Theme

Boundaries

What do we mean by community? Who decides who is in and out? Explore different frames, and what it means for participation and power.

…Community is something more than the sum of its parts or its individual members. What is this ‘something more?’ ..

M. Scott Peck, American Psychiatrist and Author

About this theme

If we are all threads of an interwoven fabric, where are the edges? When and how do we draw boundaries between people? Boundaries is a theme that explores the many reasons to form a big tent - emphasizing our human commonalities - as well as to recognize marginalized groups within minority communities as having distinct experiences and perspectives.

Posts from Boundaries

Man in crowd smiling, bending down towards people sitting and making music

Theme: Boundaries Type: Introductory

Introduction To Boundary Stories

Delve into questions of community, difference, and degrees of participation and control. Hone your perspective on philanthropic institutions as community players with dynamic roles.

People looking at a map on the floor with large, 3D paper markers

Theme: Boundaries Type: Core concepts

Understanding Boundaries

Philanthropies navigate many communities. Here, understand how membership in multiple communities meets individual and collective needs.

Group of people outside meeting each other

Theme: Boundaries Type: Core concepts

Working with Difference

Learn about four narrative frames for understanding difference within our communities. Explore how frames drive action, and try on alternative frames.

A photograph of a group of people standing in an alley, all facing the same direction. One man is swinging a young boy in the air.

Theme: Boundaries Type: Core concepts

Defining Community

Gain conceptual tools to define 'community' and identify what's at stake in being able to articulate philanthropy in relation to specific communities.

Two women sitting at a booth looking at each other through masks and consulting a script

Theme: Boundaries Type: Provocative

Furthering Participation

Encounter Nina Simon's argument that community institutions must not only engage people much more broadly, but seek to be changed by their participation - or risk irrelevance.

A photograph of the facade of the HistoryMiami museum.

Theme: Boundaries Type: Case study

The HistoryMiami Museum is Changed by Trans Youth

Learn how one community institution becomes more participatory by moving beyond consultations, professional experts, and project timelines.

Boundary stories podcast

Philanthropy is framed as community serving. But, what is community? Is there a difference between serving a community and being changed by a community? Unpack concepts like diversity, difference, multiculturalism, class, and more.

Listen

Theme

Boundaries

M. Scott Peck, American Psychiatrist and Author

About this theme

Posts from Boundaries

Boundary stories podcast

About us

Explore

Contact us