New Strategic Direction
February 2010
Since 1992, The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation has honored the legacy of its founders and their commitment to help people with the least access to resources reach their full potential. During these 18 years, we have been privileged to support the work of many exceptional nonprofit organizations that are making a positive impact with individuals, families, and communities throughout Minnesota.
2010 marks a new chapter in the Foundation’s history. In the Twin Cities metropolitan area, we will transition from our current broad grantmaking priorities to a new focus on helping people in poverty achieve economic stability. We will specifically concentrate on effective strategies in three areas:
- Helping people secure employment and attain living wage jobs,
- Improving education and training for tomorrow’s workforce, and
- Ensuring access to safe and affordable housing.
By targeting our Twin Cities grantmaking dollars on economic stability, we hope to have a greater impact on the most pressing issues facing our communities. This narrowed focus also reflects the Foundation’s strategic decision to re-allocate its resources to strengthen grantmaking in the communities where our trustees reside.
In addition, the Foundation is facing a reduction in its grantmaking budget. Despite gains in 2009, the endowment is 20 percent below its peak value and we simply cannot continue to fund our current, broad portfolio of projects with reduced assets.
During this transition year, we will direct our grantmaking resources in the Twin Cities toward three purposes:
- Exit Grants: The Foundation will commit a significant portion of its 2010 grantmaking budget to exit grants for select grantee organizations that no longer fit our funding focus. These grants will be made by mid-May.
- Current Commitments: The Foundation will approve a grant round in late February and honor several multi-year commitments for 2010.
- Legacy Grants: The Foundation will continue to reflect the legacy of our founders and support several long-term grantees that are combating discrimination and advancing equality for all members of our community.
As a result, we will not accept any new grant applications for the remainder of this year. New grant guidelines and specific funding strategies for 2011 will be announced by the end of the year.
During the next several months, we will work with many of our community partners to further refine our new focus on helping people in poverty attain economic stability. We encourage you to watch our website for organizational updates and opportunities to be engaged in our process.
The Foundation has been privileged to work with so many outstanding organizations that are leaders in their respective fields. Your efforts inspire us and we thank you for your partnership and continued commitment to the health and vitality of our community.
We welcome your feedback about this new direction.
Amy Crawford
Executive Director
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