PEG helped the Cambridge Community Foundation (CCF) develop a strategic plan to advance economic mobility and social cohesion in Cambridge, Massachusetts. As part of PEG’s work with CCF, PEG engaged CCF staff and board in interviews, committees, and large group meetings and retreats, and also interviewed numerous Cambridge city, civic, and institutional leaders (especially within the University and corporate/biotech communities).

• CCF’s new strategic priorities are reflected on the organization’s website

• CCF Annual Report 2023

As the community foundation of an innovation city with growing inequities, we knew we needed to think big to solve our city's most pressing social problems, so we turned to PEG to help us chart a path forward. PEG’s expert team inspired us to think broadly and ambitiously, as well as practically. Together we developed a strategic framework that's rooted in our values, harnesses bold thinking and the power of collaborative action to focus on economic mobility and social cohesion – the two inextricably linked pillars of our work. 

The PEG team was a delight to work with and John's continued partnership with us is a powerful indicator of his passionate commitment to racial and social equity. Thank you PEG team for a wonderful partnership!

— Geeta Pradhan, president of the Cambridge Community Foundation

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a nonprofit organization that provides sexual health care in the United States and globally. Planned Parenthood is a trusted health care provider, an informed educator, a passionate advocate, and a global partner helping similar organizations around the world. PPFA delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of people worldwide and has 49 affiliates across the United States.

PEG helped PPFA redesign its overall planning and budget process and also supported national office leaders as they piloted a new strategic framework to better allocate resources against topline federation-wide goals. PEG stewarded the first-ever review of the Federation Long Range Goals, a 7-month project that involved engagements with hundreds of staff, Board leaders and CEOs from across the Federation. Alongside the National Office, PEG helped to generate a revised set of strategic long-range goals that reflect the shared aspirations of the Federation’s work & impact. The Long Range Goals served as a direct input into the National Office five-year strategic plan. 

PEG has also worked with PPFA and ACLU leadership to design and facilitate convenings for Chief Operating Officers from diverse movement organizations (ACLU, CRR, Greenpeace, LCV, NAF, NWLC, PPFA). The COOs launched a Community of Practice that focuses on cross-organizational knowledge sharing and action. 

• Planned Parenthood reckons with its legacy in an opinion essay by Alexis McGill Johnson, President of PPFA

“It has been an incredible pleasure working with Public Equity Group over the past year. We engaged PEG to support our organization in strategic and financial planning as well as to design and facilitate key stakeholder meetings. The breadth of experience and skill of the PEG tean was second to none. They were versatile in their ability to prompt strategic thinking and decision making, while simultaneously working with our team to achieve very practical results and deliverables. I particularly appreciated PEG’s consistency throughout their work with us and their unique focus on conducting thoughtful close-out reviews at the end of projects. I am glad to give an unqualified recommendation for PEG.”

– Melvin Galloway, former Chief Operating Officer, PPFA

PEG has also supported strategic planning with several Planned Parenthood affiliates:

Founded in 1948, the San Francisco Foundation is one of the nation’s largest community foundations — a grantmaking public charity dedicated to improving life within a specific local region. Their mission is to mobilize resources and act as a catalyst for change to build strong communities, foster civic leadership, and promote philanthropy in the San Francisco Bay Area.

PEG’s team of consultants (including John Newsome, Rita Louh, Esther Kim, and Jean Cooper) supported the Foundation to develop a set of “guiding principles” for its equity strategy; synthesized Bay Area equity research and data (including feedback from Bay Area community members and stakeholders), and related implications; and developed scenarios and ultimately strategies for TSFF equity work going forward. John and Rita continue to support the Foundation through program strategy and grant-making implementation, leadership coaching, and organization-wide change management.

• The San Francisco Foundation: Advancing Equity…How We Created Our Equity Agenda

“‘We were looking for someone who understood what we were trying to do, even though we couldn’t fully articulate what we were trying to do,’ said Chief Operating Officer Dee Dee Brantley. The foundation found it in Public Equity Group (PEG).”

• The San Francisco Foundation Strategy Frameworks

• The San Francisco Foundation: Advancing Equity: Reimagining the Ways a Community Foundation Delivers on Its Mission

• The Stanford Social Innovation Review: Listening To The Community To Reimagine How A Foundation Delivers On Its Mission

• San Francisco Business Times: Can Philanthropy Pull a Country […] Closer Together?

