Winrock International selected to participate in the Advancing Racial Equity Community of Practice initiative, led by The Bridgespan Group and supported by the Walmart Foundation
The Advancing Racial Equity Community of Practice is a six-month project in which Winrock International will work with The Bridgespan Group to support our journey to advance racial equity, both in our organization and in our work.
North Little Rock, Ark., February 1, 2023 – Winrock International is excited to announce our participation in a new community of practice with other nonprofit organizations focused on advancing racial equity. Over the next six months, Winrock International will work with The Bridgespan Group to strengthen our approach to advancing racial equity both internally and in our external work. The Advancing Racial Equity Community of Practice, led by The Bridgespan Group, is funded by the Walmart Foundation.
“Winrock is honored to have been chosen by the Walmart Foundation to participate in this important effort,” said Winrock President and CEO Rodney Ferguson. “Putting racial equity at the center of both our operations and program delivery is a crucial component of our mission and strategy. Thanks to the Walmart Foundation, Bridgespan, and our fellow nonprofit leaders for making this journey so impactful and exciting.”
Winrock International is participating in the cohort alongside nine organizations: American Red Cross, Center for the Future of Arizona, Education Design Lab, Goodwill Industries International, National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), Team Rubicon, The National FFA Organization , The Recycling Partnership, and World Wildlife Fund.
The Walmart Foundation is providing philanthropic funding to Winrock International. The funding will assist in supporting Winrock as we collaborate with others to share best practices and learnings on our work to prioritize equity.
“We can make a greater impact when we come together to support each other’s journeys to advance racial equity,” said Kirstie Sims, Senior Director, Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity “We heard from many nonprofit organizations we work with, at varying sizes and points in their racial equity journey, that they wanted to learn and share best practices, knowledge and challenges with others. The Bridgespan Group’s leadership of the Advancing Racial Equity Community of Practice provides that space.”
About Winrock International
Winrock International is a recognized leader in U.S. and international development with a focus on social, agricultural and environmental issues. Inspired by its namesake, Winthrop Rockefeller, Winrock combines scientific and technical expertise with entrepreneurial innovation to deliver market-based solutions that improve lives around the world. Winrock’s mission is to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources across the globe.
About The Bridgespan Group
The Bridgespan Group (www.bridgespan.org) is a global nonprofit that collaborates with social change organizations, philanthropists, and impact investors to make the world more equitable and just. Bridgespan’s services include strategy consulting and advising, sourcing and diligence, and leadership team support. We take what we learn from this work and build on it with original research, identifying best practices and innovative ideas to share with the social sector. We work from locations in Boston, Johannesburg, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, and Singapore.
About philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart.org represents the philanthropic efforts of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation. By leaning in where our business has unique strengths, the Walmart Foundation works to tackle key social issues and collaborate with others to spark long-lasting systemic change. Walmart has stores in 27 countries, employing more than 2 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. Walmart.org is helping people live better by supporting programs that work to accelerate upward job mobility for frontline workers, address hunger and make healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality, and build strong communities where Walmart operates.