 |
A Message From Grantmakers Without Borders' Board of Directors2010 is a landmark year for Grantmakers Without Borders: It was ten years ago, in March 2000, that Gw/oB was launched at a funder gathering in Boston, when a group of internationally oriented funders, frustrated at the very low amount of philanthropic dollars going to international issues, put their resources on the table to create an organization whose mission would be to increase funding for global social change. Ten years later, Gw/oB has taken its place as an important force in international grantmaking. Key issues have changed—in 2000, it was all about economic globalization, while today the climate crisis has taken preeminence. Trends in philanthropy have shifted—in 2000, the talk was about venture philanthropy, while today, the buzz words are "philanthro-capitalism" and "social entrepreneur". And the pool of resources going to international issues has grown—from less than 2% in 200 to nearly 5%. Along the path of these past ten years, Gw/oB has held true to a vision of philanthropy rooted in justice and equity. We have brought forth an outstanding menu of programmatic activities. We have built a dynamic community of passionate global grantmakers who make Gw/oB their home. Today, after 10 years, Gw/oB can rightly boast that we have made a difference in the field of global philanthropy and in the lives of grassroots communities throughout the global South. Ten years of building bridges and partnerships; of teaching and learning; of shifts in the regulatory landscape and changes in how the world observes and understands the global community. We are excited to be celebrating this milestone! As we celebrate these successes, we are also bidding farewell to someone who has played a critical role in Gw/oB these past ten years. John Harvey, one of Gw/oB's founders and its first Executive Director, is stepping down from his position as Executive Director to pursue new opportunities. Aside from taking an idea and turning it into the dynamic reality that is now Gw/oB, John has been the organization's strongest advocate as well as most honest critic. John always pushed the organization to take a deep look at itself to ensure that we grew at the pace, and in the direction, that was appropriate. He has never settled for Ôgood enough.' He has worked tirelessly to build our membership and to offer amazing programming that is responsive to the needs and desires of the international grantmaking community. Under John's leadership, accomplishments of the past 10 years include:
John will remain with Gw/oB through this summer while Gw/oB's Board of Directors takes steps to secure an Interim Executive Director. Gw/oB's Board is appreciative of John's generosity and commitment to Gw/oB and his affirmation that he will help us make this a healthy transition and passing of the Gw/oB baton. The first ten years of Gw/oB are truly something to celebrate, and while we are sad for the loss of John as our leader, we are all looking forward to the next ten productive and exciting years! We want to acknowledge and thank John for all that he has done for the organization, stewarding us through the good times and the bad and challenging all of us to be the best grantmakers we can be, with our eyes wide open to the injustices around the world and to how we can be the stewards of positive solutions. Sincerely, Grantmakers Without Borders' Board of Directors For questions or comments to Grantmakers Without Borders' Board of Directors , please contact Co-Chairs Shalini Nataraj (snataraj@globalfundforwomen.org) and Tanya Dawkins (dawkinst@mindspring.com).
Grantmakers Without Borders 1009 General Kennedy Ave., #2 San Francisco, CA 94129 Phone 415.264.4370 |