Two Feathers' mission is to empower Native American youth and their families to achieve their full potential by offering culturally-affirming mental health and wellness programs in Humboldt County. PEG engaged with Two Feathers Native American Family Services in support of their strategic planning process to strengthen programming and infrastructure and expand evaluation and knowledge sharing of mental health and social services approaches.

• Two Feathers NAFS Strategic Plan 2023

“Two Feathers worked with Public Equity Group (PEG) and [Executive Coach] Cynthia Chavez on developing a comprehensive 3-year strategic plan. We are enthusiastic about what's ahead for Two Feathers and our community!  

PEG colleagues supported leaders from four organizations that were funded by Open Society Foundations (OSF): Center for a New Economy; the ACLU of Puerto Rico; the University of Puerto Rico law school; and the Center for Investigative Journalism. The aim was to launch a new organization and develop strategies to advance progressive change and long-term civic capacity across Puerto Rico. The effort was based on OSF’s “place-based” work in Baltimore, and undertaken in close collaboration with Open Society Foundations’ leaders and board.

• Nuevo Dia: EA Sues the PR Government

• EA and CNE Launch Hurricane Recovery Fund

• Telemundo: EA Holds “Virtual” Budget Hearing

• EA Report on PR Corporate Tax Giveaways

• Espacios Abiertos Website

“John Newsome’s work during our 9-month strategic plan process was extraordinary. He had to craft the strategic plan for a new NGO that does collaborative work with other non-profit organizations in Puerto Rico. He was able to understand the complex environment we are working in, learn about our partner organizations and reconcile differing visions to help us craft a plan that honored the mission of the organization while re-focusing our objectives and fine-tuning our strategies. His commitment to the work was above and beyond what we expected—which is a clear testament to his professional abilities and his commitment to help organizations have a real impact on the social justice issues he cares deeply about…”

– Nuria Ortiz, Executive Director, Espacios Abiertos

Meyer Memorial Trust accelerates racial, social and economic justice for the collective well-being of Oregon’s lands and peoples. Established in 1982, Meyer has awarded roughly $840 million in grants and program-related investments to more than 3,380 organizations in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Today, Meyer works to dismantle barriers to equity in education, housing and the environment and to improve community conditions so that all Oregonians can reach their full potential using a mix of strategic, proactive and responsive investments, including grants, loans, initiatives, commissions for research and support for policy advocacy and a range of community and nonprofit engagement strategies.

PEG supported Meyer in strategically reassessing its grantmaking, economics, and internal operations and restructured its programming to remove barriers between issue areas. The organization established a new strategic framework with three pillars: “changing systems, supporting communities, and strengthening movements.” The board changed its level of involvement in directly approving grants and monitoring programs while Meyer took several steps to create an internal culture that mirrors its orientation towards racial justice.

• Case study of Meyer Memorial Trust’s equity journey

• Meyer Memorial Trust website

The Buffett Early Childhood Institute emerged from the shared vision of the University of Nebraska leadership and Susie Buffett, a longtime philanthropist and champion of early childhood education and development. The mission of this University of Nebraska-based Institute, which has an endowment of $100 million, is to make Nebraska “the best place in the US to be a baby”—particularly for low income children of color, and children in rural NY communities.

John Newsome, Jean Cooper, and PEG analysts supported the Institute to develop a framework and strategy for closing the early childhood achievement and opportunity (or “equity”) gap, and mobilizing the state’s prominent university system, philanthropic and business communities, media, and local communities in support of this mission.

• Buffett Institute Strategy Frameworks

• Buffett Institute Three Year Report

• Buffett Early Childhood Institute Website

“Working with John Newsome and Jean Cooper has been extremely helpful to us a start-up with great ideas, high expectations, and talented people. John led us through a theory of change process that brought us together as a staff, helped us articulate our goals, and enabled us to clarify and focus our energies. Wherever John went and with everyone he met, he communicated his knowledge, skill, and professionalism. He has been a wonderful facilitator and an equally valuable ambassador for all we do. My staff and I are very grateful for the opportunity to work with him.”

–  Dr. Sam Meisels, Founding Executive Director

Since 1937, The James Irvine Foundation has provided more than $1.98 billion in grants to nonprofits working across California, including $105 million in 2019. The singular goal of the foundation’s grantmaking is a California where all low-income workers have the power to advance economically.

