Mitchell Kapor Foundation Weblog

This year, more than ever, underrepresented people of color have come out in record numbers to get involved in the national political process. The Mitchell Kapor Foundation is thrilled to be able to support the efforts of organizations that have done much in the way of amplifying that involvement and in helping to make sure that all our votes are being counted.

In an earlier blog, we mentioned the important work of Video the Vote in documenting any irregularities that may take place as we all try to make our votes count. Also, for a second presidential election cycle, the Mitchell Kapor Foundation is hosting the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law as they corral as many legal professionals as possible throughout the nation to answer calls and assist voters on Election Day. During the 2004 election cycle, this organization mobilized 25,000 trained volunteers, including 8,000 legal volunteers, to monitor polling places, educate voters, provide legal support to poll monitors, and to answer the 1-866-OUR-VOTE voter services Hotline.

As Election Day gets closer many have been looking to us for ways to help out with this historic election. First of all, if you are eligible to do so, be sure to register to vote. In California, your voter registration must be postmarked no later than October 20, 2008 to be eligible for this year’s presidential election!

For those who are looking for various ways to volunteer to support this year’s election, CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION!

Photo by Korea Resource Center via Flickr.

This past Tuesday we co-hosted a reception here in our offices for the Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative, a project of Redefining Progress. Members of the EJCC Steering Committee from locations across the country came to the Bay Area for a two-day update and strategy session; the reception provided an opportunity for local funders and guests to meet steering committee members and hear more about EJCC’s work.

Last year when we first started to learn about EJCC, I was impressed by their focus on developing emerging leadership to address climate change issues on behalf of people who otherwise would largely be left out of such conversations, namely people of color and low-income communities. In certain ways they have two audiences: a) bringing diverse representation to a largely white and wealthy discussion on climate change solutions, and b) building advocacy movements in communities of color to push for energy policies that benefit everyone (and don’t leave economically marginalized people bearing the brunt of global warming’s ill effects). When we first heard of their work, we saw a natural alignment with our Green Access grantmaking priorities.

Among many other achievements, EJCC sponsored a delegation of staff and youth to the annual United Nations Conference of Parties/Meeting of Parties on climate change in Bali, Indonesia. They authored (with Redefining Progress) and introduced a landmark report, A Climate of Change: African Americans, Global Warming, and a Just Climate Policy for the U.S., at a U.S. Congressional briefing this past July. They also shared with us their impressive Climate Justice Corps Training Manual, full of information vital to any emerging and established climate justice activists. And I always appreciate talking with the fierce and forthright Nia Robinson, EJCC’s Director.

Thanks to the terrific EJCC/Redefining Progress staff for making the reception a success. We’re happy to have supported EJCC as they carve this path to a green future for us all.

Photos by Tiffany Price and Michaela French.

Yesterday at lunch we were lucky to host Ian Inaba and the team from Video the Vote, one of our new grantees through Citizen Engagement Lab. I first became acquainted with Ian’s work back in 2006 when we sponsored an in-house screening of his documentary American Blackout, which chronicled the highly-suspect 2004 elections irregularities in Ohio. It’s very very powerful and disturbing work.

By mobilizing monitors to polling sites, Video the Vote continues to capture what are at best inefficient and inconsistent elections administration practices, and at worst very upsetting trends in voter suppression. Ian shared a few sample videos with us and discussed their plans and partnerships for this year’s elections. Establishing broader awareness of these issues is critical to ensuring the intergrity of our voting process. They’re nonpartisan and need volunteers! Check ‘em out!

Back in August, the Mitchell Kapor Foundation co-sponsored Green Collar Jobs: Green Economy and Workforce Development – A Learning Agenda. This summit in the state capital provided a forum for various sectors to share the progress they’ve made in preparing for and advancing the state’s green economy.

Over 80 people attended, from Speaker Emeritus Fabian Nunez, to Labor and Workforce Development Agency Secretary, Victoria Bradshaw, to the Bay Area’s “clean tech” entrepreneurs, community college leaders, foundations, and grassroots organizations. The summit was organized by the EarthHouse Leadership Center and funded by the Tides Center, the Bank of America Foundation, and the San Francisco Foundation as well as the Mitchell Kapor Foundation.

The summit was a terrific opportunity for state agencies to talk with private foundations, for nonprofits to talk with regional collaboratives, and for private sector employers and investors to talk with public agencies – in other words, for all of  us to reach across our respective silos. In doing so, we developed a deeper understanding of how we can work together to build a more sustainable and equitable green economy in California.

The work of the summit continues on September 30th with a meeting of local foundations hosted by the Tides Center. The meeting will further develop a learning and action agenda for foundations to examine best practices and make the most effective investments in California’s green economy.

For more information about the summit, please visit the Funders’ Network for Green Collar Jobs.

Mary Newson helped to organize the summit on behalf of EarthHouse and is currently working with the Foundation on systems issues.

Check out the job description and send us your materials if interested!

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend an event sponsored by one of our BBCBI grantees, Reality Mentor, Inc.  With a theme of “We Believe in You,” the organization celebrated its Black Boys College Bound Mentoring Program that provides black teenage boys with mentoring, youth leadership development, and college readiness activities to help them succeed in high school and continue to and through college.

I really enjoyed meeting the wonderful Reality Mentor, Inc. staff and supporters.  It was enlightening to see their enthusiasm for such very important and meaningful work.  I was also able to witness something that foundations love to see, collaboration amongst non-profit organizations.  Reality Mentor, Inc. and Be A Mentor signed a Memorandum of Understanding to start a new partnership which will allow Reality Mentor, Inc. to enhance its services, including the ability to better track students’ progress through high school and college.

I’m excited to be working with such dedicated people. If any of your organizations have similar gatherings that you would like us to attend, feel free to let me know!

Benjamin Jealous is preparing to take the helm of the NAACP as the youngest President in the organization’s 100+ year history. The Foundation, together with Bay Area Blacks in Philanthropy and Northern California Grantmakers, hosted a fantastic reception at the Museum of the African Diaspora to share well wishes and good luck to our Bay Area colleague.

Photos by Aled Ordu.

Three years ago, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the accompanying chasms it exposed impelled me to think about how I might be able to work harder and and more broadly for justice. The following year, I was fortunate to meet former Vice President (and future Nobel Laureate) Al Gore, who presented his Inconvenient Truth in our offices (he’s buddies with Mitch and Freada). And soon thereafter, the awesome Van Jones joined us for a lunchtime talk on eco-apartheid and the burgeoning green movement.

These three events were major forces in shaping my interest in the climate crisis and “green justice.” From early on, the Kapors have been committed to dedicating ongoing resources to respond to these critical issues. Together we figured out a frame for ensuring that people of color and low income communities would be included in the green movement in proactive ways, and our Green Access program was born.

We’re looking for a Grants Officer to oversee our Green Access portfolio. I think we’re off to a great start, and want to continue the momentum that we’re building, particularly around green jobs. If you’re interested, check out the job description and send us your materials. As Gustav has just shown us, we’ve made some progress but there’s so much more to do.

Flickr photo credit: katrina remembered IV; “Not as seen on TV”. Originally uploaded by notnA.