Short Talk 1: Innovation Isn't Graded on a Curve
Session Designer
Tonya Allen, Skillman Foundation
Session Description
Philanthropy often describes its role as a capital source to drive innovation. However, when we look deeply at philanthropic organizations they rarely resemble or promote innovation within or outside of their institutions. The Skillman Foundation is widely recognized as a leading innovative foundation, because of its commitment to learning, data, results, co-funding and embedded, community leadership to improve schools and neighborhoods in Detroit. Yet it is pivoting to strengthen its ability to maximize, attract and syndicate capital in all forms, including financial, social, political and human, to create the ability to be a truly innovative organization. Skillman's story challenges grantmakers to rethink how varying philanthropic efforts and institutional structures can promote innovation and relevance to solve social challenges.
Session Type
Short Talk
Speakers
![[photo]](https://8ca84662c5b8f0cff50d-4baaaf97d63fd7b01243e1b1c57f0cc1.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/345/profile_749230b0daa168bf907a0de28d2b3755.png "Tonya Allen, Skillman Foundation")
Tonya Allen, Skillman Foundation
Biography
Tonya Allen is chief operating officer and vice president of programs at the Skillman Foundation, a private foundation whose mission is to improve the lives of children in Southeast Michigan. Allen oversees all of the foundation’s grantmaking investments and change-making strategies to improve schools and neighborhoods and to address persistent urban issues. Allen, who joined Skillman’s staff in 2004 as a program director, has also worked as a program officer for the C.S. Mott Foundation and Thompson-McCully Foundation. Allen was also the founder and executive director of Detroit Parent Network, a parent membership organization dedicated to improving educational options for children. Allen’s first foray into philanthropy and community change work began as a division director at Warren/Conner Development Coalition, where she managed the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Rebuilding Communities Initiative. Allen attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she completed her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree in public health and master’s degree in social work.