2023 was quite the year for the Julian Grace Foundation! The organization went through a period of change with the addition of nine new employees including a new Executive Director, Director of Impact, Director of Administration, three Senior Program Officers, a Next Generation Program Officer, a Communications Associate, a Grants Associate, and the promotions of two existing staff members from Grants Associate to Grants Manager, and Program Associate to Program Manager. The cultivation of this extraordinary group of people was no small feat. Now that much of the team has been here for at least six months, it was time to begin the development of the organization’s next Strategic Plan. The Board and staff gathered for a retreat in June of 2023, where a facilitator joined us, to help us understand the Foundation’s past and how we move forward. The emerging Strategic Plan was born from our work and conversations during that weekend together.
Early Fall saw us taking our annual board trip with a visit to Montgomery and Selma, Alabama. We had the great fortune of selecting the Civil Rights Trail Tours as our guides for this momentous journey. Our travel took us through the significant museums and locations that helped tell the story of slavery in our country. I believe that all of us left changed. We were led by Leon Burnette, a truly extraordinary man with first-hand experience in the struggle for equity and justice who offered us the gift of sharing some of the stories that needed telling. We were very sad to hear that Leon died suddenly on Christmas night. A voice that we were very privileged to hear has gone silent and with it a trove of knowledge and love. I hope that we as an organization continue the conversations that were started in Montgomery.
Our priority for 2024 is to continue to perfect the systems put in place and work closely with the Board to stay linked to their vision. We are working to deepen the impact of the Next Generation Programs with more opportunities for in-person connections with a new hybrid model and additional members. For the general portfolio, we have strategically paired Program Officers with grantee partners who can bring their lived experiences and expertise to organizations with more in-person visits, deeper engagement, and stronger relationships. We are committed to working very closely with each Grantee, visiting their staff and facilities, and staying aware of any shifts or issues within the grantee organization. We are honored to represent the Sarowitz Family and proud to be charged with executing the Mission, Vision, and Values of the Julian Grace Foundation.
Sincerely,
Scott McLellan, Executive Director