Reflecting our community: Diversifying philanthropy in Atlanta

Did you observe Juneteenth last month? These celebrations were an excellent reminder of the need for furthering diversity in philanthropy. That could involve engaging donors from a wider array of races and backgrounds and prioritizing grantees working with underrepresented groups. 

The team at the Community Foundation is doing just that. In fact, we often field questions from attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors about diversity, equity and inclusion issues related specifically to philanthropy. We appreciate your questions, and we are especially grateful that you are having these discussions with your clients. We hope you will think of the Community Foundation as a resource when these important issues come up.  

Here’s a little background for your client conversations: 

• Well-intended donors can sometimes become unintentionally siloed with their generosity. Maybe that’s by concentrating their support toward a few organizations, supporting the same causes repeatedly, or only supporting the same types of causes.  

• For all its convenience, recurring or automated gifting can sometimes become too routine, keeping donors from recognizing the community’s broader needs. These needs change over time, so donors should periodically revisit their annual donations to ensure they are still addressing the most current challenges in our community. 

• As you talk with your clients about the financial and tax benefits of establishing a fund at the Community Foundation, keep in mind that the benefits go beyond tax savings and streamlining. The resourcefulness of our experienced staff can be a big value when your client wants to learn more about specific issues, expand horizons to new nonprofit organizations, or infuse a strong commitment to diversity into a charitable giving plan.  

• Our team can even help increase support for diversity within a client’s current giving. Grants to a place of worship, a favorite healthcare or recovery facility, or an alma mater can be given in ways to specifically address diversity and inclusion challenges those organizations may address within the populations they serve.  

The Community Foundation exists to help you support your clients’ giving to their favorite causes. Imagine how rewarding it will feel when you introduce them to a nonprofit that fits their passion and has been traditionally underserved by the philanthropic community. We believe philanthropy is most effective when it reflects our increasingly diverse world. As a service to our donors, their advisors, and to the community as a whole, our team is committed to identifying and supporting grantees that reduce or eliminate long standing societal differences and inequalities. 

Reach out to Josh Dukelow, gift planning officer, at 404.588.3208 or jdukelow@cfgreateratlanta.org to discuss how the Community Foundation can help you deliver on your client’s charitable ambitions. Let our experts be your partner for philanthropic impact! 

Photo credit: The Decisive Moment Photography