Center for the Future of Arizona Selected to Participate in the Advancing Racial Equity Community of Practice initiative, Led by The Bridgespan Group and Supported by the Walmart Foundation
The Advancing Racial Equity Community of Practice is a six month-project in which CFA will work with The Bridgespan Group to support our journey to advance racial equity, both in our organization and in our work
Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) is excited to announce our participation in a new community of practice with other nonprofit organizations focused on advancing racial equity. Over the next six months, leaders from across the organization will work with The Bridgespan Group to strengthen our approach to advancing racial equity both internally and in our external work. The Advancing Racial Equity Community of Practice, led by The Bridgespan Group, is funded by the Walmart Foundation.
“We are deeply grateful for this opportunity as racial equity is a strategic imperative to achieving our mission of bringing Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for our state,” said Dr. Sybil Francis, President & CEO of CFA. “We have learned that Arizonans agree on a shared vision for the state called The Arizona We Want, which includes fair, just, and equitable systems. We believe our state will thrive when all Arizonans can equitably partake in our state’s successes, resources, and opportunities. Our research also shows that further work is needed to fully realize our ideals, and advancing racial equity is an essential part of CFA’s commitment to creating equitable outcomes in all we do to achieve The Arizona We Want.”
CFA is participating in the cohort alongside nine organizations from across the country: American Red Cross, Education Design Lab, Goodwill Industries International, National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), Team Rubicon, The National FFA Organization, The Recycling Partnership, Winrock International, and World Wildlife Fund.
The Walmart Foundation is providing philanthropic funding to CFA. The funding will assist in supporting CFA as we collaborate with others to share best practices and learnings on our work to prioritize equity.
“We can make a greater impact when we come together to support each other’s journeys to advance racial equity,” said Kirstie Sims, Senior Director, Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity. “We heard from many nonprofit organizations we work with, at varying sizes and points in their racial equity journey, that they wanted to learn and share best practices, knowledge, and challenges with others. The Bridgespan Group’s leadership of the Advancing Racial Equity Community of Practice provides that space.”
About Center for the Future of Arizona
Center for the Future of Arizona is a nonprofit, nonpartisan "do-tank" that brings Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for our state. Through survey research & reports, Arizona Progress Meters, and impact initiatives & programs, CFA listens to Arizonans to learn what matters most to them, shares trusted data about how Arizona is doing in those priority areas, brings critical issues to public attention, and works with communities and leaders to solve public problems. CFA leads impact initiatives and programs across the state and has deep and ongoing engagement in education, workforce development, and civic health, recognizing how essential these are to advancing economic prosperity, quality of life, and opportunity for all. Learn more at arizonafuture.org.
About The Bridgespan Group
The Bridgespan Group (www.bridgespan.org) is a global nonprofit that collaborates with social change organizations, philanthropists, and impact investors to make the world more equitable and just. Bridgespan’s services include strategy consulting and advising, sourcing and diligence, and leadership team support. We take what we learn from this work and build on it with original research, identifying best practices and innovative ideas to share with the social sector. We work from locations in Boston, Johannesburg, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, and Singapore.
About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart.org represents the philanthropic efforts of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation. By leaning in where our business has unique strengths, the Walmart Foundation works to tackle key social issues and collaborate with others to spark long-lasting systemic change. Walmart has stores in 27 countries, employing more than 2 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. Walmart.org is helping people live better by supporting programs that work to accelerate upward job mobility for frontline workers, address hunger and make healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality, and build strong communities where Walmart operates.