Grantmakers in the Arts

Philanthropy New York is piloting a new leadership program for experienced program officers and directors tailored for those who have chosen to work in philanthropy to help bring about change and want to push themselves to be effective champions within their roles, as the initiative's webpage explains.

Many leaders support their organization’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, details an article in Harvard Business Review, "but are stumped when it comes to having constructive conversations with colleagues about police brutality, sexual harassment, or LGBTQ+ issues."

The Blanket Exercise, led by Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP), is "a participatory simulation that teaches about Native people, the colonization of their land, and its consequences, and how oppression continues today," as Jen Bokoff, director of Stakeholder Engagement at Candid, reflected in an article published in Alliance Magazine, after participating in one session. The blankets, as she describes, represent Turtle Island (North America), while a time lapse of stolen land loops on screen.

Giving circles, as Ms. Magazine reported, are usually created by women and/or members of ethnic minority, LGBTQ or other marginalized groups—those who typically hold a lesser share of power and money in the U.S.—though many open their doors to anyone with common values. And, according to the magazine, women make up most of their members.

A pledge by Ethical Storytelling, a community of practitioners "engaging the messy yet beautiful conversation around storytelling in the social impact space," seeks to focus the lens on the “how,” not just the “what” of the stories we encounter in the work we do, writes Rachel Goble, co-curator of Ethical Storytelling, in a recent post published in the blog of the Center for Effective Philanthropy.

In July, funding for the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA) was eliminated using a line-item budget veto in a decision by governor Mike Dunleavy, who took office in December. Alaska lawmakers fell short in attempts to override the vetoes, explained AP.

Family Pictures USA, a new show on PBS, that highlights local history and heritage, has relevance for philanthropy, as a piece at The Chronicle of Philanthropy points out. "At a time when foundations are being urged to listen more keenly to grantees and their ultimate beneficiaries, show host Thomas Allen Harris offers a master class in the gracious way that he listens intently and draws out the most profound expression of the stories behind family photo albums," details the piece.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced recently that sixteen prominent humanities scholars and advocates have been confirmed to the National Council on the Humanities.