Program at a Glance
Mission: To support efforts to assist in democratic institution building, strengthen communities, promote equitable access to resources, and ensure respect of rights and diversity.
Central/Eastern Europe and Russia
Goal: To foster societies in Central/Eastern Europe (CEE) and Russia in which people and communities respect each other’s rights and engage effectively in decisionmaking to influence policies and processes that shape their lives at the local, national and/or international levels.
Objectives/What We Seek:
- European Union (EU) New Member States and Accession Countries. Strengthened public participation in the development of communities and societies, and an adequate and responsive flow of resources to support these activities.
- Western Balkans. 1) Strengthened public participation in the development of communities and societies, and an adequate and responsive flow of resources to support these activities. 2) Stable and strong inter-communal relations and reduced likelihood of violent ethnic conflict.
- Western Former Soviet Union. 1) Strengthened public participation in the development of communities and societies, and an adequate and responsive flow of resources to support these activities. 2) Strengthened institutions and mechanisms that ensure people’s rights are respected, and that laws and policies to protect these rights are promulgated and implemented.
- CEE/Russia Regional. Increased capacity of CEE/Russia nonprofit organizations through international peer-to-peer learning and information exchange around issues relevant to the overall CEE/Russia program goal.
South Africa
Goal: To support a vibrant, diverse and inclusive civil society in which nonprofits work to deepen democracy, increase participation in decisionmaking, advance socioeconomic and racial equality, and promote justice and reconciliation.
Objectives/What We Seek:
- Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy. An effective and well-managed nonprofit sector that is engaged with issues of poverty and inequality and that is adequately resourced through public and private funding.
- Rights, Responsibilities and Participation. Effective engagement of community residents in local government decisionmaking so people’s rights -- especially those of the poor, marginalized and vulnerable -- are upheld and advanced through local government service delivery.
- Race and Ethnic Relations. A more inclusive, nonracial society in which communities are better able to address racism and transcend the divisions of the past.
United States
Goal: To support a strong enabling environment for philanthropy and the nonprofit sector in the U.S., emphasizing accountability, effectiveness and inclusiveness.
Objectives/What We Seek:
- Nonprofit Sector Effectiveness and Accountability. Access by philanthropic and other nonprofit-sector practitioners to learning opportunities, capacity-building assistance and policy advocacy that enhance their organizations’ effectiveness and accountability.
- Racial/Ethnic Diversity in Philanthropy. More inclusive practices within philanthropy so people of racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds increasingly impact decisionmaking and participate as leaders within the field.
- Nonprofit Sector Research. Timely and reliable generation and dissemination of data and research on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector for the benefit of the field.
Special Initiatives – International
Goal: To respond to unique opportunities related to the development of civil society internationally.
Objectives/What We Seek:
- Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy. A vibrant and independent nonprofit and philanthropic sector in select countries and internationally.