Grantee Spotlight
At our most recent board meeting, a Catalyst Fund grant was made to College Unbound (CU), a contemporary accredited college that aims to reinvent the higher education experience for underserved adult learners. Its student-driven model of rigorous and engaged scholarship focuses on each student’s unique ability to power meaningful, transformative change in their own personal and professional lives.
Beyond the Money: Taking a Racial Equity Approach to Endowment Management
On March 11, The Racial Equity Asset Lab (The REAL) hosted a panel discussion for foundation staff and board members about engaging external consultants for advancing mission-alignment, integrating impact investing, and incorporating racial equity in endowment practices. The discussion, which was in partnership with Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, included key considerations and recommendations for launching an RFP process—particularly when it comes to seeking racial equity competency in investment advisors.
More than 30 foundation staff and board members joined the discussion to learn from and engage with several national experts. A video recording and several resources are available here for those who were unable to attend.
Meet Lauren Stebbins
The Barra Foundation is thrilled to welcome Lauren Stebbins as a Program Officer as of February 2022. The DC native was inspired at a young age to explore the income disparities she saw around her, leading to post-secondary studies centered around inequity and political dynamics. Lauren’s career followed suit with positions in the nonprofit sector designed to contribute toward positive social change. An interest in innovation and the bigger, broader social sector led her to The Barra Foundation.
“For me, most exciting thing about innovation is the power it has to change how people think about an issue, challenge or practice. Tried and true methods keep the trains running, but it can put you in a routine that prevents us from questioning assumptions. When you give someone space to think differently, we can craft better solutions to some of our most entrenched issues,” said Lauren. Please join us in welcoming Lauren Stebbins to The Barra Foundation.
President Tina Wahl to speak at Total Impact Summit | May 16-17 in Philadelphia, PA
Total Impact Summit invites individuals and organizations seeking to align their assets and make investments for positive local and global impact. The 2-day event will feature peer connection opportunities, an Investable Impact showcase, and 20+ sessions featuring 50+ speakers covering topics including ESG, impact investing, climate action, racial equity, and more.
Learn more and register with the code ‘SPEAKERFRIEND’ for $300 off at impactphl.org/ti22.