Several interesting themes emerged in the grantmaking of Boston’s Herman and Frieda Miller Foundation as it looked back at its support of civic engagement in the Boston area during 2011.

Contrary to the often heard complaint that nonprofit organizations do not collaborate effectively, sixty percent of the grants awarded supported formal city or statewide coalitions, networks, or associations.

In addition, most of the grants awarded to individual community-based organizations supported long-term organizing campaigns working in concert with many other partners.

Half of the grants funded by the foundation supported explicit multi-racial organizing as reflected in organizational membership, organizing staff, leadership, and strategy. Unfortunately, only 36% of organizations funded had executive leadership led by people of color and board membership comprised of over 50% people of color.

Reforming electoral politics, increasing voter participation, and increasing the number of elected officials that reflect the racial, ethnic, and class backgrounds of working class communities in Massachusetts continued to be a common thread of most of the foundation’s grantmaking.

The foundation also continued to support many projects designed to involve the public in local and statewide land use planning, community revitalization, and smart growth advocacy projects.

To see the grants list, click here.