In this episode, you'll learn why it's critical to invest in the diverse emerging workforce inside foundations. And you’ll learn how such investment helps organized philanthropy be responsive to nonprofits and those who are on the front lines doing the work.
Rusty sits down for a chat with Storme Gray, the inspiring Executive Director of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP), the national network of emerging foundation leaders who are elevating philanthropic practice in order to build a more just, equitable and sustainable world.
Storme discusses the challenges that face young people of color and others in the foundation field, and shares EPIP’s efforts to ensure that emerging grantmakers have an introduction to funding work that is grounded in equity, inclusion, and personal responsibility, regardless of positionality within philanthropic institutions. EPIP recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and Storme shares her vision for the years ahead. She is creating space for diverse emergent leaders to build their voice, sharpen their skills, and develop analysis and critique of the sector. EPIP continues to improve the way philanthropy works with nonprofits in service of communities.
In this episode we explore Talent-Investing Principle #1: Nonprofit people are awesome. To learn about all 8 Principles of Talent-Investing, check out Episode One of this season.Resources from this episode:
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Twitter: @Storme1913
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LinkedIn: Storme Gray
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Storme Gray Bio:
Storme Gray (she/her) is the Executive Director of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy. A passionate change agent, servant leader, and advocate for justice, her professional career includes nearly 15 years of experience in the philanthropic sector, with a focus on youth development, racial equity, and inclusive philanthropic practice. And as a proud native of Camden, NJ, Storme credits her upbringing in Camden with providing her with the tenacity and authenticity that fuels her approach to the work. Storme’s career in philanthropy began at The Summit Foundation, where she supported efforts to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health and preserve and protect the Mesoamerican Reef Ecoregion. From there, she went to the Bainum Family Fund, where she oversaw a grantmaking portfolio of $1 million focused on educational, workforce, and youth development programming for at-risk, low-income youth within the DC metropolitan area. Storme has also worked with national philanthropic support organizations, such as the Council on Foundations, where she created leadership development programming for philanthropic professionals, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Prior to joining EPIP's staff as Director of Programs in 2017, Storme was a Program Officer at the Washington Area Women’s Foundation, where she developed the foundation’s Young Women’s Initiative, a city-wide effort to improve the educational, economic, and life outcomes for cis and trans young women and girls of color, with youth at the center of the decision-making process.
In her spare time, Storme is a powerlifter, aspiring podcaster, life coach, and lover of all things related to self-care and personal development. Storme is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, a graduate of American University, and fur-mommy to her dog Bodhi.
Listen to this episode on Spotify.
