Our approach to philanthropy is guided by the following principles.
Supporting innovation is a process and different from transactional, traditional grantmaking.
Curiosity, risk, failure, learning and sharing are part of the innovation process.
Leadership matters and can be catalytic.
At times, innovation comes from non-traditional actors and unlikely partnerships.
Experimentation, inspiration and imagination are important components of innovation.
Financial support and other resources are needed for individuals and organizations to challenge assumptions, take risks and develop new models.
Building trust can encourage frank discussions about risk and failure.
Diversity and equity are critical to the innovation we support.
Diversity of ideas, people and insights can spur innovation and lead to more equitable solutions.
Projects and initiatives should aim to significantly improve the lives of under-resourced individuals, families and communities.
We recognize that there are several systemic root causes of poverty, including systemic racism, which have perpetuated structural inequity.
Wisdom and knowledge come from being proximate to issues, problems and opportunities.
It is important to listen to, engage with and respond to the sector, and communities, in which we operate.
How we work is as important as what we fund.
To address the needs and opportunities in under-resourced communities, we will consider equity not just in what we fund, but also in our operational practices.
Our four areas of interest (Arts & Culture, Education, Health and Human Services) are used to help us organize our work, but we recognize the overlap among them—and resist making them rigid lines of work.
We aim to practice what we preach and utilize next practices in philanthropy, such as impact investing, that have the potential to create bold, more durable change in the social sector.
We seek to build and support networks and learning that advance early-stage bold, transformative change.
Our mission guides the majority of our efforts. However, we recognize the need at times for foundations to act swiftly and collaboratively to respond to urgent needs or to be a responsible civic partner.