22 Foundations and Donors Pledge to Redouble Commitments to Puerto Rico

Twenty-two foundations and major donors signed a joint pledge to redouble their commitments to Puerto Rico as the island and its people continue to recover from 2017's Hurricane Maria, ongoing natural disasters, and the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recognizing the urgency of the moment, a network of foundations and major donors signed a joint pledge to: maintain, strengthen and expand their philanthropic commitments to Puerto Rico; invest in local community leaders and organizations who are committed to just, equitable, and inclusive recovery efforts; and continue to build the capacity of organizations working in Puerto Rico by providing flexible financial, non-financial, and technical assistance.

They are calling on additional donors to join the pledge to support Puerto Rico, which has been historically under-resourced by philanthropy and the federal government.

Find out more by following this link.

Domestic violence is rampant among Puerto Rico police officers. Few face consequences

María Mari Narváez, executive director of Kilómetro 0, an organization that monitors civil rights violations committed by police, said a culture of loyalty and cover-up exists in the Bureau that protects abusers and tolerates domestic violence in its ranks, making it difficult for women to file or enforce a complaint against her police officer partner.

“The police have to be the most powerful institution in the entire patriarchy,” said Mari Narváez. “You already know that when you go to report it, be it to the police or to court, the abusive police officer will find out what you intend to do probably the same day that you are going to file the complaint.” The activist, who has monitored police violence in Puerto Rico for eight years, said that an officer who is abusive “knows the criminal legal system by heart and knows how to manipulate it against the victim. He has in his favor a system and a culture of absolute impunity.”

Read more in the Miami Herald.

How to be a super board chair

PEG colleague Jon Huggett and Mark Zitter explore some of the core considerations for being an excellent board chair to support an organization, in an article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review.

Super board chairs don’t just consider the near term; they make sure the institutions they serve endure shifts in leadership and deliver social impact that can cascade down the generations.

Read the article here.

The Bridgespan Group and Racial Equity

Co-founder and Managing Partner Jeff Bradach describes Bridgespan’s journey to center racial equity in its work. Here he offers context for the research Bridgespan released to help build a more equitable and just society:

We recognize that we are but a small player in the pursuit of equity and justice. We seek to learn from and elevate voices of leaders of color and equity leaders on how we can support their efforts to achieve equity and justice. We’re deeply indebted to and inspired by such pioneering organizations as the Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity, CHANGE Philanthropy (including ABFE, Hispanics in Philanthropy, Native Americans in Philanthropy, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, and other partner organizations), Echoing Green, National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, Whitman Institute, Racial Equity Institute, Equity in the Center, Camelback Ventures, PolicyLink, Public Equity Group, San Francisco Foundation, and many others.

Read more

Irvine Foundation launches Priority Communities Initiative

The James Irvine Foundation has launched a new initiative targeting Priority Communities: cities in inland California with growing, diversifying populations that represent the future of California.

Read more about the initiative here.

How Foundations Can Make a Difference After Puerto Rico’s Latest Natural Disaster

Karina Claudio Betancourt and Leticia Peguero call on their counterparts in philanthropy to see beyond the challenges in supporting Puerto Rico and recognize the vast opportunities and need - pointing to examples that have already been set in motion.

As we dig out from this latest disaster, we call on our colleagues in philanthropy to step up again and consider giving to groups on the island struggling with the effects of earthquakes that have deeply damaged infrastructure and disrupted Puerto Ricans’ daily lives.

The good news is the pathways for philanthropic support are clearer than ever.

Their Chronicle of Philanthropy article is titled: How Foundations Can Make a Difference After Puerto Rico’s Latest Natural Disaster

[PDF version]

Reflections from PEG Fellow Nicholas Pez

Highlights from an interview with past PEG Fellow Nicholas Pez, a Public Policy major at Stanford University.

CNE Seeks to Rebuild Puerto Rico

CNE, on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, has published an annual report seeking to help rethink, renew and rebuild the island of Puerto Rico at a pivotal time.

“Over the last 20 years, CNE has championed the cause of a more productive and stable Puerto Rico. It seeks to find solutions to today's most pressing and complex economic development problems and inform policy debates by rigorously analyzing hard data and producing robust empirical research.”

Read CNE’s Annual Report Here

Tips for Navigating Thanksgiving Dinner Conversations

A letter from Coro Northern California CEO Laney Whitcanack:

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If your Thanksgiving is at all like mine, there will likely be some awkward family conversations, charged political debates, and not enough gravy! It can be tempting to shy away from difficult conversations—but I urge you to seize the holiday as a chance to learn from multiple generations and viewpoints.* 

In the Coro tradition, this is a moment to explore "what we don't know we don't know." We encourage you to use Thanksgiving as an opportunity to listen, ask questions, and learn. Our country and our communities need this now more than ever. 

Here are resources that may help lay the groundwork for thoughtful—even hopeful—conversations this season:

READ: This Experiment Has Some Great News for Our Democracy (PDF version)

LISTEN: How to Have Constructive Conversations at a Divisive Thanksgiving 

DO: The Thanksgiving Project’s Discussion Activity

Thank you for supporting Coro's enduring commitment to helping leaders work across differences! May your holidays bring wonderful times with family and friends. 

With gratitude,

Laney Whitcanack

CEO & Coro Alumna

*Thanksgiving has a complex meaning in the U.S. For many, it is a day of fond family traditions and memories. It is also observed as a national day of mourning for the United American Indians of New England and other indigenous groups. In true Coro spirit, we believe that acknowledging complexities can help us embrace greater understanding and connection.

The Intercept: Dozens Of Murdered Women Are Missing from Missing From Puerto Rican Police Records

The Intercept: “Castelló, 65, spent her career working to support vulnerable Puerto Ricans, providing services to pregnant adolescents, people with mental health issues, and survivors of childhood sexual abuse. When she retired early in 2009, due to a back injury that made her commute impossible, she found herself looking for a way to keep working. Her colleagues working on issues of violence against women had long struggled with a lack of data, so Castelló began monitoring the news and keeping a running count of women reported dead or missing.”

https://theintercept.com/2019/11/16/puerto-rico-murders-femicide-police/