How Philanthropy Support Organizations Understand and Advance Community Power Building (original) (raw)
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RACE, POWER AND DEMOCRACY: SYNTHESIS OF SELECT PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS FOLLOWING KEY FLASHPOINTS
RACE, POWER AND DEMOCRACY: SYNTHESIS OF SELECT PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS FOLLOWING KEY FLASHPOINTS , 2014
~Maggie Potapchuk, MP Associates "We invite funders and activists to reflect upon some of this history to perhaps learn more about work that might have taken time to take hold, or perhaps recognize missed opportunities that nevertheless might still inspire future work for racial justice. … "The great force of history," James Baldwin wrote, "comes from the fact that we carry it within us, are unconsciously controlled by it in many ways, and history is literally present in all that we do" ~From "We are here because of the shooting death of Michael Brown, which sparked some small violent responses, which were then responded to by police. We gather here today to address this issue, and to encourage people to step back and look at this in a broader view; and to consider how we respond to the needs of the community. The ability of our movement to marshal the resources to respond to each flashpoint in advance is quite beyond our boundaries today. So how do we respond to these emerging issues around the country? … Is there something different about people's push for democracy, is there something different about emergency management-like curfew, and other responses like those in Katrina and South Africa and Detroit? What kind of democracy will we have? Inclusive or exclusive? I propose we look at tangible ways to build power, and how we prepare for backlashes using Ferguson as a case study... It's time for us to begin to discuss how we frame what the future looks like-what inclusive democracy looks like-and what's the path forward?" In reviewing the critiques, lessons and recommendations from a range of reports over the past 22 years, some themes emerged for philanthropy to address, which are highlighted below. These themes are not new; they have been discussed at many meetings, though this synthesis report is another reminder of the ongoing consequences of these issues not being addressed, especially in the context of these flashpoints. We know there will be more flashpoints, so how can we-philanthropy and racial justice activists-work collectively to ensure these persisting issues are resolved. Below are some themes that emerged across the lessons, recommendations and critiques as well as some reflections: Truly Investing in Justice Work Demands Increased Risk-Taking: Almost all of the reports were consistent in highlighting philanthropy's risk aversion, which actually clashes with the principles of crisis management. To address the complexities and history of structural racism, foundations need to support creativity, experimentation, and bold acts. Philanthropy is primed for an infusion of courage so collectively it can embrace and endure risk in its commitment to racial justice, given that progress toward racial justice has never come without struggle, setbacks and danger.
Developing a racial equity stance: moving philanthropy beyond diversity statements
2017
Over the past several years the national conversation about race, inequality, and power in the United States has grown in both urgency and intensity. In parallel to these social trends, more businesses, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropies are becoming better informed about the role of race and ethnicity in social and economic and disparities. The purpose of this study was to conduct action research to develop a racial equity stance at the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation in Washington, DC. This study also examined the role of cultural competence in supporting the development of a racial equity stance. The impetus for this research was founded on the premise that the social sector can be equipped to meet the challenge of achieving racial justice. This study examined the process of one foundation's attempt to build its capacity to embed a racial equity lens in its operations and grantmaking strategy.
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How is the philanthropic sector responding to the interconnected inequities laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic and the national movement against policy brutality and racism? Is this time of acute social upheaval leading funders to reevaluate their generally siloed approaches and consider what it will take to address today's challenges in transformational ways? Approaching the Intersection: Will a Global Pandemic and National Movement for Racial Justice Take Philanthropy Beyond Its Silos? explores these questions through conversations with place-based funders and national philanthropy-serving organization (PSO) leaders. It presents a snapshot of a sector that appears receptive to new ways of working, has access to approaches that suggest promise for making transformational change, but is moving cautiously and at times hesitantly toward undertaking the types of fundamental institutional realignment that will enable approaches with the greatest promise for delivering systemic equit...
