Part of a series of informal brown-bag lunch conversations for funders that focuses upon diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
The Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation is a results-driven family foundation that invests in individuals and organizations that drive positive environmental change. As a grantmaker, the Foundation seeks to mobilize leaders from diverse disciplines who focus on integrated solutions to environmental issues. Through its core program, the Switzer Environmental Fellowship Program, and related grants, the Foundation supports a network of more than 600 Switzer Fellows who are leaders in the nonprofit, public policy, business, academic and government sectors and working to solve today’s environmental challenges.
At this DEI Brown-Bag Lunch, Lissa Widoff -- executive director of the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation -- shared some of the organization's experiences integrating equity into its programs and operations, including its core Switzer Fellows initiative. Lissa also spoke about national trends related to embedding DEI in environmental grantmaking that are applicable to all issues. There was lively exchange of strategies and ideas.
Some of the resources Lissa recommended are listed below.
Recommended Resources
DEI Resources and Articles
- Board-Led Best Practices on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity for US Environmental Organizations – Green Leadership Trust
- "In a Funding Portfolio, Diversity Drives Impact" – Mariella Puerto, Barr Foundation (2018)
- "Equity in Grantmaking: Walking the Walk" - Marcelo Bonta, Philanthropy Northwest (2016)
DEI Resources Especially Relevant to Environmental Work
- The State of Diversity in the Mainstream Environmental Sector – Green 2.0 report by Dr. Dorceta Taylor (2014).
- Environmentalism’s Racist History. Purdy, Jedediah. The New Yorker Magazine. August 2015.
- Rise of the American Conservation Movement: Power, Privilege and Environmental Protection - Dorceta Taylor (Duke University Press, 2016)