Friends Focus highlights updates from members of our Friends of the Family network and their work. This month features updates from the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund, Libra Foundation, J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, McKnight Foundation, Russell Family Foundation, Surdna Foundation, and Walton Family Foundation.
Are you a current Friend or Leadership Circle member of NCFP with an update or good news about your foundation that you would like to share with Family Giving News readers? Please email us. Interested in learning more about the families involved in NCFP’s Friends of the Family network? Go here.
William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund Pledges $1,000,000 to Fund the Movement for Black Lives
The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund is pleased to announce a grant totaling $1,000,000 to the Fund for the Movement for Black Lives (M4BL). The grant represents a five-year commitment to supporting the work of M4BL, with $200,000 being disbursed each year.
Haas, Jr. Fund Joins Funders to Announce the Launch of the California Black Freedom Fund
The Haas, Jr. Fund has joined nearly two dozen funders to announce the launch of the California Black Freedom Fund, a new $100 million initiative dedicated to Black power-building and organizing in California.
The Libra Foundation is featured by the California Criminal Justice Funders Group
CCJFG interviews the Libra Foundation’s senior program officer, maisha quint about the foundation’s priorities, its response to 2020, and her work with the foundation.
The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Announces $20 Million Endowment at Howard University
The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation together with Howard University announced today the establishment of the Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership in honor of Marriott International’s beloved president and CEO, Arne Sorenson, who tragically passed away last week from pancreatic cancer. The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation will provide a $20 million endowment to launch the Center at Howard University, one of the nation’s leading historically Black colleges and universities.
McKnight Welcomes Tenzin Dolkar as Midwest Climate & Energy Program Officer
The McKnight Foundation is pleased to announce that Tenzin Dolkar will serve as a program officer of the Midwest Climate & Energy (MC&E) program starting March 10. Dolkar has led significant climate initiatives in Minnesota and brings considerable public policy experience in transportation, buildings, and agriculture.
Former CEO of The Russell Family Foundation, Richard Woo, featured in Podcast
In the second podcast episode by Paul Shoemaker, he interviews Richard Woo. He discusses leadership and the important skills that leaders in this country need moving forward. Richard has a 30 year career in philanthropy and a longtime affiliation with the Russell Family Foundation.
Founders First Capital Partners Announces Initial Close of $9 Million Series A to Support Underrepresented Entrepreneurs and Underserved Communities
Founders First Capital Partners (Founders First) announced its initial close for a $9 million Series A financing led by The Rockefeller Foundation and the Surdna Foundation to support underfunded and underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Listen, Learn, Lead: Walton Family Foundation Launches New Five-Year Strategic Plan
The Walton Family Foundation today announced a new strategic plan for its next five-year grantmaking cycle. The plan reflects the foundation’s mission to tackle tough social and environmental problems with urgency and a long-term approach to expand access to opportunity for people and communities.