Guiding Principles

Guiding Principles

  1. This is a community-based foundation driven by the values of the foundation.
  2. Philanthropy plays an important, but limited role.
  3. Education and learning have great potential to improve lives.
  4. We are funders and shapers-we rely on others to act and implement.
  5. Our focus is clear, and prioritizes some of the most neglected issues.
  6. We review, assess the needs and issues in the community, and identify areas where the foundation's impact would be greatest.
  7. We take risks on people and community groups who are dedicated to living their own potential, and work with them to help them see results. We are in it for the long haul.
  8. We advocate-vigorously but responsibly-in our areas of focus.
  9. We must be humble and mindful in our actions and words. We seek and heed the counsel of outside voices.
  10. We treat our grantees as valued partners, and we treat the ultimate beneficiaries of our work with respect.
  11. Delivering results with the resources we have been given is of the utmost importance- and we seek and share information about those results.
  12. We demand ethical behavior of ourselves.
  13. We treat each other as valued colleagues.
  14. Meeting our vision requires great stewardship of the money we have available.
  15. We leave room for growth and change.