Blog

We are pleased to congratulate Allie Watson, Kristin Aspin and the Women’s Fund Childcare Initiative of Ashland County Community Foundation, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and Claudia Y.W. Herrold.

Philanthropy Ohio has an established custom to publish parting thoughts from retiring members. As I conclude 25 years of work at the George Gund Foundation on September 3, it is now my turn to say goodbye.

Our last major website design update was in 2015, so we are very excited for this new, fresh look and added functionality on our website with the same robust content your membership provides – including a big improvement to how you access many of your member benefits.

Philanthropy Ohio launched a Racial Equity Capacity Assessment for members and Ohio foundations to gain valuable insight individually and collectively on the journey to promote racial equity. Registration is open now through April 23 to sign your organization up to participate.

The opportunities that Philanthropy Ohio has provided over the last 13 years for members to learn and share how to strategically and intentionally advance diversity, equity and inclusion in our organizations and grantmaking have provided a foundation for how we can be responsive in this moment.

The way non-Black people can help is first, to listen. As Dave Chappelle recently quipped, “…the streets are talking…” and we would all do well to listen.

This broader awakening of privileged people to see and want to change the ugly and relentless reality of institutionalized racism—that extinguishes hope, breaks spirits, limits potential, and steals futures—has been a long time in coming. And it must not fade from view.

Today is the National Day for Racial Healing, the annual observance created by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in 2017 and observed every year on the Tuesday following Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It is a time for contemplation and collective action on #HowWeHeal from the effects of racism and an opportunity to bring ALL people together in their common humanity and inspire collective action to create a more just and equitable world.

As February / Black History Month comes to a close and March / Women’s History Month dawns, a focus on excellence in leadership is fitting to uplift all that is deserving of philanthropic and social impact investment. Focusing on the struggles of our past has its place – so that we never forget. But highlighting the excellence in our legacies provides a vital and proactive perspective.

More than 788,331 Ohio students are expected to benefit from Philanthropy Ohio and Ohio Department of Education’s grants from The Collaborative Fund for Educating Remotely and Transforming Schools.