The John Feather Equity in Aging Philanthropy Award honors funders who are committed to creating a more equitable philanthropic sector through their operations, programs, investments, and grantmaking.
John Feather was a founding Board member of GIA and is the immediate past CEO.
The Call for Nominations goes out in June, and the award is presented at the GIA Annual Conference in the fall.
Point32Health Foundation funds equity-focused solutions related to healthy aging, access to healthy food and behavioral health in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. In their nomination form, Point32 described how grantees have challenged them to deepen their commitment, center equity in all that they do, and affirm a focus on equity in aging. They also noted that they invest in community-led solutions, “recognizing that those most affected by inequities are in the best position to define the problem, design appropriate solutions and describe success.”
Metta Fund works to advance the health and well-being of older San Franciscans through grantmaking and community partnerships. When asked to describe a specific practice that others within our sector might adopt, Metta Fund responded that they strive to “overtly embed equity into the reason we exist as an institution,” a process they note “requires testing your assumptions—listening to new voices, tolerating discomfort, questioning what you ask of your nonprofit partners and WHY and asking everyone in your organization to see themselves as part of supporting a fundamental shift to operating in a new paradigm.”