Donor Diversity
Our Donor Diversity program is engaging professionals of color and LGBT professionals into strategic discussions about the work of North Star Fund's grantees. In the process, we are building a diverse base of support among people who are seeking ways to give back--often to the communities that supported and nurtured them as they grew in their careers.
The program's cornerstone is a regular brunch series that feature discussions on the history of social change, how philanthropy has been practiced in different communities, and what resources are needed today. Grantees speak about their work, and the impact that a grant from North Star Fund has made.
In New York City, African-Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans comprise over 60% of the population. People of color have longstanding traditions of philanthropic giving from generation to generation through churches, extended family networks and other institutions not formally associated with philanthropy.
Similarly, LGBT communities have traditions of giving, some of which are unique, and some that mesh with the culture of origin of community members. Because LGBT people are woven into every community across New York, North Star Fund's grant programs ensures that the groups we fund include LGBT leadership as well as membership.
Events
February, 2009: African American Donor Diversity Brunch, with special speaker Wanda Imasuen from Families United for Racial and Economic Equality, and Zena Nelson from South Bronx Food Coop.
September, 2008: Latino Donor Diversity Brunch, with special speaker Rafael Samanez from VAMOS Unidos.
June, 2008: LGBT Donor Diverity Brunch, with special speakers Sean Barry and Shirlene Cooper from New York City AIDS Housing Network, and Joseph DeFilippis from Queers for Economic Justice.
October 2010 will be our first brunch focused on organizing and activism in Asian and Pacific Island communities.
North Star Fund's Donor Diversification program also partners with professional associations to provide programming content, workshops and arrange discussions with North Star Fund leaders and grantees as part of workplace giving programs and membership gatherings.
To learn more about getting involved, Chandler Bazemore, North Star Fund's Development Officer.
