Diana R. Sieger is the president of the Grand Rapids Commmunity Foundation. For more information, visit Diana's President's pages or view her biography.

Contact Diana at:

RSS

Other Blogs of Note

President's Point of View: To fund or not fund - that is ultimately the question

May 3, 2007

I relish feedback about the Foundation. No person or organization is immune to both negative and positive comment. It is the only way I can learn about the perceptions that people have about the community foundation.

One perception that lingers in spite of reality, is that the Foundation does not fund faith based organizations. What many may not realize is that a majority of human service agencies have been or are formed by churches or other congregations. The way social services were delivered in our country prior to the creation of the Social Security system in the 1930’s, was through churches.

Indeed in our community, many congregations are deeply involved in the delivery of services. I have been around for a long time … and remember the many meetings in the 1970’s about how to better organize basic services through churches and we fast forward to 2007 and this continues. In fact, this isn’t a new phenomenon; just one that sees a resurgence from time to time. I think it is great that this occurs! We certainly know that the government can’t do it all and that the nonprofit and faith based communities are needed and welcome.

That brings me to the criticism stating that the Grand Rapids Community Foundation does not fund Christian based organizations - that is the more specific comment. We don’t hear much from persons who practice other faith systems. However, we know that there are a multiplicity of faiths in this community - Jewish, Buddhism, Muslim and many, many more.

We are not a private foundation who can determine a specific faith group for focus; we represent the entire community and need to assure that our funding will go to organizations that serve all people and will not force their beliefs on persons seeking their services.

Another comment is that we may not fund organizations that have the word Christian in their name. That is simply not the case. Take the case of Wedgwood Christian Services and the following comes directly from their website: Wedgwood Christian Services is a distinctively Christian, professionally excellent community of caring, dedicated to helping young people live productive and fulfilling lives. What I am impressed by is this statement that Wedgwood makes very clearly: We don’t push our beliefs on anyone, but we do believe our faith has a lot to do with the energy and commitment that makes us the last best hope for some of the most challenging cases.

The Foundation has provided more than $100,000 toward their innovative school “Lighthouse Academy” focusing on youth who need the special attention that Wedgwood can offer and help students to excel in an environment that supports their success. In fact, in the past decade, more than $6.4 million has been expended to organizations that are known as Christian based, faith based, “religious” organizations.

So if you are wondering why - it is because these organizations provided quality, needed services without proselytizing. We respect all faiths, all facets of our human existence. If your organization was denied by the Foundation, don’t lean on the notion that it was because we don’t fund Christian and/or faith based organizations. It may be because you want others to believe in what you believe or that you require people to sign their names to the fact that they are practicing a particular faith in order to receive services. OR more to the point, your request may not fit our priorities or is not a well thought out proposal. We are open to all and want to assure that access to all is demonstrated by the programs and organizations we fund.

If you have any questions, by all means let me hear them!