State Street Foundation
Racial Equity and Social Justice Study ofGrantee Partners
Overview & Methodology
Winter 2021

Information Classification: General

Background and Methodology• In the fall of 2020, The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI) assessed State Street Foundation’s
current grantee portfolio in Boston and Quincy, Massachusetts, to better understand theefforts of grantee partners to advance racial equity and social justice. The focus of the study
was our headquarters communities where most of the Foundation’s annual grantmaking
occurs.
• Utilizing an online survey, TPI collected data from organizations about:o Their work funded by State Street Foundation;o Racial demographics of those served by grantee partners;o Racial demographics of each grantee’s board, senior leaders, and staff; ando Input on current and potential racial equity and social justice initiatives more broadly.
• After testing the survey instrument with a small group of grantees, TPI disseminated thesurvey to a total of 91 State Street Foundation grantee partners. These organizations
represent States Street Foundation’s 2019 and 2020 budget years. Of this group, 86 (95%)
responded.
• TPI’s analysis of survey responses is based on information provided in November 2020 andassumes the accuracy of information self-reported by grantees.
The Philanthropic Initiative | www.tpi.org

Information Classification: General2

Executive Summary and Key Themes
TPI’s analysis focused on racial demographics of grantee leaders and of populations served;
whether grantees explicitly incorporate racial equity into their mission or goals; and capacity
needs to advance racial equity and social justice. Key findings include:• Leadership:o Among the CEOs and EDs of State Street Foundation grantee partners, the majority(63%) identify as white, 15% identify as Black or African American, and 8% identify as
Hispanic or Latinx (as of November 2020).
o Of grantees led by a white CEO or ED, over one third have a documented succession
plan in place which could allow for greater diversity in future leadership.
• Populations served:o The majority (85%) of those served by grantee partners identify as BIPOC1. Of this
BIPOC population, 44% identify as Black or African American and 34% identify as
Hispanic or Latinx.

1: BIPOC is defined as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color

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Information Classification: General3

Executive Summary and Key Themes (continued)• Explicit focus on racial equity and social justice:o Most State Street Foundation grantees (87%) explicitly incorporate racial equity into
their organization’s mission, theory of change, or programmatic/strategic goals.
• Capacity needs:o The two most pressing capacity needs to advance racial equity and social justice areleadership (e.g., governance, strategic planning, organizational culture), cited by 30%of grantees, and marketing and fundraising, cited by 26%.

The Philanthropic Initiative | www.tpi.org

Information Classification: General4CEOs and EDs – Racial and Ethnic Demographics1Among the CEOs and EDs of State Street Foundation grantee partners, the majority (63%) identify as
white. Looking specifically at the 35% of CEOs/EDs who identify as BIPOC, 41% identify as Black or
African American, 22% identify as Hispanic or Latinx, and the remainder identify as Asian,Multiracial, or Other.
Racial and Ethnic Demographics of CEOs and EDs

100%
Other orChoose Not toDisclose

Percent of Respondents

80%Bi- or Multi-racial

Other orChoose Not toDisclose

BIPOCAsian60%
Hispanic or Latinx

40%WhiteBlack orAfrican American

20%0%State Street Foundation Grantee
CEOs and EDs

State Street Foundation Grantee
BIPOC CEOs and EDs

1: “CEOs and EDs” refers to CEOs, EDs, presidents, and principals.

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Information Classification: General5

Population Served – Racial and Ethnic Demographics
On average, 85% of those served by State Street Foundation grantees identify as BIPOC. Of this
BIPOC population, 44% identify as Black or African American and 34% identify as Hispanic or Latinx.
Racial and Ethnic Demographics of Those Served by Grantee Partners
100%

Choose Not toDisclose

OtherBi- or Multi-racial

WhiteAsian

Percent of Respondents

80%

American Indian orAlaska Native
Native Hawaiian or
Other Pacific Islander

Hispanic or Latinx

60%
BIPOC

Development Senior Staff

40%
Black orAfrican American

20%

0%

Race/Ethnicity of Overall Participants1

Detailed Race/Ethnicity of BIPOC Participants2

1: N = 82 (Four grantees either did not have reporting systems to collect this information or chose not to answer this question.)
2: N = 81 (Of the 82 grantees who reported BIPOC participation, one grantee was unable to provide further information about race/ethnicity.)

The Philanthropic Initiative | www.tpi.org

Information Classification: General6Racial Equity Incorporation into Mission or Goals
Most State Street Foundation grantees (87%) explicitly incorporate racial equity into theirorganization’s mission, theory of change, or programmatic/strategic goals.
Is racial equity explicitly incorporated into your organization’s mission, theory ofchange, or programmatic/strategic goals?
100%

NoPercent of Respondents

80%

60%

Yes
40%

20%

0%

The Philanthropic Initiative | www.tpi.org

State Street Foundation Grantee
Partners

Information Classification: General7