

For the last several years, Grand Rapids Community Foundation has focused on changing broken systems that perpetuate the racial inequities that unarguably exist in philanthropy. We acknowledge our role in upholding these norms, and for that we sincerely apologize. While we can’t undo the past, we are striving to get to a reparative place by working with communities of color. Together, we are reimagining and redefining the meaning of community philanthropy—what it represents, who identifies with it and how it impacts people’s lives.

As we evolve as an organization, we are grateful for the many donor, nonprofit and community partners who hold us accountable and walk alongside us on this journey to reconciliation.

Last winter, we shared news that W.K. Kellogg Foundation selected the Community Foundation to participate in its Catalyzing Community Giving program. Through the three-year grant partnership, we joined a cohort of community foundations, nonprofits and emerging networks across North America, all working to collaborate with communities of color.

We are excited to partner with community in this manner, and we seek to permanently invest staff and other resources now and in the future. Our path forward is to embrace and support community in being agents of their own change.

Jonse Young, director of philanthropic services

In the first year of partnership, the Community Foundation focused on effectively engaging our African American Heritage Fund and Latinx Advisory committees. The relationship between the institution of philanthropy and Black and Latinx communities has been historically complex. That’s why we took special care to approach this engagement in ways that honor Black and Latinx community experiences and their longstanding history of giving and self- determination.

The heart of the CCG work is co-creation and collaboration, which truly takes time. I am so inspired by the commitment our volunteer partners have given to see this work through. The valleys and peaks have been tremendous, and we will never stop learning and adapting. The end result will undoubtedly be beautiful and reflective of the richness of our community.

Jenine Torres, development officer

The Community Foundation engaged Brigham Consulting to work with our African American Heritage Fund and Latinx Advisory committees to redefine and reimagine their work.

For more than 14 years, the AAHF has made grants to support initiatives that provide education and job opportunities for Black youth. Recently it has focused on expanding the fund’s success by planning for the future.

Kenneth James, donor partner and AAHF Committee chair

We are at a crucial point because we can build upon our legacy, expand on our successes and take advantage of our opportunities to make it even stronger. We are launching the fund into the future so that it will be around for generations to come.

Kenneth James, donor partner and AAHF Committee chair

The Community Foundation heard loud and clear that the Latinx community was eager to see themselves reflected in local philanthropy. While there are many examples of Latinx philanthropy across the country, our Latinx Advisory Committee was created to build a new platform that will respond to unique needs in West Michigan. Since its inception, the committee has been on a journey of research and discovery, exploring the possibility for defining what philanthropy means to them.

“I am looking forward to two to three decades from now, when people will look at this year as the beginning of a different way of doing philanthropy,” says Carlos Sanchez, Community Foundation trustee and Latinx Advisory Committee chair.

It is important to note that CCG is only one way that the Community Foundation is working to redefine and strengthen relationships with communities of color. We are also working to aggressively shift our resource allocation, above and beyond grantmaking, to prioritize the work of organizations led by and serving communities of color. We are working diligently to educate our Donor Advisors. We encourage them to join us in supporting organizations and projects that actively support racial, social and economic justice.

Carlos Sanchez, Community Foundation trustee and Latinx Advisory Committee chair

“Reimagining and charting new paths is messy,” says Carlos. “I am extremely proud that the Community Foundation has said, ‘Let’s do this!’ The proof will be in how we operationalize this. We may not be able to disrupt in one day, but we will gradually get there.”

Next steps include reevaluating staffing structures to support these community-led funds, more relationship building, convening and, ultimately, fundraising and grantmaking.