THE BUILDING PHILANTHROPY PROJECT | ABOUT

The project began in earnest in January 2003 when the foundation brought together 32 people (including the entire FMS board of directors)—diverse in race, age, sex, economic background, occupation, and geography—and challenged them to answer the question "How can Mid South's citizens, its philanthropic organizations, and FMS develop community wealth and promote racial and social equity in the region?" Each individual accepted the role of commissioner in the Mid South Commission to Build Philanthropy and committed to become visionaries, strategists, ambassadors for philanthropy, and advocates for equity to improve the quality of life and communities in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

The Commission worked together for eighteen months and released its report "Where Hope and History Rhyme" with findings and the recommendations that it developed for leaders—especially those who control the resources of the region's philanthropic organizations—to take responsible action to effect fundamental change and to make equity a concrete reality in the Mid South.

In addition to providing leadership to the Commission, FMS worked to prepare itself to become more engaged in issues of racial equity and social justice in the region. On a parallel track to the Commission's work, FMS set the stage to begin an organizational transformation process that would accuate changes in its values, policies, and mission.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
More information on the Mid South Commission to Build Philanthropy is available in the report "Where Hope and History Rhyme."
Also, for greater detail on the progression of the Commission's growth and work, review the seven memoranda included in the appendixes in "More Than Words: Documentation Matters."

More information on FMS organizational transformation process is available in the report "More Than Words: Beyond the Status Quo"