Building Diversity

This study, published in 2009, reports findings on baseline data from 115 California Foundations on the demographic composition of their boards and staffs and on the types of diversity–related data collection and grantmaking in which they are involved.

Key Findings

Comprising analysis of 90 independent staffed-California foundations, and 25 Community Foundations, the report focuses on the internal racial, ethnic, and gender composition of foundation board and staff, while inquiring about practices related to data-collection on grantmaking that benefits communities of color. Among the highlights of the report's findings:

• People of color make up 14 percent of board members, 14 percent of chief executives, 24 percent of executive level staff, and 45 percent of administrative and support staff at the independent California foundations surveyed.


• Among all staff at the surveyed independent foundations, women outnumbered men by more than two to one – white women make up 41 percent of staff, followed by women of color (28 percent), white men (18 percent), and men of color (13 percent).


• Among larger independent foundations (with assets of $100 million or more), nearly three-quarters (73 percent) said they always or sometimes ask granseekers or grantees to provide information about the racial and ethnic composition of the population(s) they serve.


• One quarter of staffed independent foundations (25 percent) have policies regarding staff diversity, while 17 percent of all independent foundations surveyed have policies regarding board diversity.


• Few foundations had “specific policies, goals, or guidelines” in place regarding either grantmaking that serves people of color (13 percent) or grantmaking to organizations led by people of color (8 percent).


• Among 25 California community foundations surveyed, levels of staff and board diversity were found to be similar to those of the independent foundations surveyed, although community foundations were more likely to have policies regarding board diversity.