The James Irvine Foundation has launched a new initiative targeting Priority Communities: cities in inland California with growing, diversifying populations that represent the future of California. These cities had a disproportionate number of jobs that paid low wages and offered few protections or opportunities to advance; now there is an opportunity – and imperative – to build more inclusive economies that are both equitable and better prepared for the next crisis.

• Expanding Grantmaking in Priority Communities

“Leaders and communities [in inland California] exhibit immense assets and are critical to California’s future. Community input was a critically important factor in developing this strategy. With help from partners, Engage R&D and Public Equity Group, we convened community leaders from Fresno and Salinas in 2019 to better understand local needs and opportunities — and to inform our strategy. We developed criteria to determine where to expand, such as cities with populations greater than 100,000, cities that serve as economic hubs for up-and-coming regions, and cities with local efforts to develop inclusive economies.”

  –  Jessica Kaczmarek, Initiative Director

The Buffett Fund is among the best regarded early childhood education entities in the nation. The Fund has helped scale Educare early childhood schools across the country, and has helped advocate for increased early childhood education access and funding nationally.

From 2016 to 2018, a PEG team supported the Buffett Fund in reviewing its program and organizational priorities, including its governance relationships with key partners, in part through the creation of new relationship management and performance management processes and tools. PEG’s work with the Buffett Fund has resulted in notable shifts in the Fund’s operations (particularly project management) and relationships.

“We needed help thinking through key strategic issues associated with one of our major investments… We engaged PEG to help us evaluate the situation and provide recommendations for moving forward. We were impressed with [the PEG team’s] thoughtful and data informed approach to our problem as well as their understanding of our unique culture and work style. Our initial work expanded to include strategic advice on evaluating our entire grant portfolio, asking probing questions about our priorities as a funder and providing strategic suggestions regarding organizational effectiveness that have helped to propel us forward.”

–  Eric Buchanan, Director, Strategic Partnerships

Since 1991, Education Through Music (ETM) has partnered with under-resourced schools to provide music as a core subject for all students. Education Through Music utilizes music education as a catalyst to improve academic achievement, motivation for school, and self-confidence, and nurtures the skills that can help students thrive in the future.

PEG was retained by ETM’s senior leadership and Board to help the organization understand likely paths for growth in New York and nationally. ETM had grown very rapidly in the preceding years; after completing our diagnostic work, we identified areas in which the ETM’s growth had outpaced its organization (including recruiting and staffing, project management, and alignment between teachers and the central program staff). We recommended that the organization take a brief hiatus from growth while making necessary investments in staff, the organization, and their evaluation effort. We also recommended that ETM recruit several key positions including that of Chief Operating Officer. The Board and leadership endorsed these recommendations and launched an initiative to create the structures required for growth. After a hiatus, during which time a COO was hired, ETM began to again increase its footprint in New York and was able to do so in a way that created few of the past organizational strains that expansion had previously entailed. ETM has formalized its national expansion effort and is presently on the verge of opening new programs outside of New York.

• ETM Strategic Plan, 2018-2022

• ETM Case (A): Costs and Growth at a Scaling Nonprofit

• ETM Case (B): Seeking Operational Excellence at a Scaling Nonprofit

• ETM Impact Report, 2018

• Education Through Music Impact (website)

“Our leadership and Board were immediately impressed with PEG’s broad and deep knowledge, succinct and direct communication style, and pragmatic approach to planning. They tailored their analytical approach to our questions and capacity, and budgeted time and money efficiently towards helping us develop the answers we needed. We especially praise the lead consultants on our project, John Newsome and Warner Fite, for their acumen, integrity, enthusiasm, leadership, and outstanding project management skills. They were able to develop extremely strong rapport with Board and staff very quickly. They deftly managed the balancing act of becoming trusted extensions of our team while maintaining proper professional boundaries. The result was an efficient staff and board driven diagnostic and planning effort that boosted morale and cohesion in and of itself.”

– Katherine Damkohler, Executive Director

Based in Northern California, Canal Alliance is a nonprofit champion of immigrants who are challenged by a lack of resources and an unfamiliar environment.

PEG’s team of consultants (including Rita Louh, Abigail Stewart-Kahn, and Jean Cooper) supported Canal Alliance leadership, Board and staff in developing and aligning on a strategic vision for the organization as it transitioned to new executive leadership after 35 years of operations. PEG's work included an analysis of existing programs and impact, synthesis of community needs and stakeholder feedback, development of future program strategy and initiatives, and deep engagement with the staff and Board throughout the process, leading to shared ownership across the organization of the strategic vision.

