Racial diversity and inclusion have been central to the grantmaking strategy at the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation for decades. In more recent years, the Foundation has deepened its engagement with racial equity.

Times change — as does our understanding of equity. Because of that, foundations with long histories often find that their past practices are at odds with their current aspirations.

The National Center for Family Philanthropy recently spoke with Neal, who presented at the NCFP annual Trustee Education Institute about diversity and equity and how family foundations can help lead important efforts to improve conditions for all people. Below are excerpts from that conversation:

NCFP: It seems like we’re seeing more foundations getting reengaged in issues around diversity and civil rights. Do you sense that there’s a larger movement happening in the field?

David Neal: I hope so. We’re in a moment of really incredible civil rights advocacy. There’s more visible activism and explicit discourse on these issues — and I imagine a lot of foundations are grappling with it anew.

How big of an impact can foundations have? What role do you see them playing in terms of getting the right people to the table to deal with these issues in a productive way?

At a minimum, foundations can help put racial equity on the agenda. Just by framing the questions and making it a priority within their own institutions, they can play a role in focusing attention on the problem. Foundations can also play a role in convening, in bringing together policy leaders with organizations that are doing great work around racial equity.

Read the full article about how family philanthropy can advance equity by David Neal at the Center for Family Philanthropy.