New Report Provides Data on Foundation Diversity

NEW YORK — Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors today released the first of three publications that examine the state of diversity in philanthropy. The series arrives as public pressure grows for foundations to be more responsive to underserved and diverse communities, and foundation leaders reconsider the many ways to incorporate diverse perspectives into solving our greatest challenges.

Published with the goal of encouraging open dialogue in the field, highlighting accomplishments and promising programs, and recommending strategies to address institutional and field changes, the series will include quantitative data, analysis of model diversity programs and commentary by leaders in philanthropy and related fields.

The first report, “Philanthropy in a Changing Society: Achieving Effectiveness through Diversity,” is the most comprehensive examination to date of the major approaches to foundation diversity over the past 25 years. The Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors team thoroughly analyzed grant data collected by the Foundation Center and staffing and board composition trends from the Council on Foundations. The team tapped the advice of more than 50 philanthropy professionals and reviewed relevant literature to collect, describe and assess diversity programs and resources, and solicit comment on successes and challenges. These philanthropy leaders include scholars, directors of diversity programs, program participants and executives of major private, community and family foundations and philanthropic associations. Key findings include:

* Overall, there was much progress from 1982 through 2006 among foundations.

* 2006 staff diversity had grown to 23.2 percent, from 12.6 percent in 1982, with board diversity at 13.0 percent from 4.3 percent.

* Program officer diversity reached 35 percent compared with 15.4 percent in 1985.

* The share of grant dollars targeting minority populations increased modestly from 5.9 percent to 7.4 percent of foundation giving analyzed by the Foundation Center in its annual grants sample.[1]

* First half of 25 years saw greatest progress, with growth slower thereafter. While CEO and board diversity more than tripled during the entire period, only 41.5 percent and 32.7 percent of this change, respectively, took place between 1994 through 2006. Since the early 1990s grant dollars targeting minorities hovered just above or below eight percent.