THE BUILDING PHILANTHROPY PROJECT |
FMS'S ORGANIZATIONAL TRANSFORMATION

The intent of this website and the resources that FMS published is to share the learnings and experiences of the foundation since its efforts began in 2003 to emphasize racial and social equity both in its work and governance and in the Mid South region. The foundation's experiences have and continue to be challenging, although FMS believes that it has made significant progress to understand what equity "means;" understand how organizations that are serious about issues of equity initiate an organizational transformation process; and truly integrate social justice and inclusion into its institutional DNA. Its motto? "Change is a Journey, Not a Destination."

And while the transformation is still ongoing, the process has provided FMS with new resources to help it make significant changes in the organization and its practices. More specifically, since 2003, FMS has:

1. established a new mission statement and new priorities and objectives for the organization;
2. enhanced its internal administrative, fiscal, and programmatic policies and procedures;
3. successfully undergone significant transitions in leadership at the chief executive and board levels;
4. developed new recruitment standards and processes for both board and staff positions; and
5. put new criteria and guidelines in place that ensure that its grantmaking practices are more transparent, effective, inclusive, and support the promotion of racial, social, and economic equity in the Mid South.