How We Pursue Change
We believe that real, lasting progress only happens when the conditions that shape people’s lives are just and equitable.
The Packard Foundation works on some of the most persistent challenges of our time, from access to quality health care, to building a U.S. democracy that works for all people, to supporting coastal communities that depend on healthy marine environments.
As we strive toward durable solutions to improve the well-being of people and the health of the environment, we prioritize understanding how inequity and injustice show up in the issues we fund. Racial and gender inequity are among the most persistent expressions of those patterns. That is why we are committed to advancing racial equity in the U.S. and gender equity globally.
Here is what this looks like in practice:
Examine systems, not just symptoms.
We focus on the institutions, policies, practices, and who holds power and resources that shape long-term outcomes, because lasting change requires addressing root causes.
Listen to and invest in people driving change.
Those most affected by the issues bring knowledge and experience that is essential to finding real solutions.
Work in partnership.
We collaborate at local, national, and international levels, recognizing that complex, interconnected problems require diverse perspectives and shared ownership of the work.
Stay grounded in evidence.
We use science, data, and direct experience and knowledge to inform our strategies and remain open to learning and adapting as conditions change.
Commit for the long term.
Systems change is slow and rarely linear. We fund and work on a long horizon, while staying agile to respond when circumstances demand it.
Here is how we put that commitment into practice:
Here is how we put that commitment into practice:
Examine systems, not just symptoms.
We focus on the institutions, policies, practices, and power dynamics that shape long-term outcomes, because lasting change requires addressing root causes.
Listen to and invest in people driving change.
Those most affected by the issues we work on bring knowledge and experience that is essential to finding real solutions. We prioritize their perspectives, invest in their leadership, and take seriously their vision of what a just and equitable society looks like.
Work in partnership.
We collaborate at local, national, and international levels, recognizing that complex, interconnected challenges require diverse perspectives and shared ownership of solutions.
Stay grounded in evidence.
We use science, data, and personal experience to inform our strategies and remain open to learning and adapting as conditions change.
Commit for the long term.
Systems change is slow and rarely linear. We fund and work on a long horizon, while staying agile to respond when circumstances demand it.
A commitment to justice and equity is at the core of our vision.
Only when the institutions, structures, policies, and practices that form the bedrock of societies are just and equitable will true progress be made and sustained. Injustices rooted in history still manifest today and make it so that all people don’t have the same opportunities to realize the dreams they have for themselves and their families.
We have a focused commitment to advancing racial equity in the U.S. and gender equity globally. And through each of our grantmaking initiatives, from reproductive health to ocean and global climate to supporting children and families, we seek to unroot injustices and inequities and reimagine the future.
We celebrate our diversity among our partners, staff, and peers. Across the range of backgrounds, cultures, and individual people who make up the Packard Foundation, we are united in our mission, vision, and values.
A commitment to justice and equity is at the core of our vision.
Only when the institutions, structures, policies, and practices that form the bedrock of societies are just and equitable will true progress be made and sustained. Injustices rooted in history still manifest today and make it so that all people don’t have the same opportunities to realize the dreams they have for themselves and their families.
We have a focused commitment to advancing racial equity in the U.S. and gender equity globally. And through each of our grantmaking initiatives, from reproductive health to ocean and global climate to supporting children and families, we seek to unroot injustices and inequities and reimagine the future.
We celebrate our diversity among our partners, staff, and peers. Across the range of backgrounds, cultures, and individual people who make up the Packard Foundation, we are united in our mission, vision, and values.
Living our commitment
Centering justice and equity
At the heart of our work is a deep commitment to justice and equity. In our grantmaking, we have a dedicated focus on racial equity in the U.S. and on gender equity globally. Internally, we are actively identifying ways to enhance the diversity of our staff and Board of Trustees and to implement more inclusive and equitable practices.
A $100 million commitment
In 2020, the Packard Foundation committed $100 million to provide grants to organizations working to advance racial justice in the U.S.
Increasing diversity from within
We recognize diversity as the representation of all our identities and differences, collectively and as individuals. We understand that all forms of diversity, especially those historically marginalized or underrepresented, are crucial for enhancing overall effectiveness and upholding our values.
Understanding who we fund
We are partnering with Candid to collect, analyze, and share grantee demographic data and deepen our understanding of who we fund. This is a critical first step as we continue to learn more about how this information can help inform important conversations about our grantmaking practices.
Defining our commitment
Our values and definitions were developed collaboratively by staff and trustees to create a shared internal understanding. They provide a common language that guides how we work together, make decisions, and live our commitment to justice and equity across the Foundation.
Diversity
Diversity is the representation of all our identities and differences, collectively and as individuals. We recognize that all forms of diversity, particularly those that have been historically marginalized or under-represented.
Inclusion
Inclusion is an active practice of inviting diverse perspectives and voices by intentionally creating space, acknowledging unequal power in relationships, and making appropriate accommodations for people to meaningfully participate.
Belonging
To belong means that people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and identities feel accepted and celebrated for who they are and feel comfortable expressing their authentic selves.
Equity
Equity is the equality of outcomes across different identities achieved through opportunity and access to information, resources, systems, and power, which yields a world where all members of society can reach their full potential.
Justice
We pursue justice. Justice is fair and equitable access to power and ensuring systems are effective, accountable, and inclusive at all levels. It requires constant practice and ongoing commitment. We seek to recognize the history and lived experiences people carry with them and to address the impact of systemic historical injustices.