Stories
A Crisis of Humanity: Our Statement on the Treatment of Families Seeking Asylum
America is facing not just a humanitarian crisis, but a crisis of humanity.
The board and staff of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation are alarmed by the barbaric treatment of families seeking refuge. While the administration has stopped separating children at the border from their...
Both/And Investing: Doing well AND doing good
Lately we find ourselves asking how we can be better supporters of our grantee partners, who are working in increasingly difficult circumstances to advance social and economic justice across the South. With rapid expansion of income inequality, the gradual erosion of public goods and outright attacks on families’ safety and dignity, their work is more important than at any point in recent history. The Foundation, our partners and the communities we care about are at a critical juncture and “urgency” is the operative word.
Fortunately, the Babcock Foundation board and staff now have the flexibility to consider increased grantmaking opportunities just when they are needed most. After years of planning and research, 2017 marked the first complete year MRBF’s portfolio was 100 percent invested in a mission-related strategy guided by environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. These ESG screens require best practices in labor rights, climate impact, natural resource use, corporate governance, supply chain management, community impact and other factors. Not only was the portfolio’s return up more than 20 percent last year, but every asset class outperformed its respective benchmark and achieved ESG impact. The timing of these market gains could not be any better, and we’re committing additional resources to our partners throughout the region.
Signs of Progress in 2017
There’s no denying the past year brought formidable challenges for the organizations and networks working tirelessly to increase social and economic justice across the South. As our grantee partners embark on another year striving to shape a more equitable future, it seems especially important...
Becoming Explicit about Equity
Recent history and troubling current events are turning a glaring mirror on America, fueling the urgency to shape a more equitable future, to put more shoulder behind that bending moral arc. We’ve watched in horror as white supremacists snake through our streets spewing violence and hatred with impunity. We’ve witnessed the rise of elected leaders who unapologetically express racist attitudes...
Welcome our new Board Members
The board and staff of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation are pleased to welcome three new directors. With experience in community development, public policy, philanthropy, research and education, these accomplished new members will add breadth and depth to our board’s collective experience and wisdom.
Ashleigh GardereAshleigh Gardere is Executive Vice President...
Signs of Progress in 2017
There’s no denying the past year brought formidable challenges for the organizations and networks working tirelessly to increase social and economic justice across the South. As our grantee partners embark on another year striving to shape a more equitable future, it seems especially important to reflect on a few of the victories they achieved.
Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice...
"As the South Grows" series highlights opportunity in the region
The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy and Grantmakers for Southern Progress have teamed up on a series of reports highlighting some of the promising systematic change efforts at work across the South. MRBF supported the project and Program Director Lavastian Glenn served on the advisory committee.
As the South Grows highlights stories of potential, impact and...
Sparking Development where it’s Needed Most
Big-money real estate developers are flocking to the American South, lured by aggressive economic development policies, generous tax incentives, lax regulations, low-cost land, cheap labor and a booming population. Investors are pouring considerable dollars into large real estate funds that typically target the same five to ten big cities. These dominance of these so-called “mega-funds,” which...
