Since the Supreme Court’s wrong and damaging decision in June to end affirmative action at universities, our field has been bracing for the financial impact to organizations that support and empower minorities, especially women, girls, and nonbinary and transgender people of color, who live at the intersection of gender and racial discrimination. Only one-half of 1% of foundation dollars are directed to organizations focused on women and girls of color, and fears over this ruling make that meager amount likely to dip even lower. This is incredibly frustrating and discouraging, especially during Women’s History Month, when we want to feel celebratory about how far we’ve come and hopeful about the future.
Right now, it’s hard to stay optimistic about our work to expand gender justice because it feels like we’re seeing the world move further from our values of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). We’re witnessing a backslide of years of effort and progress. I’ve noticed the impact of the SCOTUS affirmative action ruling on the mood of those in our field, with so many of my peers in philanthropy now draped in a heavy cloak of pessimism. That’s understandable when we see groups like the Fearless Fund, a venture capital fund that provides grants to Black women business owners, being ordered by a federal appeals court to temporarily stop its grant program because it supposedly discriminates against people who are not Black, when in actuality, it’s just trying to fill the massive funding gap for Black women entrepreneurs. So it’s no surprise that foundations and nonprofits are on guard, and that people working toward justice feel exhausted and frustrated.
In actuality, the Supreme Court ruling on race in college admissions doesn’t restrict grantmaking related to race or gender — grantmaking in this way remains perfectly legal. And the elimination of prejudice and discrimination remains a valid charitable purpose under section 501(c)(3). Yet the backlash against DEI efforts and fears about legality have had a chilling effect on race- and gender-conscious giving. I’m hearing about some foundations shifting away from this critical type of work and organizations that are now obscuring their mission of gender and racial equity with less direct language. This is what experts call “repressive legalism,” in which the public’s interpretation of legal decisions can be more restrictive than necessary because it can lead to fear of the threat of litigation. That’s exactly what we’re seeing happen in philanthropy, and it’s no accident. Instead, fear-mongering and exclusion is the goal of those who benefit from the existing unfair power structures and want to stand in the way of gender and racial justice.
Despite all of this, I am hopeful for the progress of women, girls and nonbinary people of color.
Why? Because I believe in our incredible talent, skill and determination, as well as that of every foundation around the world working to support us — not just during Women’s History Month, but all year.
I’m optimistic because in this precipitous moment, I believe larger foundations will lead by example and continue funding — even at increased levels — causes that directly benefit people of marginalized genders and races; some will hopefully create specific funds to help grantees if they are wrongly sued.
I’m inspired and energized by the nearly 50,000 organizations that are dedicated to women and girls across the United States, and even more around the world. These organizations are doing vital work for women and girls from infancy to elderhood, covering a range of needs: prenatal care, education, reproductive justice, access to youth sports, safe and affordable housing, gender-based violence, healthcare, breast cancer research, and so many other critical areas.
From our members, I’ve seen creative problem-solving, such as when the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona successfully lobbied to change state law so low-income moms were able for the first time to access federally funded childcare vouchers for working or attending school or vocational training, or when the Maine Women’s Fund supported the creation of the Center for Wabanaki Healing & Recovery, which centers culture, ceremony, language and traditions for local Indigenous women. Around the globe, incredible yet underfunded organizations are doing incredible work, stretching every dollar to best support women, girls and nonbinary people of color.
I’m optimistic because I believe where and how foundations invest reflects our values and our vision for the future. There’s still time to create the world we want to leave for future generations.
Elizabeth Barajas-Román is the President & CEO of the Women’s Funding Network, the world’s largest philanthropic alliance for gender equity.
