Philanthropy leaders place newspaper ads in response to police shootings

Some of the nation's largest foundations took out full-page newspaper advertisements Sunday, urging readers to share their stories of hope as the United States grapples with "discord and despair" following a wave of shootings of police and ordinary citizens.

"Every American generation must face defining moments," said the ads in the New York Times, Washington Post and other major newspapers. "We are facing one now."

The ad was signed by 39 presidents of some of the nation's largest foundations, including Kate Wolford of the McKnight Foundation and Eric Jolly of Minnesota Philanthropy Partners.

"Today our nation needs more bridges of dialogue and fewer barriers of division," said the ad. It encouraged readers to share their stories of hope in their community at #reasonsforhope.

Jolly said he signed on for the advertisement following the July 6 fatal shooting of St. Paul's Philando Castile and after weeks of discussion with the city of St. Paul, Black Lives Matter and the broader community. That included community leaders "deeply engaged in addressing racial disparities and tensions."

"Like so many Minnesotans, I am deeply distressed over the persistent issues and painful events that challenge our sense of safety, values and community," Jolly said.

"In every meeting we learned the power that came from sharing what each of us is doing individually," Jolly said. "So our deepest wish for the ad is to help our nation to aggregate the stories of hope, of effort, of care, that give us reason to believe our nation will break through this miasma of racial tension and build a future of hope and possibilities for our children."

It was important for foundations to "get on record and start this conversation," said Wolford. Many foundations historically have funded initiatives of racial equity and justice, she said. In fact, the headline on the ad simply stated: "From Our History: Hope."

Signatories included the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

"The recent events clearly are flash points and very unsettling," said Wolford. "This is meant to spotlight the actions of building community and equity. We hope more people will be motivated and engaged."

By Monday afternoon, tweets on #reasonsforhope included news of a prison offering college classes again, a drug reform deal that could reduce penalties for some, creative art projects — and many general words of support.

The ad encourages readers to visit foundation websites (such as www.mcknight.org and www.mnpartners.org) and to learn about organizations working for change and "support them, volunteer or get involved."

Jean Hopfensperger • 612-673-4511