By DUANE M. ELLING The philanthropic partnerships behind a project that helps broaden state budget and tax policy debates were recognized earlier this year at the 60th annual conference of the
Council on Foundations (COF).
The role of those partners in the success of the State Fiscal Analysis Initiative (SFAI) was acknowledged with COF’s
2009 Award for Distinguished Grantmaking through Collaboration. The SFAI helps state-level organizations produce rigorous policy analysis and promote tax and budget policies that are responsive to the needs of low- and moderate-income families.
The COF award -- one of the organization’s highest honors -- celebrates joint philanthropic efforts that make significant contributions to the field. It was one of several awards announced at the recent conference held in Atlanta.
Steve Gunderson, COF president and CEO, noted that recipients of the 2009 awards “have demonstrated the commitment and vision needed to address the important issues affecting society and helping to advance the common good, not only in our local communities, but throughout the world.”
The SFAI was launched in 1993 with the support of the Mott,
Annie E. Casey and
Ford foundations. The list of funders has since grown to include the
Kellogg and
John L. and James S. Knight foundations; the
Open Society Institute; the
Public Welfare Foundation; and the Stoneman Family Foundation, as well as individual donors and regional funders in participating states.
Accepting the COF award for the SFAI partnerships were Katherine McFate, program officer in Ford’s Governance and Civil Society Unit, and Benita Melton, program officer in Mott’s Pathways Out of Poverty Program.
COF is a nonprofit membership association of more than 2,100 independent, operating, community, public, and company-sponsored foundations, and corporate giving programs in the United States and around the globe.
The Washington D.C.-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities coordinates the SFAI and provides technical assistance to members through its State Fiscal Project. The SFAI began in 11 states in 1993 and has since grown to 38 states. More information is available at
www.statefiscal.org.
Mott support of the SFAI has totaled $7.9 million since 1993.