President & CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Sherece West-Scantlebury has been involved in philanthropy for 25 years. Before joining Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation in 2007, she was CEO of the Foundation for Louisiana and a program associate at the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
West-Scantlebury holds a doctorate in public policy from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree from the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and a bachelor’s degree from Bowie State University. In 2013, she was recognized by Arkansas Business as a Woman of Influence.
Describe the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation’s mission and the different forms that has taken.
WRF’s mission is to improve the lives of all Arkansans. Over the last decade, our Moving the Needle strategy has led the way toward a more equitable and prosperous Arkansas. WRF uses its voice and amplifies the voices of others. WRF contributes to shaping state and local policies to ensure that more Arkansans have economic and educational opportunity. WRF built a network of partners committed to tearing down barriers that have stood between Arkansans and the resources they deserve. WRF helps communities recognize, reduce and eliminate disparities in opportunity for residents. This achievement created a stronger, more inclusive and more prosperous Arkansas.
With our partners, the foundation identifies promising practices that continue to inform the foundation and other funders. WRF makes investments that eradicate inequity, create opportunities for children and families and build more inclusive and prosperous communities.
What do you consider the most pressing problem in our state? Our nation? What’s No. 2?
We have the opportunity to 1) change the conversation — talk about our shared aspirations and discuss how to effectively address challenges in our communities; and 2) become builders together — we actually build and produce tangible change in our communities throughout the state. Arkansans have to embrace the “can do spirit” to change our narrative and expect more. I believe this is also an opportunity for our nation.
No. 2: Arkansas has a 70/30 problem; 70 percent of the jobs in Arkansas require a high school diploma or less … We have the opportunity to shape the future by investing now in the right advanced-skills training and education.
What should organizations keep in mind when asking for a grant from the foundation?
WRF is a transformative foundation committed to the long, hard work of systematic change. That means we invest in community and statewide change.
For example, we are unlikely to fund a backpack program, but we do support resident-engagement initiatives to help students succeed throughout school. We would fully endorse a community-driven initiative if residents identified backpacks and school supplies as a need within the community and brought individuals together to fundraise to provide backpacks with supplies to students.
Why did you pursue a career in philanthropy?
Philanthropy chose me, for which I am grateful because I did not have professional goals. I have a mission and vision to use my time, talent and treasure to transform vulnerable communities into healthy, vibrant places where residents have the opportunity to learn and thrive. I am willing to do that in any capacity.
Sign up for Daily E-news
