90th anniversary annual report affirms founder’s vision

Contact:
Kathy Reincke
269.969.2079
kar@wkkf.org 

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – The W.K. Kellogg Foundation announced today the release of its 90^th anniversary annual report, “For 90 Years … For Children,” highlighting and affirming its dedication to Will Keith Kellogg’s vision throughout the year 2020. This year’s reflections emphasize the importance of authentic relationships and grantees’ responsiveness to foster change in the midst of disruption from the pandemic and greater exposure to ongoing racial inequities.

“In this era, I believe building and strengthening relationships has never been more critical,” writes Board Chair Dr. Celeste A. Clark, in her annual letter. “We need to see each other, to value each other even as we operate virtually from a square on a screen.”

In her annual letter, La June Montgomery Tabron, president and CEO, reflects on 2020 as the foundation’s 90^th anniversary year in light of Mr. Kellogg’s legacy. In 1930, during another global financial crisis, W.K. Kellogg expressed his confidence in people through bold action. Ninety years later, the strength and solidarity of grantee networks and the leadership in communities continue to illustrate the wisdom of his vision.

“Relationships fostered in networks and collaborative work have made rapid response possible in communities,” she writes. “Together grantees and partners have put laptops in the hands of students, meals in people’s homes, offered solidarity in the face of fear and promoted healing in the midst of trauma. The events of 2020 have informed the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s path forward, but not altered our essential purpose.”

The 90th anniversary annual report reflects the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2020 and offers more than 30 stories in three languages – English, Spanish and Haitian Creole, illustrating how grantees across the United States, Mexico and Haiti have stepped forward amid uncertainties and challenges over the past year. The inspiring stories showcase how grantees worked to create opportunities for meeting the needs of children, families and their communities.

Story examples include:

• A social enterprise group of 36 successful entrepreneurs in Albuquerque, NM, creatively adapting to design and sew protective gear for frontline workers across the state
• Haiti grantees engaging with the community to fight COVID-19
• Local leaders using their networks to bridge divides and foster positive change in communities
• Grantees pushing boundaries and rallying support of critical census counts in the United States and Mexico
• How a community comes together to solve the digital divide for remote learners
• One organization connecting with 900 partners to move locally grown food to underserved communities
• New initiatives advancing racial equity in business and a challenge to organizations across the globe

2020 Financial Highlights

The Kellogg Foundation’s financial statements and a summary of grantmaking investments are available online. For the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2020, the foundation made 770 new grant commitments totaling $252 million. Of this amount, the following reflects grantmaking across its priority places of Michigan ($49,949,645), Mississippi ($32,922,384), New Mexico ($20,163,483) and New Orleans ($14,307,233) within the U.S., as well as in Mexico ($18,806,474) and in Haiti ($19,560,206). This year, the foundation also distributed $50.6 million in COVID-19 response grant commitments.

Experience the complete 90^th anniversary annual report, “For 90 Years … For Children” online in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.

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