Newly Elected Members Signal NCRP’s Continued Priorities in Strengthening Relationships between funders and movements in the Civic Engagement & Climate Justice Space
WASHINGTON, DC – Renewing its commitments to push foundations and funders to center front-line movements, the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) is entering its 47th year by electing two activists from the climate justice and civic engagement space to its board of directors.
The DC-based philanthropic advocacy group announced this week that Chorus Foundation Founder and President Farhad Ebrahimi and Fair Count President Dr. Jeanine Abrams McLean had joined the board effective October 1.
“We are thrilled to welcome these dynamic leaders to our board,” said NCRP Board Chair Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, “Farhad and Jeanine are at the forefront of some of the most exciting collaborations between movements and funders. Chorus Foundation’s focus on just transition and commitment to a spend-down approach is the model funders should aim for, and Fair Count’s exciting work in civic engagement shows what well-resourced movement groups are capable of. We’re happy to have their invaluable experience.”
NCRP President and CEO Aaron Dorfman agreed, saying, “Our board’s guidance plays a vital role in making our work with nonprofits and grantmakers effective, and Farhad and Jeanine’s commitment to movement groups makes them a great fit for our team.”
Dorfman also announced that long-time board members Daniel Lee and Mary Lassen have stepped off the board, having reached the maximum allowable service of nine years.
“Their commitment and contributions to the board and the organization have been tremendous,” said Dorfman. “We are so thankful for the energy, insight, and perspective that they both brought to our work. Their service will not soon be forgotten.”
While Solidaire Network’s Executive Director Rajasvini Bhansali steps off after serving two years, First Nations Development Institute President Mike Robers will return for his second three-year term, bringing the total number of the board to 17 members.
“Our organization draws strength not only from the diverse communities that we hail from and work with, but also from a Board that is involved in so much of the change that we want to see happening in the sector,” added Dorfman. “Their experiences and perspectives help ensure that the research and advocacy work that we are doing helps push philanthropy to boldly invest in intersectional movements and leaders that working to build about a just and equitable world.”
For a full list of the current NCRP Board of Directors, visit the NCRP website at https://www.ncrp.org/about-us/board.
About NCRP
The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) has served as philanthropy’s critical friend and independent watchdog since 1976. We work with foundations, nonprofits, social justice movements, and other leaders to ensure that the sector is transparent with and accountable to those with the least wealth, power, and opportunity in American society.
Our storytelling, advocacy, and research efforts, in partnership with grantees, help funders fulfill their moral and practical duty to build, share and wield economic resources and power to serve public purposes in pursuit of justice.
We believe that when frontline groups are supported, they can create a just and equitable world where all communities get the resources they need to thrive.
About the New Members
Farhad Ebrahimi
Founder and President
Chorus Foundation
Farhad Ebrahimi is an organizer, trainer, and story-based strategist active primarily in the philanthropic sector. For the past 16 years, his principal role has been as the Founder and President of the Chorus Foundation, which works for a just transition to a regenerative economy in the United States. In addition to his work at Chorus, Farhad is a Co-founder and returning Board Member of Solidaire, and a member of the Center for Story-based Strategy trainer network.
Farhad identifies first and foremost as an abolitionist with respect to the concept of private philanthropy. As such, he’s most interested in the question of how extracted and consolidated wealth can be redistributed in ways that directly support a Just Transition to a world in which such wealth is no longer extracted and consolidated in the first place. It’s in this context that the Chorus Foundation itself has been structured as a transitional form and will have spent down its entire endowment by the end of 2023.
Dr. Jeanine Abrams McLean
President
Fair Count
Dr. Jeanine Abrams McLean is the President at Fair Count, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, founded by Stacey Abrams.
The goal of Fair Count is to ensure that every person in Georgia and the nation is seen, heard, and counted for a fair and accurate census and to building pathways to continued civic participation, including voter education and redistricting.
Jeanine is a highly skilled researcher with over 15 years of experience designing, managing, and implementing population-based studies and projects. While at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, she applied her expertise in computational biology and population research to advance public health initiatives. She has extensive project management experience as well as work in community organizing.
In addition to her work in public health, she is passionate about finding creative ways to tackle community-based issues using both strategic planning and innovative ideas.
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