Grantmakers in the Arts

In a letter to friends and colleagues, Executive Director Rose Ann Cleveland of The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation announced that she will retire at the end of October. Cleveland also served as chair of the Grantmakers in the Arts board of directors from 2013 through 2014.

For the month of May, GIA’s photo banner features work supported by The George Gund Foundation. The private foundation was established in 1952 by George Gund to provide intelligent underwriting of creative solutions to the issues and for the institutions that were important to him. Areas of focus include the arts, economic development and community revitalization, education, environment, and human services.

Grantmakers in the Arts heard from members that they are looking to learn from each other and from GIA about strategies to address the changing political climate and its effects on the arts community. To that end, GIA has created Arts Funders Respond: Engaging the Political Climate, a new website with regular updates on actions and statements funders are making across the country, as well as news updates and resources for advocacy. Learn how arts funders are taking action with program and policy changes. Read statements, op-eds, and blog posts by foundation leaders and others in the field. Get updates on the latest news and articles on issues that impact the arts community. And discover resources to support advocacy efforts for public and private funders.

A new survey by Exponent Philanthropy shows the vast majority of its members (82%) expect the institution of philanthropy to play a more important role in society as a result of recent changes in Washington, DC. Issued in late March to Exponent Philanthropy’s members – foundations with few or no staff, philanthropic families, and individual donors – the informal “Pulse Check” survey looked at how changes today in politics may impact philanthropic behavior in the year ahead, both in terms of giving practices and investments.