posted on: Wednesday, June 08, 2011

by Aaron Dorfman

I am pleased to announce that more than 60 leading grantmakers from across the country have signed on to a new initiative called “Philanthropy’s Promise.” 

Through this initiative, NCRP is recognizing foundations and other grantmaking organizations that seek to maximize the effectiveness of their limited grant dollars and generate the greatest impact in their communities. 

These grantmakers have voluntarily committed to allocate at least 50 percent of their grant dollars to address the unique needs of the poor, elderly, disabled and other underserved populations, and at least 25 percent towards supporting advocacy, community organizing and civic engagement to address the root causes of social problems. 

Check out this video about Philanthropy’s Promise.



(Click here if you can't see the embedded video.) 

A complete list of grantmakers that have signed on is available at www.philanthropyspromise.org, along with copies of their public statements.

As you’ll see, they include big and small foundations, private foundations, family foundations, corporate foundations, community foundations and other grantmaking public charities.

Here are highlights from public statements submitted by a number of grantmakers that already have signed on: 

“We believe that meeting the challenges of these times requires that we take the kinds of risks that are the illustrious legacy of the Ford Foundation. It also requires that we advance programs and initiatives that have the potential to be transformative, even when the approaches are new. After all, risk and challenge are more than just the privilege of philanthropy—they are its responsibility. We are proud of Philanthropy’s Promise ...” 

- Ford Foundation, Luis Ubiñas, President

"With limited resources, McKnight’s programs seek to provide support where we believe we can have the greatest impact. In many cases, this requires that we attend to underserved communities. ... Additionally, McKnight’s board has long recognized the power of pursuing lasting, systemic change through advocacy, community organizing, and civic engagement." 

- The McKnight Foundation, Kate Woldford, President 

“Although General Mills does not categorize its work in NCRP’s terms, General Mills devotes substantially all of its grants to nourishing communities through hunger and nutrition wellness and educational support, particularly in underserved communities, and expects to continue to do so. ... To create change that is deeply rooted and sustainable, General Mills’ work is based in the following values: integrity, leadership, innovation, diversity and impact.” 

- The General Mills Foundation, Ellen Goldberg Luger, Executive Director

“We encourage every grantmaker to actively consider how their individual mission statements and grantmaking priorities may enable them to participate in this challenge or, at the least, fully understand and reflect on the constraints that prevent them from doing so.” 

- Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Emmett D. Carson, President and CEO 

Here are some additional quick links:

• Press release
• About Philanthropy’s Promise
• Philanthropy’s Promise in a nutshell (one-page PDF)
• Frequently asked questions
• Complete list of grantmakers that have signed on

We need your help in getting more grantmakers to voluntarily sign on to Philanthropy’s Promise! It’s quick and easy – here are some ideas on how you can be part of our efforts: 

 

Don't forget, we're using the hashtag #highimpactphil for tweets about Philanthropy's Promise.

We always look forward to hearing from you. You can share your thoughts about Philanthropy’s Promise in comments below.

Aaron Dorfman is executive director of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP).