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Click to launch the Highlights Report PDF from the JAG Unity Summit, February, 2007. Published in 2002, The Meaning and Impact of Board and Staff Diversity in the Philanthropic Field: Findings from a National Study is an important research study sponsored by the Joint Affinity Groups (JAG) that examines diversity in the field of philanthropy. The Meaning and Impact of Board and Staff Diversity in the Philanthropic Field: Findings from a National Study
You may download the entire report (1021 kb) or just selected sections by clicking on the links below:
Cover (81 kb)
Table of Contents (86 kb)
Preface (81 kb)
Foreword (Emmett Carson, President, The Minneapolis Foundation) (48 kb)
Diversity in Foundations: The Numbers and Their Meanings (Burbridge) (618 kb)
Independent Foundations in Transition: From Family Vehicles to Major Institutions (Odenthal and Diaz) (129 kb)
Community Foundations and Progressive Grantmaking Public Charities (Diaz and Shaw) (133 kb)
Corporate Philanthropy: The Business of Diversity (Shaw) (119 kb)
Conclusions: Findings and Recommendations (56 kb)
Appendix: Interviews and Case Study Methodology (82 kb)
About the Research Project Based on a comprehensive survey of more than 600 grantmakers nationwide, the JAG study offers practical recommendations for foundations looking to address the growing diversity of the communities they serve. Carried out by researchers from Rutgers University, University of Minnesota and the National Network of Grantmakers, the study surveyed 500 program- and executive-level staff and featured in-depth interviews with 109 staff people from 29 foundations. According to the study, funded by the Ford Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund and the Edwin Gould Foundation for Children, philanthropy has evolved from a field dominated by white men to one in which women are the majority and one fifth of staff are people of color. Other findings include: - Diversity is not widely understood and is primarily equated with ethnicity and race.
- Gays, lesbians, people with disabilities and women of color earn less and are less likely to advance to senior level positions than their white male counterparts.
- There has been no notable increase in diversity among Board of Directors.
Among the study's recommendations: - Foundation culture must be changed for diversity to be successful. Examples include expansion of board and staff, establishment of domestic partner benefits and workplace accommodations for people with disabilities.
- Diversity takes time and is a conscious, ongoing process that requires clearly defined goals, responsibilities and accountability mechanisms.
- Benefits of greater diversity include closer connection to communities, improved responsiveness to demographic changes, and better outreach to diverse donors.
The nine JAG partners that sponsored this study are: The Environmental Grantmakers Association participated in the survey component of this research project.
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