Maggie Gunther Osborn has been the president of the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy (CCP) since May 2013. She leaves CCP on June 30 to assume the post of chief strategy officer at CCP’s national organization, the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers (FORUM), on August 1.
Before joining the Forum in Washington, D.C., I want to offer my deep thanks to the extraordinary members, partners and colleagues who have worked alongside me. In them I have found leaders who are investing their social, moral, intellectual, political and financial capital every day on behalf of the people of our state. Connecticut is full of hope and promise because of their dedication and talent, and I have been fortunate to have served as part of this community of learners and leaders. With them, I have indeed learned a great deal. Let me share a few thoughts that have been on my mind as I translate my experience in Connecticut to our national association.
Inequity
There is a moral imperative that has risen to the forefront in the field of philanthropy to acknowledge and fix the inequity we see around us, because we know doing good is not good enough. Connecticut has the power to face these challenges. Connecticut can build a future of strength in diversity and innovation by looking deep into each of our communities and lifting up the value of each individual. When the disaggregated data reveals the wealth gaps, educational outcomes for children of color, the racial and economic inequity and the great and widening divides between communities, we recognize there are mountains yet to climb. Philanthropy continues to grow – and will – but it will never be the answer to filling the gap left behind by budget cuts and increasing needs. It is not government or philanthropy or the private sector that will be the answer – it is all three working with communities to co-create solutions to these challenges. Our partnerships are essential and they are beginning to lead the way through initiatives like the Bridgeport Bridge to Success, the Partnership for Strong Communities and CCP’s Early Childhood Funder Collaborative.
The Common Good
Nationally, we know that it is important to have discussions about who we want to be, not just who we have been. It’s important for Connecticut as well. What do we value collectively? How do we recognize and embrace a shared understanding of the common good? The 169 towns of Connecticut offer people a feeling of belonging and connection to their towns, which is heartening – however, it also lends itself to maintaining borders that divide and encouraging neighbors to look within rather than across communities and the state. Modern life demands that we understand that geographic borders are less and less relevant in how we live, work and play within a state or region. Economic realities require us to look at economies of scale within our public systems and develop smarter business and service models. The opportunity to regionalize, given the economic realities, is important – but what is more important is that it enables us to know our neighbors and seek common solutions to shared challenges. These opportunities for maximizing the assets will benefit everyone in the state. I am inspired by work in this area such as the Long Island Sound Funder Collaborative. We need more efforts like this nationally and regionally that build on common goals and common ground.
Play to Our Strengths
Connecticut has unique and valuable assets, including three that will help secure a more promising future: a current rethinking of the manufacturing economy in our communities, including playing on the advantage of small enterprises, the maker movement and bespoke work; the few, but historically strong, successful business sectors; and continued innovation for the future. CCP has partnered with our members and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston to help launch the Working Cities Challenge where small cities will have an opportunity to come together, across sectors, to develop a new plan for their future prosperity. This is an inspiring effort for future collaboration and growth.
Future Growth
Philanthropy, government and the business sector continue to learn to work with communities across the state. They are lifting up the voices of those they seek to serve and co-create opportunities, shared values and solutions. Connecticut will continue to cherish the history of their towns; hopefully, we will look across fences to create regional and statewide solutions that overcome the challenges of inequality. The leadership of philanthropy is essential to this work, bringing strategy, resources and a longer view. Members of CCP are coming together to grow their ability to work alongside communities to support their learning, advocacy and action. These efforts will help build strength and hope across the state and begin to grapple with Connecticut’s deep inequity. In my new national role, I will take what I have learned from our work together in Connecticut on tackling inequality and combine it with learning from across the country — to the benefit of us all. In this state, with all the beauty, challenges and opportunity it represents, philanthropy will continue to lead toward a brighter future for all of Connecticut’s residents so – as the state motto proclaims — we may each grow where we are planted.
Thank you for your enduring commitment to the power of good. I look forward to continuing to support your work as your partner from my new role in Washington.