Short-Changed: Tools for Racial Justice Grantmaking (Room C205)
Join this open forum on assessing racial-equity grantmaking. Using Assessing Our Grantmaking for its Racial Justice Potential, a tool developed by Applied Research Center and Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity, small group discussions between nonprofits and grantmakers will provide a space for participants to test the tool, and to share their experiences and challenges in securing and expanding racial justice funding.
Lori Villarosa, Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity
Rinku Sen, Applied Research Center
Notes:
Villarosa:
Philanthropy is primarily talking about racial equity in 4 ways:
1. internal staff and board diversity
2. increasing philanthropy among communities of color, recognize and increase philanthropists of color
3. Increasing support to people of color-led nonprofits
4. Racial justice grant-making -- supporting strategies to combat institutional and structural racism
While each of the above is valuable, it's also important to recognize that in themselves, the first three do not necessarily lead to the last one. That is, it's very possible to have board and staff diversity, and/or philanthropy from people of color, and/or people of color led nonprofits and have none of that tied to efforts that are combating structural racism and providing racial justice solutions. So we must be vigilant about advocating for these, but tying them into #4.
For more info on racial equity/philanthropy resources: see PRE's website: www.racialequity.org
Sen:
--ARC issues short-changed publication
to develop diagnostic tool for foundations to assess the impact of its funding on racial justice; ARC is testing tool for several foundations
--The tool:
1) examines overall portfolio of funder and how the foundation describes racial justice in
it mission; looks at what groups get through funding process
2) looks at individual grants w/ particular questions to assess the proposals
PROPOSED DISCUSSION:
-- [Excerpt From Greenlining Institute press release 3-1-07:Assemblymember Joe Coto, Chair of the Latino Legislative Caucus, introduced AB 624, legislation that calls for greater transparency in diversity practices at the state’s largest private and community foundations. AB 624 is the first proposed legislation in the nation that requires large foundations to collect and disclose specified diversity data pertaining to their grantmaking and governance. If passed, the bill would require foundations to disclose race and gender data via their Internet websites, and to include this information on their annual report. ... The Greenlining Institute, a multi-ethnic policy center and sponsor of the bill, has recently issued studies that find approximately 3% of foundation grant dollars awarded to minority-led nonprofit organizations, and little transparency within the halls of private foundations. ... The Greenlining Institute argues that publicly disclosure of diversity data by the foundation sector will engender more innovation and creativity in addressing the needs of diverse communities.
What do folks think about the questions raised in proposed CA legislation requiring foundations with assets over $250,000,000 to report on a large number of "diversity" factors related to their staff/board/vendors/grantees (and in turn their grantees' staff/board/constituency-served)? Do you think the right questions are being raised? PRE, ARC and others will be looking to deepen the dialogue on the underlying issues about what does/doesn't connect to greater racial and social justice, and would love to hear thoughts from those most affected.
