Foundations Should Examine Practices That Prevent Them form Giving Grantees More Power

Good food for thought. Here is an opinion piece in the Chronicle of Philanthropy by Renee Karibi-Whyte of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors relating to racial injustice and systemic inequalities. While these topics are front and forward in many of today’s conversations her question to the philanthropic world is what changes are you making within your own practices based on these conversations?

Here are three things Karibi-Whyte put forward to challenge us to think differently.

1. Step outside of the bubble. Understand who we interact with - does that include people whose perspectives and life experiences are different from our own? What assumptions do we make of what communities should do? How do our own personal experiences create biases in our analysis and evaluation of information?

2. Reconsider outdated and potentially harmful organizational practices. Are grant requirements, reporting, etc. shutting out communities you want to reach? Is there adequate diversity within your internal leadership and with grantees?

3. Stick around when times get tough. Recognize and then mitigate power dynamics and processes that prevent honest feedback and two-way conversations.

What are your thoughts? What are your actions?

Photo credit: Євгенія Височина @eugenivy_reserv

Coronavirus Shows Us It's Time for Change, Not Charity

A story posted on Worth by Tricia Raikes and published May 4, 2020 where she writes about “giving in service of change rather than charity.”

Started in 2002 with her husband, Jeff the Raikes Foundation is focused on young people. Over the years the couple and foundation staff have gained an understanding of systems effecting youth and have taken stock of the challenges by listening to the people they are aiming to help. Today, the foundation’s work is geared toward transforming the systems that are holding youth back.

The coronavirus and its disproportionate effect on communities of color and those of lower income further highlight the brokenness of systems that, based on where you live, limit access to healthcare, quality food, transportation, and jobs providing adequate wages and benefits including paid sick leave.

I was most struck by Raikes’ concluding paragraph, “By giving for change, not charity, we can begin to bridge our divides and build a better future. Let’s start now.” This article provides good food for thought when considering the work of funders. Is your aim to support needs or to change the systems that perpetuate the needs?