History
For over two decades, the work of CHANGE Philanthropy (formerly known as JAG) has educated grantmakers about the value of inclusion in foundations, including increased understanding of the interrelatedness of multiple identities and issues. We’ve consistently and successfully advocated for greater equity in the distribution of philanthropic resources. Check out this slideshow to see highlights from our 20th anniversary.
Since our founding in 1993, the collective efforts of our partners have stayed true to three primary focuses:
Advancing equity in philanthropy through cutting-edge analyses that draw upon our partners’ experience, perspectives, knowledge, and values
Aligning the work of our partners and allies in order to build more equity for diverse communities by hosting convenings, pooling resources, developing intersectional strategies, and uniting upon shared interests
Activating change in philanthropy and in diverse communities by collaborating, mobilizing partners and allies, and taking action that leads to equity
Below you will find historical highlights from each of these primary focuses.
Advancing Equity
2005: Completion, publication, official media release, and national distribution of “The Meaning and Impact of Board and Staff Diversity in the Philanthropic Field: Findings and Recommendations of a National Study Council on Foundations Annual Conference,” Chicago, IL
2001: “Diversity Practices in Philanthropy: Findings from a National Study,” Release of preliminary JAG-sponsored report and session presentation at Council on Foundations Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA
Aligning the Work
National Convenings
2007 Unity Summit
JAG (now known as CHANGE Philanthropy) hosted the Unity Summit at The California Endowment’s Center for Healthy Communities in Los Angeles on February 5-7, 2007. Over 200 philanthropic leaders from across the country participated in thoughtful and dynamic discussions on a range of social justice issues. The summit proposed cutting-edge ideas for strategic thinking and challenged the way grantmakers approach social change. Some of the products included new partnerships, best practices documents, and a more coordinated and effective agenda for change. Download
National Convening of Affinity Groups and All for One Event
In March 2011, JAG (now known as CHANGE Philanthropy) organized and hosted an event in Chicago that brought together 16 national affinity groups to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion, the relaunching of JAG, potential membership, and possibilities for collaboration on the D5 coalition. The energy created by the event inspired JAG to organize a second, follow-up convening, the All for One event, during the Council on Foundations annual conference in Philadelphia in April. This event was attended by 30 to 35 affinity groups and supported work to build a stronger network among affinity groups.
2014 Unity Summit: Advancing Equity Together
By Advancing Equity Together, JAG (now known as CHANGE Philanthropy) united its members and others in the field to build a new vision for collaboration to advance equity in society (addressing race, gender, sexual orientation, and disability). Unity Summit brought together all JAG partners for a three-day convening in Washington, DC. Approximately 430 professionals representing 33 states gathered for discussion, debate, networking, and skill-building to advance equity and social justice. Download the Conference Booklet.
Activating Change
Past Statements
CHANGE Philanthropy feels strongly about the important to issue collective statements on critical issues, drawing upon the strength and reach of our network. These collective statements highlight the unity between our diverse communities on issues that affect us all. See below for past statements:
Addressing Racism in Philanthropy
Since 2010, CHANGE Philanthropy has served on the advisory board and also chairing and coordinating the committee that produces the D5 Coalition’s State of the Work (SOW) report. State of the Work report is an effort to map philanthropy’s impact on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The report was published annually from 2011 to 2016 as a series designed to guide the D5’s work and measure its progress over the next five years.
Conference Knowledge Sharing/Thought Leadership
2015
- Neighborhood Funders Group’s Working Group on Labor and Community Partnerships’ Hawai’i Learning Tour, November 16 -19, 2015
2014
- 20 years Advancing Equity Together: Joint Affinity Groups Unity Summit, Washington, DC
- Council on Foundations’ Annual Conference, Plenary Partnership, Washington, DC
2013
- Council on Foundations’ Annual Conference, Taskforce Advisor, Chicago, IL
2012
- Council on Foundations’ Annual Conference, Taskforce Advisor, Los Angeles, CA
- Council on Foundations’ Annual Conference, Pre-session “Looking Back, Moving Forward”, Los Angeles, CA
2011
- Council on Foundations’ Annual Conference, Planning Committee, Philadelphia, PA
2010
- Council on Foundations’ Annual Conference, post-conference site visit, Denver, CO
2005
- Council on Foundations’ Family Foundation Conference, Miami, FL
- Council on Foundations’ Annual Conference, San Diego, CA
- National Network of Grantmakers’ Conference, Blaine, WA
2004
- Council on Foundations’ Family Foundation Conference, New York, NY
- Council on Foundations’ Annual Conference, Toronto, Canada
- National Network of Grantmakers’ Conference, Miami, FL
2003
- Council on Foundations’ Fall Conference for Community Foundations, Baltimore, MD
2002
- Council on Foundations’ Family Foundation Conference, New Orleans, LO
- Council on Foundations’ Annual Conference, Chicago, IL
- Council on Foundations’ Fall Conference for Community Foundations, Atlanta, GA
2001
- Council on Foundations’ Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA
2000
- Council on Foundations’ Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA
1999
- Council on Foundations Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA
- National Network of Grantmakers Conference, Minneapolis, MN
- Fall Conference for Community Foundations
- JAG was invited to provide advice to the White House Millennium Council staff on how to shape the White House Philanthropy Summit, and JAG’s leadership participated in the Summit.
1998
- Council on Foundations’ Annual Conference, Conference session, Washington, D.C.
- Site visit at Gallaudet University and Mount Pleasant/Columbia Heights—Washington, D.C. neighborhoods
1997
- Hawaiian Sovereignty and other sessions focused on Native Americans/Native Hawaiian and Asian/Pacific Issues; Site visit at a Native Hawaiian development corporation Council on Foundations Annual Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii
1996
- Council of Foundations’ Annual Conference, Atlanta, Georgia; Co-sponsored luncheon with Women and Philanthropy
1995
- Council of Foundations’ Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA