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Stories of Philanthropic Leadership in Advancing Regional and ...

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summary evaluation <strong>of</strong> MSDI found that network<strong>in</strong>goccurred at different levels: between communities,between communities <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>termediaries, as wellbetween donors <strong>and</strong> grantees. Many cross-sitemeet<strong>in</strong>gs that have been held <strong>in</strong> the region have beenattended not only by grantees but also bypolicymakers, community leaders, <strong>and</strong> other donors.In retrospect, W.K. Kellogg realizes that a key factor<strong>in</strong> MSDI’s success has been ensur<strong>in</strong>g thatopportunities were created for all stakeholders tonetwork, <strong>in</strong>teract, <strong>and</strong> share ideas.Furthermore, the Foundation also realizes thatcoach<strong>in</strong>g “is an <strong>in</strong>dispensable part <strong>of</strong> the MSDImodel.” 54 It <strong>in</strong>vested resources <strong>in</strong> creat<strong>in</strong>g a cadre <strong>of</strong>15 community change coaches, one for each <strong>of</strong> the15 community teams work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> 27 <strong>of</strong> the 55counties <strong>and</strong> parishes <strong>in</strong> the region. The coacheswork with <strong>in</strong>dividual grantees <strong>and</strong> guide them“through the challenges <strong>of</strong> strategic plann<strong>in</strong>g,coalition-build<strong>in</strong>g, program implementation, <strong>and</strong>evaluation.” 55 The coaches themselves work with eachother as a group <strong>and</strong> learn from each other. Thecoach<strong>in</strong>g model has <strong>in</strong> effect created a resourcenetwork for the region that did not previously exist.care about you, then that provides <strong>in</strong>spiration <strong>and</strong> afeel<strong>in</strong>g that we can move forward.”54“What We’ve Learned,” available at www.msdi.org/learned/.55“Ripples <strong>of</strong> Change <strong>in</strong> the Delta 2003-4,” available atwww.msdi.org/documents/ripples<strong>of</strong>change.pdf.Contact PeopleGloria Dickerson<strong>Regional</strong> Program Coord<strong>in</strong>atorW.K. Kellogg Foundationgloria.dickerson@wkkf.org(601) 944-4170Frank TaylorProgram Director, Food Systems & RuralDevelopmentW.K. Kellogg Foundationfct@wkkf.org(269) 968-1611Bishop Alv<strong>in</strong> B. WalkerExecutive DirectorRENEWAL, Inc.bishop.walker@renewal<strong>in</strong>c.org(318) 387-0686Oak wetl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>in</strong> the Arkansas Delta, at the Louisiana Purchase State Parknear Br<strong>in</strong>kley. (Source: Mid South Delta Initiative).The Foundation recognizes that to move towardsbuild<strong>in</strong>g a successful regional equity movement, ithas to work with <strong>and</strong> through community <strong>and</strong>regional networks <strong>in</strong> order to connect pockets <strong>of</strong>activism, advocacy, resistance, <strong>and</strong> hope. Dickerson,W.K. Kellogg’s key staff person <strong>in</strong> the Delta,summarizes that the Foundation’s presence <strong>in</strong> aregion pervaded by a sense <strong>of</strong> hopelessness has been<strong>in</strong>strumental <strong>in</strong> lift<strong>in</strong>g people’s spirits. As sheexpla<strong>in</strong>s, “People <strong>in</strong> the area need to know that thereis someone out there that can <strong>of</strong>fer some hope, <strong>and</strong>once you have a national organization say<strong>in</strong>g that weREGIONAL OPPORTUNITYPart III: Section 3: Connect<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>Regional</strong> Opportunity 114

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