Our Mission
Our Values
Equity
We acknowledge that there are systems and policies that perpetuate and maintain inequities and deny access to opportunities for many in our community. Our work is rooted in equity. To build more equitable and inclusive systems, we understand that investments must be made in both direct services and systemic change.
Community
We center community, and we trust that leaders and organizations know the solutions for their communities best. As such, we approach our work with humility and a commitment to learning. We lead with listening, love, care, and empathy to build authentic relationships.
We facilitate and learn from deep relationships and partnerships, with the understanding that collective action is necessary to build more equitable and inclusive systems.
Innovation
We commit to being creative and invite our partners to do the same. We know that building more equitable and inclusive systems calls for us to be imaginative and fearless in our approach to finding new and creative ways of doing things, including connecting concepts and people that haven’t been linked before. It also requires space to pilot new ways of doing things and to learn from failure.
Integrity
We embrace truth-telling and seek to practice kindness with candor. We champion telling the truth of our histories, both as societies and as individuals, believing that, as Bryan Stevenson says, “Until we understand the truth of our history, every effort at repair will fail.” We are committed to walking our talk, welcoming feedback and maintaining an openness to change.
How We Do Our Work
We fund. We make grants to nonprofit partners and leaders advancing racial and social justice.
We build capacity. We provide capacity building opportunities for leaders at all levels and for organizations to deepen their learning, healing and growth, and to optimize their ability to achieve their own goals.
We convene. We build relationships and facilitate connections, collaborations, and convenings among our partners and peers to foster and deepen partnerships, innovation and learning.
We amplify. We use our power to amplify the extraordinary work of our nonprofit partners and leaders, shining a spotlight for others to see.
Please note that we do not accept unsolicited proposals
“Our vision is of a world where an open horizon is available to all, where access to education and economic opportunity is within reach.”
– Co-founders Hershel Kleinberg and Lisa Cohen
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Main Photo courtesy of Critical Exposure, one of our grantees. Second photo courtesy of Chester Children’s Chorus, one of our grantees. John Alston rejoicing with the Festival Choir.