Philanthropy, Race and Equity: The Use of Deliberative Processes
Patsy Kraeger Linked in Blog, 2020
Part One Philanthropy can and should capitalize on its unique ability to facilitate discussions to improve the tensions in race and equity disrupting the United States. In order to do this organized philanthropy, (i.e., foundations and philanthropic service organizations) should begin to think about how to change the conversation and also who should be invited on the conversation to inform change? Insider, outsiders? How should the choice be made? Philanthropic Organizations "Philanthropic institutions, like nonprofits, have a variety of institutional and organizational forms, which include private independent foundations, community foundations, family and other trusts, corporate foundations and donor-advised funds held by various financial institutions from banks, investments firms or community foundations"(Kraeger and Robichau, 2017). Solidarity ++ Today on June 2nd, the Southern California Grantmakers Association in A Message from the Heart + Immediate Actions to Dismantle Racism importantly stated " As communities across the country take to the street and risk their lives to fight for justice, SCG stands in solidarity with protesters because Black Lives Matter. We condemn racism, bigotry, and white supremacy. We are acutely aware that our humanity will not be collectively well until we put a stop to the unjust and senseless murders of Black lives. We are challenging ourselves to be better accomplices to the movement of dismantling racism" (SCG, 2020) see: https://www.socalgrantmakers.org/news/message-heart-immediate-actions-dismantle-racism Last month, on May 1 st , Paul Sullivan for the New York Times wrote, "[p]hilanthropy often sets out to mitigate inequality". He then went onto discuss a recent report published by Bridgespan and Echoing Green to look at the unequal funding to nonprofit organizations of color that often lack connections to philanthropic funders, understanding race problems and the ole of philanthropy and how to engage. The focus on connecting nonprofits with funders to both understand and to fund. This is key but as philanthropy delves deeper into race and equity work, a deeper commitment to understanding and being informed is possible by engaging communities and moving towards deliberative practices to advance policy and community change agendas though funding or even advocacy, as permitted under the law.
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is dedicated to improving philanthropy to improve the world by training and empowering students and professionals to be innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change. The school ofers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its academic, research and international programs, and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy, and Women's Philanthropy Institute. Learn more at https://philanthropy.iupui.edu/. The Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy The Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy fosters a greater understanding of the ways in which underrepresented people are both inspired and informed donors by providing knowledge, education, and training. The Institute seeks to understand the perceptions, practices, experiences, and needs of the individuals and institutions that operationalize philanthropy in historically underrepresented communities and develop programming and services to engage philanthropic practitioners, scholars, and the public at large in conversations and activities to advance this feld.
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Special thanks to all of the GACP members for their guidance and contributions of examples, especially Chris Cardona, David Jacobstein, and Hope Lyons, as well as Wendy Richardson with the Global Fund for Community Foundations, who reviewed multiple drafts and cheered us on throughout the writing process. To additional interviewees-Marinka Wijngaard, Anke van Dam, Wanja Muguongo, and Katharine Pearson Criss-and numerous others we referenced throughout the document, thank you for sharing your policies, practices, and research with the field.
Local Development and Society , 2021
Institutional Philanthropy has the opportunity to rethink its role and build trust and deeply engage with communities beyond grantmaking in minority communities in the United States. The global pandemic highlights inequalities in the United States from health inequality to social inequalities. Institutional philanthropy can focus on doing more than giving money; organization leaders and program staff can deliberately engage and listen to communities and the public to drive systems change. This commentary examines the role of philanthropic foundations and philanthropic support organizations regarding advocacy, public policy and community listening when philanthropy has been asked to step up to deliver increased funding given the increases in COVID-19 cases and deaths in minority communities in light of the toll the pandemic has taken on minority communities, the unjust death of George Floyd and others and the Black Lives Matters movement. Philanthropic foundation leaders are faced with “the fierce urgency of now” to change organizational behavior from the relational to meaningful community engagement and social cohesion.
Racial Justice in the Nonprofit Sector: Addressing Nonprofit Sustainability in Diverse Communities
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Nonprofit organizations in the United States depend upon a diverse set of funding streams to sustain their operations. This study will consist of revisiting the 2011 Nonprofit Management and Leadership article "Nonprofit Sustainability During Times of Uncertainty," which examined the ability of nonprofits to leverage funds from the private sector during the 2008 economic downturn, with specific attention on how nonprofits incorporated board members and community leaders in continuing services during a time of resource scarcity. This 2011 study also received the journal's "Best of the 2010s" award. This current research expands upon that article by investigating the intersection between racial justice and nonprofit sustainability, as well as additional questions related to racial justice, through the utilization of a case study site, Gary, IN. Implications of the findings include the greater role community foundations play in sustaining nonprofits in diverse communities, as well as in facilitating broader social justice initiatives.