Core Competencies

Over the past nine decades the Fund has diversified its strategies for accomplishing its mission and achieving its guiding motto of Education for Human Development. While the Fund’s programs, activities, zones of intervention and means of support have changed over time, the following core competencies remain the cornerstone of its success.

• As a convener of diverse, often discordant and marginalized groups:
  The Fund has a long history of providing a neutral and safe arena for engaging multiple stakeholders in discussions on poverty, disenfranchisement, and race relations. The Fund maintains vibrant networks built upon respect, trust and confidence that continue to explore options for social development and conflict resolution.
• As a think tank:
  Shared knowledge lays the framework for teamwork and accountability. Through the research done by its Fellows, the Fund generates intellectual capital that is relevant and meaningful to its stakeholders. The Fund boasts approximately 35 Fellows who maintain individual projects that include support for public universities, under resourced communities, and education for community service.
• As an operating fund:
  The Fund raises money and makes grants on behalf of foundations and other donors. By providing efficient and effective grants management, grant recipients are unburdened and can more effectively pursue their designated goals, allowing the right recipient to receive the right services at the right time.
• As a service provider:
  The Fund solicits contracts from a variety of government and private sector partners to manage programs and provide services in keeping with the Funds’ mission.
• As an advisor to individuals and organizations:
  The Fund provides accurate, timely and practical information and counsel, with an emphasis on discretion, tactfulness and reliability, which requires that the Fund remain alert to sources of bias and conflicts of interest.
• As an incubator:
  The Fund nurtures the growth of new ideas and organizations to increase their organizational effectiveness and capacity. By supporting fledgling institutions and guiding them in clarifying their missions, visions, and values the Fund provides “in-kind” support, knowledge and expertise as these new organizations build a base of support, develop programs, manage contracts and raise money in an effort to achieve independence.
• As an advocate:
  The Fund voices the concerns of under-resourced communities as well as marginalized groups to leverage their ability to promote change, reconciliation and rehabilitation.