“To be successful… we needed a strategic partner with the right combination of experience and skills in organizational cultural change, impact and a clear commitment to equity and justice.  We chose to work with PEG after interviewing several consultants. PEG demonstrated… all the technical skills and human qualities necessary to embrace an organizational transformation. PEG was a fundamental part of our process and their contributions were invaluable to our success in developing and articulating our long term vision and plans.” 

– Omar Carrera, CEO  

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation (GMF) was founded on the premise that generosity can unlock an individual’s potential and strengthen the community for everyone who lives here. Achieving their mission for greater Milwaukee,“a vibrant, economically thriving region comprised of welcoming and inclusive communities that provide opportunity, prosperity and a high quality of life for all,” requires specific focus on identifying and eliminating barriers to opportunity so all people can reach their full potential.

PEG helped GMF develop a framework for racial equity and inclusion, featuring targeted strategies within the interconnected and mutually reinforcing ideas of Connected People and Thriving Communities. Fundamental to this commitment is employing culturally responsive practice by inviting people to be at the center of decisions that affect them and ensuring their ability to participate in designing, building and implementing specific strategies to address the conditions or systems they seek to change.

• A Journey in Racial Equity and Inclusion

• Initiatives and approaches

  • Community Leadership

  • Thriving Communities

  • Connected People

  • Early Childhood Education

“The PEG team has a remarkable talent for articulating ideas with a clarity and focus that welcomes people into the conversation and drives the debate toward tangible solutions. Following an intensive two-year learning journey with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Board and staff to explore how the Foundation could further advance racial equity and inclusion in our region, we sought guidance from PEG on operationalizing our generational commitment to equity. Using an approach that was thorough and well-defined without being prescriptive, John Newsome, Stacey Smith, and their team engaged staff, Board and stakeholders in a process of discovery that built ownership and understanding, leading to strategy development. The PEG team helped the Foundation develop a deeper understanding and capacity to analyze data and community research, as well as our own knowledge of the community, to set strategy for population-level change. They didn’t construct our framework; rather, they fostered our competency to develop a framework we could embrace and sustain. John and Stacey are both skilled facilitators of organizational change efforts of significant breadth and magnitude. Equally important, they are wonderful to work with, offering guidance, encouragement and insight along the way.”

– Ellen Gilligan, President and CEO, Greater Milwaukee Foundation

The Millennial Action Project (MAP) activates Millennial policymakers to create post-partisan political cooperation. As a national, nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to activating millennial policymakers, MAP gives our nation’s young leaders the resources and support to develop and pass innovative policy solutions — and forge productive partnerships on the issues affecting the youngest generations of Americans. Working in concert with lawmakers, MAP has advanced post-partisan legislation on issues including criminal justice reform, gun violence, entrepreneurship, technology, 21st century skills training, veterans' employment, immigration, and more — including the introduction of the first bipartisan legislation on ridesharing and social impact bonds.

The PEG team helped develop a strategic growth plan for MAP, which formed and provides support to the Future Caucus in the US House of Representatives, and also helped start and now supports nearly 30 State Future Caucuses around the US.

• Millennial Action Project 2020 Impact Report

“PEG came in at an important time for Millennial Action Project (MAP), helping us design our Strategic and Operational Plan. This plan has become our roadmap to take our cross-partisan work with young legislators to the next level. Throughout the process, John and Warner were a quick study and a great team. They conducted their work with the highest level of professionalism, kindness, and enthusiasm; rigorously gathered data; and made thoughtful recommendations that are propelling us in the right direction. I was also impressed with how deeply John and Warner understood MAP’s ethos and mission—they were truly passionate about the project and it showed in their work. Our entire team was grateful to work with John and Warner. And because no good deed goes unpunished, they will continue to be part of the MAP family for the long haul.”

- Steven Olikara, President and CEO

PBLWorks builds the capacity of teachers and school leaders to design and facilitate quality Project Based Learning. Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects.

PBLWorks hired PEG to help develop a regional “School Leader Networks” expansion strategy. PBLWorks is now piloting its first School Leader Networks in CA and MA (PBLWorks’ School Leader Networks are regional, two-year, cohort-based programs designed to help build leaders’ capacity to create ideal conditions for implementing and sustaining high-quality PBL in their schools). Previously, PEG helped PBLWorks develop a five-year strategic plan that placed equity at the center of the organization's work.

