Yoo-Jin considers herself bi-coastal with roots in the Pacific Northwest and the D.C./DMV area. In addition to her work with the Council, she’s currently working towards a Master’s degree in Public Health at UC Berkeley. Her focus is on how racism impacts health, especially in the workplace. She…

In the heart of West Plains, Missouri, marked by its segregation-era past, stands a forgotten schoolhouse, the Lincoln School, that was once reserved for Black children. Today a community-driven effort is breathing new life into its weathered walls. Meanwhile, the emergence of the Springfield Daily…

Throughout his life, Dr. Marvin Carr has seen challenges not obstacles, but as catalysts for change. Despite growing up in the projects of southwest Detroit, Carr was undeterred by the supposed limitations on opportunity, financial mobility, and success. Crucially, he also was not alone.   “I…

The once-closed public library in Chicago's Marshall Square, silent for a decade, now thrives as a dynamic community center, pulsating with youth activities and powered by clean, renewable energy.  Luis Gutierrez, founder and CEO of Latinos Progresando, which runs the center, hails it as an “…

This blog is part of the Council's Dialogue Across Difference series. In this space, we will share your viewpoints: In a time of polarization and mistrust, how can philanthropy bridge across difference?  Institutions are the vehicles through which we negotiate our differences. These days,…

Research shows it’s human nature to focus more on negative experiences than positive ones. But some of us are wired differently – and that proclivity toward optimism is one reason we’re drawn to philanthropy. I’m always awed by how you make your communities and our society better. You know…

This blog is part of the Council's Dialogue Across Difference series. In this space, we will share your viewpoints: In a time of polarization and mistrust, how can philanthropy bridge across difference?  I once heard Deb and Jim Fallows, authors of "Our Towns," talk about their epic 100,000-…

The new year brings new opportunities for growth, and nothing demonstrates that more than our Career Pathways program. This selective leadership development program cultivates bold, representative, and inclusive decision-makers – and that’s exactly what you’ll find with the 24 members of the 2024…

When tackling issues around health care, education, infrastructure, or anything else, philanthropy is often perceived as narrowly focusing on the most immediate causes rather than tackling structural or root causes.   But the reality is that philanthropy's role is much more expansive,…

As the current Co-Chairs of the Council on Foundations’ Community Foundation Advisory Group, we wanted to reflect on the conversations and issues we have covered over the past year and share some key takeaways with our peers across the sector.  The Advisory Group represents community…

This blog is part of the Council's Dialogue Across Difference series. In this space, we will share your viewpoints: In a time of polarization and mistrust, how can philanthropy bridge across difference?  In the 1830s Alexis de Tocqueville wrote that he was astonished by Americans’ collective…

As we arrive at the end of the year, it can be tempting to focus solely on what we want to do better next year. Sometimes the challenges we face are so overwhelming that we want to turn the page to a new chapter as soon as possible. At the same time, we know that our Council community engaged in…

This blog is part of the Council's Dialogue Across Difference series. In this space, we will share your viewpoints: In a time of polarization and mistrust, how can philanthropy bridge across difference? Janet N. Ekezie is part of our Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort.  Philanthropy has…

At the Council on Foundations, we pride ourselves on being a learning organization – one that continuously seeks to understand, reflect, and evolve. It’s in that spirit that we introduce our upcoming member survey. All of our members have received invitations to participate from our research…

This blog is part of the Council's Dialogue Across Difference series. In this space, we will share your viewpoints: In a time of polarization and mistrust, how can philanthropy bridge across difference?  The Constitution empowers us to create “a more perfect union.” Today, toxic polarization…

This blog is the first in the Council's new series, Dialogue Across Difference. In this space, we will share your viewpoints: In a time of polarization and mistrust, how can philanthropy bridge across difference?  In a staff training, the facilitators from Resetting the Table asked us to…