Greenlining Institute
Encyclopedia
The Greenlining Institute is a public policy, research, and advocacy non-profit organization
based in Berkeley, California
. The Greenlining Institute's mission is to empower communities of color and other disadvantaged groups through multi-ethnic economic and leadership development, civil rights
, and anti-redlining
activities.
, Asian American
, and Latino American community leaders in 1993 to fight injustice, increase the participation of people of color in policymaking, and encourage successful investment by corporate America into these communities. Rather than just fighting redlining
, the illegal practice of denying services to certain communities, greenlining is the proactive effort of bringing profitable investments and services to communities that have been left behind.
The Greenlining Institute was founded on the principle of wealth creation, with a strong belief that diversity makes business sense and leads to greater effectiveness.
Today, the Greenlining Institute is a national research, advocacy, and leadership development organization building racial and ethnic justice for a stronger and more sustainable America. We work to ensure that diverse communities are participating in all major policy debates and discussions, to ensure these communities are "at" rather than just "on" the tables of policy making.
.
According to the US Census, California's communities of color comprise over 50% of the state's population—making it a majority-minority state
. Greenlining found that philanthropic giving did not reflect California's population.
Greenlining's advocacy efforts have included the introduction of AB 624 which was a piece of “sunshine” legislation that would require large foundations operating in California to gather and disclose pertinent diversity data. While, the bill was ultimately withdrawn, AB 624 would not have required foundations to invest in minority communities, and it would not have created racial quotas for grant-making and employment. This legislation was an attempt to get foundations to disclose data related to diversity on an annual basis.
Specific advocacy areas include:
Overall, Greenlining will convene traditional environmental proponents, health advocates, and asset building stakeholders to create a new paradigm that says going “Green” can let people live physically and economically healthier lives.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
based in Berkeley, California
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
. The Greenlining Institute's mission is to empower communities of color and other disadvantaged groups through multi-ethnic economic and leadership development, civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
, and anti-redlining
Redlining
Redlining is the practice of denying, or increasing the cost of services such as banking, insurance, access to jobs, access to health care, or even supermarkets to residents in certain, often racially determined, areas. The term "redlining" was coined in the late 1960s by John McKnight, a...
activities.
History
The Greenlining Institute was established by African AmericanAfrican American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, Asian American
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
, and Latino American community leaders in 1993 to fight injustice, increase the participation of people of color in policymaking, and encourage successful investment by corporate America into these communities. Rather than just fighting redlining
Redlining
Redlining is the practice of denying, or increasing the cost of services such as banking, insurance, access to jobs, access to health care, or even supermarkets to residents in certain, often racially determined, areas. The term "redlining" was coined in the late 1960s by John McKnight, a...
, the illegal practice of denying services to certain communities, greenlining is the proactive effort of bringing profitable investments and services to communities that have been left behind.
The Greenlining Institute was founded on the principle of wealth creation, with a strong belief that diversity makes business sense and leads to greater effectiveness.
Today, the Greenlining Institute is a national research, advocacy, and leadership development organization building racial and ethnic justice for a stronger and more sustainable America. We work to ensure that diverse communities are participating in all major policy debates and discussions, to ensure these communities are "at" rather than just "on" the tables of policy making.
Community Reinvestment
Greenlining's Community Reinvestment program works with banks and other financial institutions to equitably execute the Community Reinvestment ActCommunity Reinvestment Act
The Community Reinvestment Act is a United States federal law designed to encourage commercial banks and savings associations to help meet the needs of borrowers in all segments of their communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods...
.
Democratizing Philanthropy
In 2005, Greenlining began researching the philanthropic giving patterns of California's largest foundations and found very low investment in non-profit organizations led by people of color.According to the US Census, California's communities of color comprise over 50% of the state's population—making it a majority-minority state
Majority-minority state
Majority-minority is a term used to describe a U.S. state or other jurisdiction whose racial composition is less than 50% white. 'White' in this context means Non-Hispanic Whites. Racial data are derived from self-identification questions on the census and census bureau estimates...
. Greenlining found that philanthropic giving did not reflect California's population.
Greenlining's advocacy efforts have included the introduction of AB 624 which was a piece of “sunshine” legislation that would require large foundations operating in California to gather and disclose pertinent diversity data. While, the bill was ultimately withdrawn, AB 624 would not have required foundations to invest in minority communities, and it would not have created racial quotas for grant-making and employment. This legislation was an attempt to get foundations to disclose data related to diversity on an annual basis.
Consumer Protection & Legal Advocacy
Greenlining's legal advocacy is policy-focused and strives to protect and promote the interests of California 's vulnerable communities. Greenlining consumer protection program has created projects in such areas as: microbusiness development, increasing diversity in the legal profession, small business technical assistance, alternative energy, restructuring the intervenor compensation program, environmental justice, technology access and educational pipeline programs.Specific advocacy areas include:
- California Public Utilities CommissionCalifornia Public Utilities CommissionThe California Public Utilities Commission is a regulatory agency which regulates privately owned public utilities in the state of California, including electric power, telecommunications, natural gas and water companies...
Proceedings - California Department of Insurance Proceedings
- Corporate Community Investments
- Diversity in the Legal Profession
- Pro Bono and Community Investment
- Increasing Transparency in Corporate America
Bridges to Health
Greenlining's Health Team's stated mission is to promote policies that empower communities of color and other disadvantaged groups in the benefits of good health and healthy environments through multi-ethnic leadership development and advocating on behalf of these underserved populations. Specifically Greenlining works on Increasing Diversity in the Health Workforce and Increasing Access to CareGreen Assets
Greenlining's Green Asset Program seeks to ensure that communities of color are at the forefront of the green economy as active stakeholders in our nation's efforts to “go green”. With the advent of green technology and green business opportunities, Greenlining will work to ensure that low-income and minority communities benefit from philanthropy, jobs, business contracts, and other green opportunities that are created in our efforts to fight global warming. Greenlining will be strong advocate for “green solutions” to reduce our dependence on oil and other unsustainable energy practices that disproportionately harm low-income communities.Overall, Greenlining will convene traditional environmental proponents, health advocates, and asset building stakeholders to create a new paradigm that says going “Green” can let people live physically and economically healthier lives.
Leadership Academy
Greenlining has nationally recognized leadership Academy trains diverse high-school, college and graduate level students who aspire to be leaders in their respective fields. They train over 100 young people a year using a "hands-on" approach to learning and teaching. Academy participants are assigned to major public policy issues and are directly involved in Greenlining's research and advocacy efforts. In addition, Academy participants receive training in leadership skills including public speaking, critical thinking, policy writing, networking, and research methods.The Greenlining Coalition
The Greenlining Coalition was originally founded in the 1970s and has since grown to include a diverse group of civil rights, faith-based, health, and business organizations in California and the Western United States.External links
- Greenlining Institute website
- "California’s Greenlining Institute: Arm-Twisting for Financial Affirmative Action" - criticism of the Greenlining Institute by the conservativeConservatismConservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
Capital Research CenterCapital Research CenterCapital Research Center is a conservative non-profit organization located in Washington, DC. It was founded in 1984 by Willa Johnson "to study non-profit organizations, with a special focus on reviving the American traditions of charity, philanthropy, and voluntarism." The group opposes the growth...