Foundations Urged to Provide More Data on Grants to Minority Groups

In a continuing war of words, the Greenlining Institute shot back at The Wall Street Journal’s editorial page for its November 5 opinion article that criticized the Berkeley, Calif., organization’s efforts to make foundations provide data on the race and ethnicity of their beneficiaries.

“Many members of the heavily tax-subsidized foundation world often act like irresponsible hedge funds or subprime investment houses with exorbitant salaries, high-end retreats, and lavish offices. All of this is subsidized by the taxpayer,” writes Greenlining’s incoming executive director, Orson Aguilar in a letter to the editor. The letter was also signed by Len Canty, chairman of the Black Economic Council, in Oakland, Calif.

The letter says that the Journal’s view is inconsistent with its call for financial institutions to be more open to the public.

“Your attack on the Greenlining Institute — an organization representing the aspirations of 110 million minorities — for ‘shaking down’ foundations is misplaced. All we have requested is that foundations award a far larger percentage of their philanthropic dollars to the people who live on Main Street rather than to pet causes that serve the wealthy and elite. As a small part of this effort, we have urged foundations to provide the same race and ethnic data that many Fortune 500 companies regularly share with the public,” write Mr. Aguilar and Mr. Canty.

The Philanthropy Roundtable held a debate about Greenlining’s goals during its recent conference.

Read The Chronicle’s article about members of Congress who share some of Greenlining’s concerns.

What do you think? Do you agree with Greenlining or with the newspaper editorial? Click on the comment link below this post to share your thoughts.