This is a publication about microcultures in philanthropy — small groups of people in our organizations with their own assumptions, values and working behaviors. These groups significantly shape the underlying character of our organizations.
Microcultures are the building blocks of organizational culture. Just as our broader organizational culture is always evolving, subgroups are forming, changing, growing and disbanding all the time. These are the microcultures that make up our organizations, and they can greatly impact the work we do.
This publication discusses types of microcultures (formal, like those based on departments, or informal, like those based on race/ethnicity) and the role microcultures play in shaping organizationwide culture. Exploring Microcultures lifts up experiences and stories from grantmakers large and small. Staff at all levels can use this publication to become more confident in the roles they individually can play in both understanding and supporting these microcultures.