Race, gender, sexual orientation – these are just a few of the traits that define an individual. The specific combination of these traits is what determines the communities to which he or she is connected, and also the types of discrimination that an individual may encounter.
After extensive research, some disheartening, but enlightening information has been discovered. According to the State of the Work Report published by D5 (a coalition to advance philanthropy’s diversity, equity and inclusion) the following statistics were noted:
* The gap in median income between white and Hispanic households was worse in 2012 than in 1972.
* People of color are 79 percent more likely than whites to live in neighborhoods where industrial pollution is suspected of causing health problems.
* Women are 51 percent of the U.S. workforce, but only 5 percent are Fortune 500 CEOs.
* The power of the LGBT community in national elections continues to rise. One million more voters identified as LGBT in 2012 than in 2008.
These statistics suggest that diversity, equity and inclusion are major areas of focus for the philanthropic sector. But before we can properly determine how to address these statistics, we must first understand the definitions of diversity, equity and inclusion. The State of the Work Report defines these terms as:
* Diversity – Groups of people who bring distinctive perspectives and/or life experiences to the decision-making table with a primary focus on racial and ethnic minorities, LGBT population, people with disabilities and women.
* Equity – Promotion of impartiality and fairness within procedures of institutions or systems as well as the distribution of resources.
* Inclusion – The degree to which individuals with diverse perspectives and background are able to participate fully in the decision-making process of an organization or group.
According to The Persistence of Segregation in the Metropolis: New Findings from the 2010 Census, written by John R. Logan and Brian Stults, Milwaukee is the most segregated city in the United States. The report also states, “The racial and ethnic composition of the United States continues to become more diverse.”
In Vital Signs 2015, a research report commissioned by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation (GMF) to assess the quality of life in metro Milwaukee, “15.9% of metro Milwaukeeans were living below the poverty level. That was the second-highest rate among the regions studied, behind Detroit.” More specifically, the report stated, “The poverty rate for non-Hispanic whites was 8.5 percent – fifth-lowest among study group. The rate for Hispanics was 29.3 percent. For African-Americans, it was 38.1 percent.”
Marcus White, Vice President of Civic Engagement at Greater Milwaukee Foundation, stated, “You’re just not going to thrive as a region if you have these continuing disparities.” GMF’s vision is to have, “Greater Milwaukee become a vibrant, economically thriving region comprised of welcoming and inclusive communities that provide opportunity, prosperity and a high quality of life for all.”
GMF also recently provided grant funding to the Justice Initiatives Institute to help stakeholders in the criminal justice system reform current municipal court procedures and policies to reduce racial and economic disparities. GMF, along with many other local funders, recognizes the need for grants to be given in support of issues specific to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Another local funder working to advance diversity, equity and inclusion is Peter Holbrook, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Cream City Foundation. According to Peter, his organization is, “committed to bringing together donors and nonprofit organizations to support the wellbeing of LGBT people in southeastern Wisconsin. Cream City Foundation provides critical funding to HIV organizations, LGBT community centers and social service organizations, cultural and arts organizations, LGBT education and leadership development programs.”
WPN joins its members and the community with its commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. To this end, WPN is hosting the 2015 Viewpoints Statewide Conference on November 19th, where Marcus Walton, Chief Operating Officer, Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE) will present the “ABFE Framework and Agenda for Change”. This session will address areas foundations can consider when working toward racial equity in their grantmaking.
Registration is now open to attend WPN’s 2015 Viewpoints Conference by visiting http://wiphilanthropy.org/events/2015-viewpoints-statewide-conference-on-philanthropy/.
Caty Bulgrin is research and operations analyst and Josh Freda is an intern for the Wisconsin Philanthropy Network (formerly Donors Forum of Wisconsin).
