Delta Philanthropy Forum

Vision and Pillars

The Delta Philanthropy Forum works to advance a resilient and racially equitable Delta region. Under its two pillars of work, Investing in Capacity: People and Systems, and Collective Impact and Collaborative Funding, the forum seeks to create sustainable funding pipelines for community and economic development initiatives.

Background

• 2018 - Funders and associated organizations joined to build stronger relationships and alignment in the 38 counties of the Arkansas and Mississippi Delta region, and to work collectively to improve outcomes for the people who live there.
• 2019 - Partners agreed to join forces to create a formal network that could strengthen individual and collective philanthropic efforts. The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis joined the effort as a neutral convening partner to help advance the network’s formation.
• 2020 - Following national calls for racial justice and the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the group solidified its vision to advance a more economically resilient and racially equitable Delta region.

Participation

The Delta Philanthropy Forum consists of members representing national and regional foundations, intermediaries and community partners in the region. Members support improving economic outcomes, including community and economic development, education and racial equity. The group is led by a steering committee with 14 members.

For more information on the Delta Philanthropy Forum, contact Sydney Diavua at Sydney.Diavua@stls.frb.org.

NOTE: The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis is not a grant-making organization.