Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation | President's Corner

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Impact In Arkansas

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President's Corner

Like other foundations, our assets have been impacted by recent tumultuous times; however, the convergence of the economic crisis, the nation’s stimulus efforts, and the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation’s Moving the Needle (MTN) strategic plan offers unprecedented leveraging opportunities. With MTN as a guide, WRF plans to take full advantage of those opportunities and work hard to ensure that as our country recovers, Arkansas excels.

The MTN framework serves to guide and focus the Foundation’s grantmaking for the next several years. Although we are in the early implementation stages, it has evolved into a statewide public advocacy and education campaign to combat poverty and increase economic mobility. We have catalyzed philanthropic partners, nonprofit leaders, economic development, government, education, and community stakeholders, to help craft an agenda to bring about systemic change.

In September 2009, the Foundation celebrated 35 years of impacting the lives of Arkansans. Over that 35-year period, the Foundation has granted over $135 million to nonprofits across the state, staying true to the legacy of Governor Winthrop Rockefeller. As we extend that legacy, we will continue deploying our resources to implement sustainable solutions to improve the lives of Arkansans, and move the needle in our state on the most important indicators of child, family, and economic well-being.

View the President's Bio here.

Links to articles by the President

Triple A Advice for Philanthropy: Become Advocates, Activists, and Accelerants (link)
Through this keynote address at the Ohio Grantmakers Forum's Philanthropy Forward '11 annual conference, Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury encouraged Ohio grantmakers to become:

ADVOCATES who leverage their limited funds by investing in advocacy and organizing

ACTIVISTS who push for policies and practices that will enable Ohio to move forward in the 21st century

ACCELERANTS who speed up society's adoption of systemic reforms that strengthen our democracy and advance life opportunities for all

Community Philanthropy: How the Delta Region Revives, Embraces, and Promotes the Spirit of Giving (link)
In this article, published in the Foundation Review, Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury and her co-author, Dr. Charlotte Williams of the Clinton School of Public Service, explain why community philanthropy is a viable innovation that can turn communities into healthy, equitable places where vulnerable families can succeed. They present data that confirms that philanthropy in the Delta Region is substantial, and that people are giving not only their money, but also their services, time, and skills.

Inequities in Educational Access Aren't Getting Enough Attention (link)
In an op-ed article, Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury describes the need for philanthropy to be part of efforts to break apart an unjust system that offers a better education to those who are wealthy while failing to acknowledge the needs of those in marginalized communities.

12 Resolutions For Savvy Foundations(pdf)
One of the most talked-about sessions at the 2010 Southeastern Council of Foundations Annual Meeting was a leadership discussion among foundation leaders Dr. Karl Stauber, Danville Regional Foundation; Dr. Sherry Magill, Jessie Ball duPont Fund; Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation; and Gene Cochrane, The Duke Endowment. To capitalize on the collective wisdom of this venerable panel, this article collects advice they would give to foundations for 2011.

Rural America as Philanthropy’s Frontier: A Call for Increased Commitment (pdf)
Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury makes her contribution to the Council on Foundations’ Philanthropy & Rural America. The Council’s vision is “A vibrant, growing, and responsible philanthropic sector that advances the common good.” Discover with Dr. West-Scantlebury how the economic frailties that exist in urban America are just as prevalent in rural communities.

Moving from “What” to “How” (link)
Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury REPLACEs her perspectives, via an e-journal of philanthropic ideas, around attracting public and private sector investments in rural America.

Clinton “Scholars in Residence” Submission – Moving the Needle One Family at a Time (pdf)
The University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service Center on Community Philanthropy recently launched a new program to reach out to researchers, practitioners, and senior executives who have demonstrated exemplary contributions in the field of community philanthropy. Dr. West-Scantlebury was in the inaugural group of “Scholars in Residence Program,” spending May 11–15th, 2009, at the center researching, writing, and interacting with students and faculty at the Clinton School. Read her article submission to the program— Moving the Needle One Family at a Time.

Words to Give By: Leading Voices in Advocacy (pdf)
While making the case for foundation support of advocacy, Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury discusses lessons learned around making social change happen, identifying advocacy activities to support change, and ensuring that these efforts result in long-term community benefits. Dr. West-Scantlebury’s story offers a powerful and very personal look at the importance of investing in social change.
Source: Words to Give By: Leading Voices in Advocacy Funding, Alliance for Justice. Download the complete publication at AFJ.org | Alliance for Justice.

Wit and Wisdom: Unleashing the Philanthropic Imagination (pdf)
Former WRF President, Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton is interviewed along with other philanthropic leaders who have worked with creativity and persistence to address issues of race, equity, and poverty throughout their distinguished careers. This is an excerpt from the publication, presented by Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy. Click here to view the entire publication.