POISE realizes the importance of new and transformative approaches to impact community change.
Compelling data points suggest the need to shift our focus from the alleviation of symptomatic problems to the achievement of strong families and community sustainability.
Strengthening Black Families is the Foundation’s new grant making strategy to re-assert Black families as a core institution in the re-development of Pittsburgh’s Black community. Building on its legacy, The Foundation will invest and encourage other private and public investments to that end. POISE believes that strengthening Black families will ultimately elevate and sustain a higher quality of life in the communities where they live.
Program Strategy
Community Engagement – Create venues for community learning and dialogue that explore the broad spectrum of perspectives, definitions and expectations of the Black family.
Local and National Philanthropic Partnerships – partner with local and national philanthropic institutions to make investments in programming that promotes positive family interaction.
Research and Policy – Advocate for and promote public policy that positively impacts Black families.
Thought Leadership – Lead approaches that seek to change deeply held opinions of civic leaders and policymakers about the value and efficacy of Black families.
Demonstration Grant - Promoting Positive Family Interactions
In 2013, POISE Foundation issued its first RFP focused on Promoting Positive Family Interactions. Of the twenty-six organizations that applied, four were selected to receive grants.
2014 Grantees
Strengthening Black Families – National Advisory Committee
In 2013, POISE Foundation convened its very first National Advisory Committee. The purpose of the committee is to provide knowledge and expertise that will help guide the Foundation to achieve its goals outlined in the new grantmaking strategy focused on strengthening Black families.
Andrew Cheeseboro, Executive Director, Small Seeds Development
Dr. Marcia Sturdivant, Executive Director, Negro Educational Emergency Drive (NEED)
Cheryl Walker, Executive Director, Manchester Youth Development Center
Sharon Brooks Hodge, Executive Director, Black Family Preservation Group, Inc.
Dr. Cherie Collins Sims, Consultant, African American Leadership Forum
Dr. Petrice Sams-Abiodun, Executive Director, Lindy Boggs National Center for Community Literacy - Loyola University
Elaine Fulton, Parent/Community Advocate, Wilkinsburg Family Support Center
Reverend John Knight, Project Director, TWOgether Pittsburgh
Susan Batten, President & CEO, Association of Black Foundation Executives
Leon Caldwell, Ph.D., Consultant, Caldwell & Associates, LLC
Dwayne Barker, Parent/Community Advocate, Pittsburgh Public Schools
Strengthening Black Families - Community Partners
Recent Interviews
KQV interview
In August 2015, Mark Lewis, Executive Director, and Karris Jackson, Vice President of The POISE Foundation, talk Black Philanthropy Month w/ Elaine Effort of KQV News
For more information, contact Karris Jackson at kjackson@poisefdn.org or 412-281-4967 x216
