The Grantmakers Income Security Taskforce (GIST) is an informal affinity group for grantmakers who are interested in poverty alleviation and governmental and private sector approaches aimed at improving the economic well-being of low-income families and children.

Our Goals

GIST helps grantmakers:

• Deepen their understanding of issues related to poverty, income security and asset development;

• Keep abreast of policy developments, cutting-edge ideas, and grantmaking opportunities and strategies;

• Make better cases to trustees of the importance of focusing on these issues;

• Form funding partnerships; and

• Strengthen philanthropic investments aimed at alleviating poverty and helping low-income families achieve self-sufficiency.

Who We Are

Steering Committee

GIST's work is guided by a Steering Committee, comprised of:

Michael Laracy, The Annie E. Casey Foundation **Co-chair

Benita Melton, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation ** Co-chair

Sheri Brady, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Rubie Coles, The Moriah Fund
Marcia Egbert, The George Gund Foundation
Katherine McFate, The Ford Foundation
Helen Neuborne, The Ford Foundation

Staff support for GIST is provided by:

The following individuals help support and carry out GIST's activities:

Christianne Lind and Cema Siegel The Finance Project

Participating Foundations

Reflecting a diverse range of philanthropic organizations, GIST members include local, regional, and national foundations of all sizes, as well as philanthropic advisory services. Since its creation in 1992, over 150 grantmakers have participated in GIST.

What We Do

~ Host Grantmaker Briefings

Throughout the year, GIST holds several grantmaker briefings on important developments related to poverty and income security. The meetings include presentations by leading national thinkers, practitioners, and advocates, as well as special strategy sessions for grantmakers to discuss what activities they want to engage in both individually and collectively.

~ Promote On-going Networking Among Grantmakers

GIST maintains a listserv and mailing list so that grantmakers can share information, ideas, strategies and best practices among themselves on a regular basis.

~ Collaborate with other Grantmaker Affinity Groups: The EITC Funders Network, Asset Funders Network

GIST also collaborates with other grantmaker affinity groups organized around more narrowly focused segments of income security issues, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and asset development. To learn more about these grantmaker affinity groups, click on the links above.

Our Accomplishments

Collectively, GIST members have provided the vast majority of non-governmental support for the nation's efforts to reform welfare and income security policy over the last decade. Through collaborative funding efforts, GIST helped launch the:

Welfare Information Network (WIN), The Finance Project

State Fiscal Analysis Initiative (SFAI) Network, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Assessing the New Federalism Project, The Urban Institute

Tax Policy Center, The Urban Institute and Brookings Institution

Welfare Reform and Beyond Project, Brookings Institution

Get Involved!

Our work is enriched by a range of grantmaker voices and we would eagerly welcome your participation.  If you would like more information about GIST or upcoming meetings, please contact Christianne Lind or Cema Siegel at The Finance Project.