The Deaf community in the U.S. is a linguistic and cultural minority whose experiences are often misunderstood. On top of this, despite people with disabilities representing 15% of the global population, they receive only 2.5% of philanthropic funding. While efforts toward disability inclusion in philanthropy are growing, progress is slow - especially because of our uncertain federal funding landscape and grantmaking processes that often unintentionally limit access.

Join us for a conversation that explores the Deaf community’s experiences across their lifespan and the challenges of access and inclusion. We’ll highlight a partnership between Whatcom Community Foundation (WCF) and the Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center - an example of not just funding a grant, but redesigning the grantmaking process to be more inclusive. Learn how the Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center worked with WCF to advocate and engage in mutual learning and how the collaboration helped them improve accessibility in their grantmaking.

Speakers

Headshot of Joel Bergsbaken over a tan background

Joel Bergsbaken

Development Director, Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center (HSDC)

Joel Bergsbaken has degrees in rehabilitation counseling/Deaf studies and linguistics and was a graduate research fellow with the Gallaudet University linguistics department. He worked for years at the Arizona School for the Deaf and as a rehabilitation counselor for the Deaf with the Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. For the past 21 years he has worked as an advocate with the Hearing Speech & Deaf Center providing support, presentations and system access advocacy at the individual, family, local, state and national levels including assisting in crafting proposed national legislation for equal access for the Deaf community. He is a Title 11 Guardian ad Litem for superior court cases involving Deaf individuals subject to a guardianship proceeding and has volunteered for years as a mediator for an Alternative Dispute Resolution Center. He is passionate about capacity-focused collaboration at all levels.
Headshot of Mauri Ingram over a textured grey background

Mauri Ingram

CEO, Whatcom Community Foundation

Since 2008, Mauri has been responsible for delivering on the Whatcom Community Foundation’s mission, creating an environment for a stellar team of people to excel, listening deeply to communities, maintaining trusting, durable relationships, marshaling resources and implementing strategy. Mauri has a master's and has worked in public health, downtown revitalization and real estate development. She was a restaurant owner for almost 20 years and worked as a consultant with private and public sector clients. Mauri’s varied background helps her bridge differences in discipline, context and experience. Mauri has served on regional and local nonprofit boards and actively participates in philanthropic networks.

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