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Stories of Philanthropic Leadership in Advancing Regional and ...

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peer work, we can reestablish a significant role forresearch—the <strong>of</strong>ten forgotten component <strong>of</strong> themovement as we move to action,” he says. “Part <strong>of</strong>what drove the movement was some pretty<strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g studies on how <strong>in</strong>equity plays out <strong>in</strong>communities. Research <strong>and</strong> organiz<strong>in</strong>g need to goh<strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong> h<strong>and</strong>.” Anthony sees future success tied tothe people the movement can serve. The broaden<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>terest <strong>of</strong> the middle class <strong>in</strong> improv<strong>in</strong>g regionalequity must be articulated <strong>and</strong> effectivelycommunicated, because the language used to discussregional equity concepts is not yet accessible enoughto wide audiences.A Role for Philanthropy <strong>and</strong> Other Partners“There really are these three k<strong>in</strong>ds <strong>of</strong> basicregionalisms: economic, environmental, <strong>and</strong>regional equity, which positions itself to be able toaddress better social disparity,” Pastor postulates.“Foundations can be <strong>in</strong>stitutions that ensure there isa serious equity component. They can <strong>in</strong>creaseengagement, build capacity, encourage <strong>in</strong>vestment,reach bus<strong>in</strong>ess groups. These are th<strong>in</strong>gs foundationscan br<strong>in</strong>g forward to the table; they can weavetogether <strong>in</strong>stitutions.”Starrett po<strong>in</strong>ts to several steps that he has seenfoundations take <strong>in</strong> his organization’s role as aphilanthropic aff<strong>in</strong>ity group committed to smartergrowth policies <strong>and</strong> practices <strong>and</strong> equity issues. “Weknow foundations can provide direct, core operat<strong>in</strong>gsupport for proactive organiz<strong>in</strong>g, effective<strong>in</strong>termediaries, <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>stitutions that generatestrategic applied research. We know that this k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong>grantmak<strong>in</strong>g works. Now we need to see more <strong>of</strong> itthroughout philanthropy.”Anthony agrees that there is a specific role forphilanthropy <strong>in</strong> advanc<strong>in</strong>g regional equity. “Ageneration <strong>of</strong> regional equity demonstrations thatconnect a policy framework to outcomes <strong>and</strong> largerconstituencies is develop<strong>in</strong>g. These demonstrationscan be used to convene actors, build networks,encourage cross-issue collaboration, <strong>and</strong> take race<strong>and</strong> class out <strong>of</strong> the closet.“The political climate <strong>of</strong> the day supports thedom<strong>in</strong>ance <strong>of</strong> narrow <strong>in</strong>terests that underm<strong>in</strong>ecommunity,” notes powell. “<strong>Regional</strong> equity is say<strong>in</strong>gthat we have to have a collective shared communitythat exists consistently. Public education,<strong>in</strong>termediaries, <strong>and</strong> other organizations that connectequity to the greater public good can get crucialsupport from philanthropy.”Foundations are not the only critical partner as themovement goes forward. As Blackwell notes,“<strong>Regional</strong> equity must connect to the <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>of</strong> theprivate sector <strong>in</strong>order to besuccessful. Thereforedur<strong>in</strong>g this nextperiod, we must bebuild<strong>in</strong>g thoserelationships, f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gthe language to speakto bus<strong>in</strong>ess …craft<strong>in</strong>g w<strong>in</strong>-w<strong>in</strong>scenarios becomesessential.” Part <strong>of</strong>that process will bemak<strong>in</strong>g a strongercase that the policies<strong>and</strong> strategiesembraced by regionalequity actually work. “We have to demonstrate howwe measure regional equity statistically,” declaresRusk, an accomplished researcher <strong>in</strong> his own right.“We have to br<strong>in</strong>g some real rigor to def<strong>in</strong>e what weare try<strong>in</strong>g to do—are we gett<strong>in</strong>g there?” Pastoragrees. “This movement has made quite a lot <strong>of</strong>progress. A critical reflection now opens up the wayfor a lot <strong>of</strong> excit<strong>in</strong>g work.”“Foundations can be<strong>in</strong>stitutions that ensurethere is a serious equitycomponent. They can<strong>in</strong>crease engagement,build capacity, encourage<strong>in</strong>vestment, reach bus<strong>in</strong>essgroups. These are th<strong>in</strong>gsfoundations can br<strong>in</strong>gforward to the table; they canweave together <strong>in</strong>stitutions.”—Manuel PastorBlackwell <strong>of</strong>fers a caution as the work goes forward.“Issue-based agendas will not ultimately procure thegroundswell needed for transformation to a societywhere everyone can participate <strong>and</strong> prosper. <strong>Regional</strong>equity has to catch fire the way the suburbanization<strong>of</strong> America did, or the environmental movement. Weneed a vision that builds a society that focuses oncaptur<strong>in</strong>g the best everyone has to <strong>of</strong>fer. That is astall an order as it gets. The <strong>in</strong>termediate steps comeout <strong>of</strong> our work today, but ultimately that is whatwill have to happen.”Part II: Perspectives on Advanc<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Regional</strong> <strong>and</strong> Neighborhood Equity8

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