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Release: Alliance Applauds Council on Foundations

NEWS RELEASE

Contact:
Brigette Rouson, Program Director
(202) 955-8410
brigette@allianceonline.org

March 30, 2007

Alliance for Nonprofit Management Applauds Council on Foundations
For Its Commitment to Diversity

Washington, DC – Alliance for Nonprofit Management announced today that it applauds the leadership of the Council on Foundations for its assertive commitment to diversity, as stated by Steve Gunderson in his remarks during a recent conference of family foundations in Baltimore. "Through our own work with the Cultural Competency Initiative, we are convinced that advancing the nonprofit sector—and as a result, participatory democracy—requires attracting our best talent and taking bold action," said Tangie Newborn, the Alliance’s Executive Director and CEO. The Alliance brings together more than 1,100 individuals and organizations who reach 250,000 nonprofits a year with consulting, grantmaking, education and research.

Newborn referred to Gunderson's call for philanthropy to recognize that communities are "rich in races and religions ... the global gifts of various nationalities, languages and traditions," and his interest in making diversity "more than a program, more even than an outcome" in order to be most effective.

The Alliance Cultural Competency Initiative (CCI) lifts up that challenge and the necessary resources for the capacity-building field and by extension the nonprofit sector as a whole, including philanthropy. This Initiative works to transform the sector through building the knowledge, the will, and the skill to pay attention to culture in leadership and support of nonprofit endeavors. CCI offers various year-round training courses to nonprofits, grantmakers, funders, etc. through the Cultural Competency Institute and peer exchange. Other components of the Initiative include research, publishing and dissemination of practical resources, professional standards, and evaluation. The next trainings will be offered this summer Atlanta at the Alliance Annual Conference in July and in the Fall in DC.

"Paying attention to cultural identity and power dynamics will make the difference between treading water and swimming beyond our current sights," Newborn continued. "Our intention is to take diversity to the next level."

The Alliance encourages other organizations working to strengthen the nonprofit sector to collaborate with it in this important work. For more information on the Alliance for Nonprofit Management’s Cultural Competency Initiative and Institute or Annual Conference – "Pathways to Nonprofit Success," visit www.allianceonline.org.

Founded in 1997, Alliance for Nonprofit Management is located in Washington, DC, and is the professional association of individuals and organizations devoted to improving the management and governance capacity of nonprofits nationwide. See www.allianceonline.org, and join us at the Alliance Annual Conference in Atlanta, July 18–20, with Cultural Competency Intensive Workshops July 18 & 21.