Community Foundations Working Across Differences Accelerator FAQs
We understand that you may have questions about the Community Foundations Working Across Differences Accelerator. Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions are included here. If you still have questions, please reach out to knowledge@cof.org.
What do you mean when you say “working across differences?”
Work to connect and collaborate across differences manifests in many ways. At its core, it is about bringing people together across differences to deepen understanding and/or solve shared problems. This work includes strategies known in the field as belonging, bridging, building common ground, and conflict transformation. These strategies inform a variety of activities and investments, including countering polarization, combating hate, encouraging racial healing, advancing equity, and fostering an inclusive democracy, among others.
What do you mean by heartset, mindset, and skillset?
“Heartset” refers to the desire and willingness to connect and collaborate across differences. It is about possessing the belief that engagement across difference matters, and finding the motivation, drive, and ambition to do it — not because it is easy or popular, but as a reflection of core values, beliefs, and principles of leadership.
“Mindset” refers to the plan to translate ambition into a clear and actionable process of engagement and leadership. It is about expanding heartsets into clear and rigorous strategies for impact — moving from the emotional to the empirical by employing evidence-informed, science-backed methodologies, frameworks, and practices.
“Skillset” refers to the ability to effectively engage in the work of connecting across difference and finding common ground. It is about having the competency to put heartsets and mindsets into practice — this may include utilizing skills like asset mapping, active listening, conflict management, dialogue facilitation, cultural competency, peace building and/or violence prevention.
Can a coalition of community foundations apply?
While we welcome work that might reach several communities, each application should come from a single community foundation. Should a coalition wish to work together, the group should select one organization to represent it, and that organization should apply.
What if the staff working on this initiative have already participated in the Council's Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort or a Building Cultures of Dialogue workshop? Will someone else have to participate?
If a member of staff working on the community foundation initiative has already participated in one of these programs (or in the Communicating Across Divides: A Facilitation Intensive), we’ll ask you to confirm that participation. No additional participation will be required.
How many staff members will need to participate in the peer learning circles?
At least one staff member will need to participate in each virtual peer meeting. We will ask that you identify a primary staff member who will commit to attending each session, along with a second staff member that would attend in their absence. Both are, of course, welcome to attend.
What do we mean by "community foundation"?
The Council will use the Community Foundations National Standards definition of a community foundation. Applicants do not, however, need to be accredited by Community Foundations National Standards.
Accelerator Resources
This work is generously supported by
