Courtney Bourns | Executive director, Grantmakers Council of Rhode Island
1. When you were first brought aboard at the council, board President Thomas Brendler said you will help grow and strengthen the council’s membership base. How do you plan to do that? The council’s mission is to grow the breadth, effectiveness and impact of philanthropy in the Ocean State. Building on our 20-year history, I will design creative programming and more opportunities for collaboration. I also plan to attract more funders and philanthropists into our network – family foundations, corporate giving programs, individual donors, Donor Advised Fund holders – there is a place in the council for all who want to make their funding more impactful.
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2. What is the value of a membership association for the philanthropic community? As in any field, practitioners in philanthropy need spaces where they can hone their craft and learn from their peers. Philanthropy takes many different forms, from individual giving to corporate social responsibility to private foundations; everyone’s work is enriched when practitioners have the opportunity to look up from their specific issue or geography and see what other philanthropic entities are doing.
3. Where do you feel the state’s philanthropic sector is lacking and how will you help make it stronger and more effective? We are fortunate to have a dynamic and engaged philanthropic community in Rhode Island. I see opportunities to do more in two areas. First, it is raising awareness about philanthropy and its role in creating positive change. Secondly, it is increasing collaboration among philanthropic organizations and across sectors. When we’re better coordinated and more strategic, our funding has a greater impact and our nonprofit partners’ work is more effective.
4. Is there a community initiative that the council plans to increase its attention on? If so, what is that? The council’s role is to lift up and amplify the community initiatives funded and led by our members and their grantee partners. We’ll continue to do that, and we’ll also continue our commitment to expanding practices around racial justice, gender equity and trust-based philanthropy, cross-cutting issues that have been a focus for council members for the past several years.
5. What new initiatives do you plan to have the council launch in the next 12 months to better serve the community? I hope to build a Grantmakers Council community that is vibrant and engaging, where members get a lot of value out of learning and relationships. The main focus for the next year is high-quality programming and networking opportunities for members of the philanthropic community. The stronger the relationships and connections among our members and across sectors, the better chance we have to build a thriving and equitable Rhode Island.
