At a late July meeting, OGF's board adopted a set of diversity principles and agreed to encourage members to do the same. The board adopted the principles, crafted by the national Diversity in Philanthropy Project, at the recommendation of its Inclusion Committee, chaired by Mike Parks. Mr. Parks, president of The Dayton Foundation, explains that, "Strengthening our diversity and inclusion efforts as grantmakers of all types will enhance our effectiveness and impact throughout our local communities and across the state."

OGF President George E. Espy reports that adoption of the principles is the first step toward the goal of increasing diversity in the philanthropic sector, both inside the foundation and in the broader nonprofit community. The principles represent a collective voluntary effort to hold ourselves to a higher standard and to continue an important focus on the importance of diversity and inclusion in helping us more effectively achieve our missions.

The next step is convening a CEO Leadership Circle at a dinner on the eve of OGF's annual conference in October. "OGF will convene between twenty and thirty leaders from a cross-section of Ohio's grantmakers, who will commit to being leaders in a top-down effort to increase diversity," Mr. Espy says. The Leadership Circle will meet twice a year - at each annual conference and in the spring - to report on progress they have made and hold each other accountable.

OGF's actions align with activities of the Diversity in Philanthropy Project (DPP), which is midway through a three-year voluntary initiative designed to provide tools and resources on diversity defined very broadly; diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual identify, disability, educational background, age, geography and religious belief. DPP will continue its efforts by working with seven regional associations of grantmakers, including OGF, to promote diversity within the sector. For more information, please contact Mr. Espy at 614-224-1344.

Read more about the Diversity in Philanthropy Project online at www.diversityinphilanthropy.com.