An Open Letter To The Board Of The William And Flora Hewlett Foundation
The NonProfit Times
January, 1 2012
This is an open letter that appeared in the Jan. 1 issue of The NonProfit Times
***
With assets greater than $7 billion, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation makes more than $300 million in grants annually "to solve social and environmental problems at home and around the world." This summer, Paul Brest, former dean of the Stanford University Law School, announced his intention to retire as president of the foundation and return to teaching. This is a time of great change and opportunity for your institution.
Trustees have no more important role than selecting the CEO. In this, as in other areas, you are stewards of tremendous public trust. The generous tax subsidies provided to donors and to foundations make the government and the public partners with philanthropists in pursuit of the common good. The public seeks – and has a right to expect – the best from our nation's grant-makers.
Because ultimate stewardship of the Hewlett Foundation falls to you, the board, we hope you will consider the following four suggestions as you conduct your search. We believe strongly that, with the right leadership, the foundation can improve upon its already impressive legacy. The next president of the Hewlett Foundation should be someone who maintains the foundation's historic commitment to philanthropic effectiveness.
... CONCLUSION
The ideal new leader of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation will challenge the foundation and help it improve upon its already impressive legacy.
It is up to you to use your best judgment during this process. The causes and communities you care about are counting on you.
Aaron Dorfman National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy Washington, D.C.
Deepak Bhargava Center for Community Change Washington, D.C.
John E. EchoHawk Native American Rights Fund Boulder, Colo. and Washington, D.C.
Lois Marie Gibbs Center for Health, Environment & Justice Falls Church, Va.
Van Jones Rebuild the Dream San Francisco, Calif.
Janet Murguía National Council of La Raza Washington, D.C.
Erich Pica Friends of the Earth Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, Calif.
John A. Powell Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
Rebecca Tarbotton Rainforest Action Network San Francisco, Calif.
