In conversations with WKKF grantees we asked how the Foundation has aided their efforts to support the emergence of new leadership and what additional efforts they think that WKKF (and foundations in general) could undertake to increase their impact. In general, grantees were very pleased with the role that the Foundation has taken and most of their suggestions for additional support were around augmenting those things that they are already doing well: providing financial support, expertise and advice, supporting sustainability and evaluation efforts and acting as broker and convener.

Financial support

For almost every grantee, financial support is one of the first things mentioned and appreciated about the Kellogg Foundation's involvement. The Foundation's significant resources, and accompanying ability to give sizeable grants for multiple purposes, is very valuable to grantee organizations at all stages of development and in many fields. This money makes possible the engagement and development of new voices.

Beyond just money, the Foundation can further help grantees when the money is given with flexibility. One grantee said that funding which is not focused on a specific deliverable but instead invests in an organization's mission, while more difficult to evaluate, is important. In her words, "Foundations would do well to invest in the mission of organizations rather than just specific services they provide." Another grantee was appreciative of capacity-building money because, though they were accountable to their proposal, there were "no strings attached" giving them the flexibility to spend the resources where they needed them most.

The Kellogg Foundation's willingness to provide support over the long-term was also noted as significant. The knowledge that it takes time to develop new voices means that longer term investments provide more opportunities for leadership voices to emerge.

When one grantee was questioned by the Foundation for not more effectively engaging youth-rightly questioned in the eyes of the grantee-they were given additional resources to support youth engagement efforts. This ability, to not only provide feedback and input to organizations but resources to back up improvement, is powerful.

Several grantees noted the following ways that foundations could improve their financial support.

• Deep, long-term relationships with grantees are important in a context in which community change is the goal. While grants may not always be the currency of these relationships, support in some form is important over a sustained period.
• Smaller, riskier grants to grassroots organizations are important for the development and emergence of new voices. Many of these new voices that the Kellogg Foundation is attempting to develop will not come from academic institutions and national nonprofits but from smaller, local organizations. Funding these organizations is more risky, but as one grantee said, "funding policy wonks will do nothing if you do not have someone organizing from the grassroots."
• Fund organizing efforts that are bringing organizing approaches to engaging and developing new voices. Organizing efforts build leadership capacity because they actively engage people in defining and solving the problems they perceive.

Sustainability

While foundations can provide critical support to grantee organizations, several grantees were clear that the ultimate durability of an organization will be based on their ability to build local ownership and financial support. Based on grantee comments, helping and supporting organizations to plan for and build a sustainable base for the achievement of their mission is almost as significant as the dollars grantees receive from foundations. One method for this is the provision of advice and technical support in identifying potential sources of financial and other long-term support.

Another strategy is providing grants to support organizations in their efforts towards sustainability. One grantee we interviewed has received resources from another foundation to provide grassroots fundraising training to community organizers.

Expertise and advice

Because of their size, influence, resources, and networks, national foundations are able to provide expertise and technical assistance to their grantees that is invaluable. In some cases this is as simple as foundation staff or consultants serving as neutral "outside" observers who can provide feedback. In other cases, it is more formally organized coaching or training of grantees. Providing advice and expertise requires careful balance, as one grantee noted, it is helpful when the foundation does not give all the answers but lets grantees find out for themselves.

Citing the support, connections, and advice she received from her Program Director, one grantee noted her comfort level with asking questions. Another grantee suggested that, for developing new voices, foundations could provide resources specifically for coaching or training in areas like engaging youth or diversity.

Several grantees mentioned a need for more and better expertise. One suggested that the Kellogg Foundation compile a list of experts in various fields-like facilitation, planning, or marketing-that could be accessed by grantees in need of technical assistance. Another grantee felt that the Foundation could play a more significant role in supporting micro-enterprise development by hosting trainings for micro-enterprise people from various organizations or initiatives.

Convening and brokering

Because of their position, credibility, and visibility, foundations are in a unique position to be brokers between different sectors or different groups within a community. They also have the access and recognition to bring national champions to an effort. For one grantee we interviewed, the Kellogg Foundation convened a meeting between her organization and community businesspeople. The result of this meeting is that a banker now serves on one of the organization's committees.

One Program Director at the Kellogg Foundation said that her colleagues should use their position to bring together people who are active in innovation-like young people, women, communities of color, new wealth creators, social entrepreneurs, and business innovators-and engage them to change philanthropy.

This is a powerful ability to bring such a diverse group together around a common mission. This convening power also allows foundations to bring together networks of people across the country, and world, who are doing similar work. The Kellogg Foundation, in almost all their initiatives, provides opportunities for networking with others from different regions or sectors.

Evaluation

Through evaluations and accountability, the Kellogg Foundation is supporting organizations to do their work better. One grantee noted her appreciation that the Kellogg Foundation holds her organization accountable through evaluations, monthly reports, and annual reports. Another grantee said that the Foundation is very good at supporting evaluation, and she felt that this support helped her develop a more sustainable organization. The evaluation process also helps organizations to have a clear understanding of and plan for their programs, which positions them to make additional funding requests.

Strategies specific to engaging new voices

Following are several specific suggestions for how foundations can support organizations in the development of new voices.

• Keeping people in the community for their development so that they understand leadership (and the need for leadership) in the context of their community and do not leave their community once their skills and knowledge have developed.
• Focusing on youth in all initiatives. Given that youth are among the most discussed new voices, one grantee suggested that the Kellogg Foundation involve youth in the design of all programs and initiatives and emphasize youth engagement in all grants.
• Bring visibility to grantee efforts to engage and develop new voices. Because of their unique position and visibility, foundations can publicize grantee efforts far more effectively than grantees themselves. In addition to making grantees more visible, this would also support the replication of effective program models.
• Supporting those working differently to engage new voices. Through funding, letters of reference, and forums that highlight grantee work, foundations can support those who are trying new strategies or "thinking out-of-the-box" in engaging new voices for community change.