Board Chair, The Kresge Foundation
PathBreaking Is Not Optional—It’s Imperative
Dear Friends and Partners,
One approach I turn to in moments of turmoil and profound change, such as the one our country faces now, is to reflect on heroes who have overcome great obstacles and moved us all forward. I am heartened by our theme for this year’s annual report, which focuses on “PathBreakers” – a celebration of leaders and organizations who relentlessly forge ahead, cutting through obstacles to advance justice and build strong and vibrant communities. In this moment of federal funding cuts, climate initiatives downscaling, educational equity under siege, health care initiatives shuttering, and the federal government reversing decades of progress on racial justice – pathbreaking leadership is not optional, it is imperative.
The nonprofit sector is working hard to meet the challenges of this moment, often with fewer resources, a changing legal climate, and other sources of uncertainty. It is precisely in times like these that The Kresge Foundation’s work becomes most vital.
As we navigate these turbulent waters, our Board has engaged in deep reflection about our role at this moment. We have drawn on what we learned from other times of crisis, like the Great Recession 15 years ago, and the enormous challenge of the municipal bankruptcy that followed in Detroit. In those moments, we deployed our resources in creative, innovative and courageous ways. We deepened our understanding that those resources extended well beyond simple dollars: they included our people, our expertise, and our ability to convene and engage powerful and effective partners. We listened deeply to our grantees and other partners, to better understand how we might work alongside them to have the most impact. We invited our partners to dare to imagine what rebuilding might make possible in a place like Detroit, and we were invited to share what we learned with other places. As the Kresge Trustees gathered in Detroit earlier this year, it was not lost on us that we were doing this reflection in a transformed city, where much work remains but so much is possible.
That’s the spirit we will use to face down the tumult of this moment. We are not ideological or political, which means we can be especially clear-eyed about the challenges that real people and the institutions that serve them face in this moment. We will double down on what we know and what we do best, which is to focus on equity and opportunity in America’s cities. Perhaps the term “equity” is a contested word in this moment. But inequity is simply unacceptable, so we stand our ground.
“We will double down on what we know and what we do best, which is to focus on equity and opportunity in America’s cities”
We bring expertise to America’s cities – we understand their challenges, we recognize their strengths, and we believe in their people and their potential. As new dynamics in government reshape the landscape for urban communities, we stand ready to leverage our insights, networks, and resources to address emerging needs and build an opportunity-rich and vibrant future for all.
The PathBreakers we highlight in this annual report embody this spirit of determined optimism. They are the community leaders who refuse to accept inequity as inevitable, the innovators who see climate change as a catalyst for health transformation, the educators and investors who create new models for higher education institutions to respond to today’s challenges, and the advocates who relentlessly pursue racial justice even when progress seems elusive.
At Kresge, we remain committed to walking alongside our partners, supporting their vision and amplifying their impact. Together, we will continue breaking paths toward a more just, sustainable, and equitable future – no matter what obstacles may stand in our way.
With gratitude and determination,
Cecilia Muñoz
Board Chair
The Kresge Foundation