• PBL School Leader Networks

• School Leader Networks Press Release

• PBLWorks Website

“Public Equity Group has been an outstanding partner for PBLWorks. Beginning and ending with our shared commitment to educational equity, we enjoy working with John, Kimberly and the entire PEG Team. PEG facilitated two processes that has led to expanded growth and deeper impact for the students in the schools and districts where we partner. The plans also assisted us in building new internal organizational capacities and raising millions of dollars to support our mission.”

–  Bob Lenz, CEO

Based in New York City, Chess in the Schools (CIS) fosters the intellectual and social development of low-income youth through chess education. CIS has taught more than 500,000 of New York City's most underserved children, inspiring them to greater achievement.

PEG supported CIS with development of a five year strategic plan to better position the organization for long-term sustainability and growth, entailing several organizational objectives, including: aligning programs to impact, scaling program evaluation, and optimizing communications capacity.

• Chess in the Schools’ Strategic Vision

Building Broader Communities in the Americas (BBCA) is a partnership between CFLeads (a network of community foundations); the Inter-American Foundation (an independent U.S. government agency created by Congress); and The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. PEG worked with BBCA to develop a 3-year plan focused on strengthening the relationships and infrastructure needed to support local and cross-border collaborations. This included policy initiatives and new funding mechanisms that improve philanthropic support to — and expand the assets of — transnational communities.

• Newsletter: BBCA’s New Strategic Plan and Structure

PEG helped BBCA revamp their governance structure, led by a new Steering Committee made up of funders and community foundation networks in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. PEG also supported BBCA in gathering input from a Planning Team comprised of community foundation representatives, researchers, funders, philanthropy serving organizations and others committed to BBCA’s mission.

The Peter Kiewit Foundation creates opportunities for people to live in and help build strong and vibrant communities, achieve economic success, and enjoy a high quality life, moving towards a future with engaged citizens and thriving communities. 

A team of PEG consultants supported the Peter Kiewit Foundation (NE), which awards about $25 million annually in grants. PEG gathered, analyzed, and synthesized research and data about people, places, and issues in Nebraska; conducted leader and stakeholder interviews and focus groups across the state (culminating in a data and stakeholder feedback summary report); and prioritized key areas for potential focus, based on the Foundation’s unique positioning. PEG helped codify a new strategy that increased the Foundation’s explicit focus on addressing “inequality of opportunity”—e.g., education and workforce development, community development, leadership development, and planning/policy advocacy. PEG provided subsequent advising on strategy, implementation, and board governance.

• Peter Kiewit Foundation Strategic Plan

• Peter Kiewit Foundation

• PEG Data and Interview Highlights

• Omaha World Herald: New Plan, More Goals for Kiewit Foundation

• The Peter Kiewit Foundation Website

“We engaged PEG to help us develop our foundation’s first strategic plan. They did an excellent job of gathering the data, asking the right questions, and guiding the process. But what really distinguished their work was how apparent it was to our team, to our board, and to our community how invested they were in our success and how passionate they were in making sure our work would lead to real impact… We emerged with a strong plan that aligned our board and staff and that we are now ‘living our way into’. Thanks PEG!”

– Jeff Kutash, Executive Director, The Peter Kiewit Foundation (former Managing Director, FSG San Francisco)

Tipping Point is a non-profit based in San Francisco, that breaks the cycle of poverty in the Bay Area for the 1.7 million people who don't have the resources to meet their basic needs.

PEG’s team helped Tipping Point Community (a grant-making organization, modeled after NY’s Robin Hood Foundation, that has raised more than $260 million since 2005 for Bay Area community organizations) develop an impact framework and strategy that redouble the organization’s focus on long-term impact, and aligns Tipping Point’s investment strategies, grantee support, and internal accountability metrics accordingly (e.g., more funding and TA over a longer period of time; greater investment in R&D to surface truly “breakthrough” solutions and increased accountability for progress). Previously, PEG teams supported Tipping Point to develop a grantee feedback report (based on comprehensive grantee surveys and interviews) and helped Tipping Point refine and focus its approach to grantee technical assistance.

• Tipping Point Grantee Feedback Report

• Tipping Point Community Website

“[PEG’s team members] are sharp, diligent collaborators who bring a mix of big picture thinking and a real understanding of on-the-ground challenges. They continue to provide invaluable support and guidance to our team as we use the strategy to better serve the 1.3 million people who struggle to meet their basic needs in our community.”

