The Gifford Foundation: President's Message


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Board President's Message

Executive Director's Message

Information prepared by the Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corporation for the 2004 Annual Report

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT MOWER

This year we came to consensus on what I will call our "theory of community change." We've coalesced around the premise that communities change when the people who live in them feel and take responsibility for trying to make things better, as well as feel and show confidence that their trying will make a difference. Both of those feelings are fragile. They require nourishment, but with a light touch. And it may be best to provide that support in a direct way, as an "embedded funder." Hence, we continue our Foundation Initiative on the South Side, which you can read about elsewhere in this report. It is our current test of this theory of community change.

I have had my own theory of community change for years. I've said it often, but this is the first time I'm writing it down. Communities change because of the actions of middle people - people not too far down to be dismissed, and not too far up to be disdained. Think about it for a while and see if you agree with me.

Aside from all the sometimes painful and prolonged philosophical discussions we've had, we've pushed further in becoming better organized. Our new Audit Committee is doing great. Our Finance Committee looks forward to better news at every meeting. The Planning Committee has found its purpose. The Program Committee is working smoothly, and (as I write this) we're anticipating our annual board self-assessment, led by the Committee on Trustees. Our board members have taken responsibility and shown confidence. And so we struggle to stay "in the middle," where all the action is - trying to make a difference.

Judith C. Mower

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