Expanding Leadership Initiative
Launching on Martin Luther King, Jr., Day 2007
The Community Foundation responds
to foster leadership in Boulder County, from Boulder County.
|
Contact: Carly Hare
The Community Foundation
303-442-0436 x 111
Boulder, Colo. (January 13, 2007) –
“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere
ignorance and conscientious stupidity,” said Martin
Luther King Jr.
Mindful of that pitfall and in celebration of King’s
birth, The Community Foundation is launching the Expanding
Leadership Initiative (E.L.I.) on Monday, the day the
nation officially observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
E.L.I. aims to take a hard look at questions of future
leadership and inclusiveness in the staffs and boards
of organizations that make up Boulder County’s nonprofit
sector. E.L.I. will explore questions and identify solutions
to promoting authentic inclusiveness, and address diversity
issues in the county’s nonprofit community. The
ultimate goal and measure of success will be an increase
in the number of people of color on the staffs, boards
and volunteer positions at these organizations.
“It was on MLK Day last year (2006) that the seed
for E.L.I was planted. I was at community events talking
with people and really heard that there’s a need
for the non-profit sector to better engage people of color,”
said Carly Hare, Programs Director for The Community Foundation.
The Community Foundation also frequently receives inquiries
from other non-profit organizations desiring referrals
for people of color who might be interested in serving
as board members and volunteers. The Foundation has struggled
to provide those referrals. As part of The Foundation’s
increased commitment to providing community leadership,
and with an awareness about the increasing diversity of
Boulder County’s population, The Community Foundation
felt it should do something. Focus groups held with county
non-profit organizations in February 2006 better informed
The Foundation about what it could do to provide a local
look at what is really a regional issue.
In partnership with The Community Resource Center, The
Community Foundation will conduct a survey and series
of focus groups in March 2007 and release a report of
the findings in May 2007. An advisory committee, including
six Community Representatives, will also be formed to
guide The Foundation on program content and development.
Applications for becoming a Community Representative and
more details on current plans for ELI can be found at
www.commfound.org/programs/index.html.
The Community Foundation exists to improve the quality
of life in Boulder County, now and forever, and to encourage
a culture of giving. The Foundation helps donors practice
strategic philanthropy in Boulder County and beyond, and
supports local non-profit organizations through grants
and technical assistance. In 2006, The Community Foundation
granted more than $5,000,000. Through programs such as
The Boulder County Civic Forum, The Culture of Giving
Movement, Social Venture Partners, and The Expanding Leadership
Initiative, The Community Foundation provides leadership
about issues and opportunities taking place in Boulder
County. To learn more, please visit www.commfound.org
or call 303-442-0436.
### |
|
Culture of Giving Art Contest 2006
Brooke Roberts, 11th Grade, Age
17
Boulder High School
|