– Daniel Lurie, Founder & CEO

Open Society-U.S. is committed to building a vibrant, inclusive, and more just society in the United States. OSF (US) combines grantmaking, advocacy, fellowships and field office work to promote full participation in the nation’s civic, political, and economic life—particularly for communities that are historically marginalized—and to ensure that the core institutions of civil society are effective, equitable, and accountable to the public. OSF (US) works at the federal, state and local level, and is guided by the power of local voices in several efforts: the Open Society Institute–Baltimore; work to rebuild Puerto Rico; and ongoing efforts in a number of primarily South and Southwestern cities and states.

PEG has supported OSF’s “Open Places Initiative” in Puerto Rico, part of a multi-year project intended to increase marginalized communities’ influence and access to economic, civic, and political opportunities and also supported strategy development for OSF’s Puerto Rico project, which funds leading grassroots organizations and initiatives around the island and across the Puerto Rican diaspora in the US.

• The Chronicle of Philanthropy: How Foundations Can Make A Difference After Puerto Rico’s Latest Natural Disaster

“I was very excited to build on our work in Baltimore and launch the Open Places Initiative… I am proud to be associated with what [OPI grantees] have accomplished. While we will only know the true measure of your success many years from now, I hope you feel encouraged by what you have already achieved to reduce discrimination and instability… I also give thanks to Terri Bailey, Prue Brown, Manuel Pastor, John Newsome and the regional funders who contributed to our early thinking, provided helpful critiques along the way, and share [OSF’s] enthusiasm for all [OPI grantees] can accomplish.”

- Diana Morris, Director, Open Places Foundation (Open Places Initiatives & Baltimore OSF office) 

GLIDE is the largest, progressive megachurch in the United States and is known for its commitment to “radical inclusivity.”

John Newsome, Rita Louh, and other PEG team members supported GLIDE’s leadership and board in developing the organization’s first-ever comprehensive strategic plan, spanning both the Church and Foundation (programs). It culminated in a renewed focus on racial, economic, and social justice advocacy, and fostered deep relationships and “transformative impact” with San Francisco’s poorest and most marginalized populations. John, Rita, and their colleagues also worked closely with GLIDE leaders and trustees to support the organization’s governance and succession plans (and continue to provide periodic advisory support).

• San Francisco Chronicle: Glide Church + SF Foundation team up for Equity discussion

• GLIDE Memorial Church and Foundation Website

• San Francisco Examiner: GLIDE’s passionate voice for justice

• Rabbi joins GLIDE’s Social Justice Center

“The team at Public Equity Group (PEG) helped GLIDE create a new strategic framework to integrate the Church and Foundation visions. [John, Rita and Tom] facilitated a process that was inclusive, broad and expansive, yet focused enough for us to implement. What made the work so effective was that the PEG team took the time to understand our culture – what makes us tick – and used that understanding to help create a plan that was consistent with who we are, what we are good at, and who we serve. We highly recommend PEG for your strategic planning work.”

– Karen Oliveto, Senior Pastor; Rita Shimmin, Co-Executive Director; Kristen Growney Yamamoto, Co-Executive Director

The Kapor (pronounced KAY-por) Center aims to make the technology ecosystem and entrepreneurship more diverse and inclusive. They are particularly interested in positive social impacts for communities that have historically been on the periphery of access to opportunity, participation and influence in the United States.

John Newsome supported the Kapor Foundation (now the Kapor Center) on numerous equity strategy projects. John supported the Foundation’s expanded focus on “supporting organizations that provoke social change in communities of color, en route to equality.” He also supported the creation and scaling of the College Bound Brotherhood, an initiative that combines grant funding, TA, convening, and movement building to support Bay Area African American males to aspire to, prepare for, and attend college; and has advised Foundation leaders regarding ongoing operations, to ensure consistency with the Foundation’s social justice vision and values. He also has worked within the Foundation’s portfolio to support organizations and leaders to undertake rigorous strategy development and implementation planning.

• BBCBI Strategy Research

• White House Announcement

• Responsive Philanthropy: Small Foundation, Big Impact

• The Kapor Center for Social Impact Website

“[PEG founder] John Newsome uncovered germane data, and consistently provided high-quality and high-level information, enabling [the Foundation] to lead our trustees through discussions about our direction.”

– Cedric Brown, CEO