Race & Ethnicity
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The Implications of the Fearless Fund Lawsuit for Downtown Revitalization
In the wake of a consequential legal settlement, guest author Ilana Preuss calls for philanthropy to double down, and not shy away, on supporting historically excluded entrepreneurs.
What’s Next for Philanthropy After the Fearless Fund Settlement?
In this guest article, Ben McDearmon of the Council on Foundations weighs in on the impact of the Fearless Fund settlement and the future of philanthropic DEI commitments.
How This Muslim Family Foundation Is Hoping to Change Philanthropy, One Story at a Time
The WF Foundation’s Inspired Generosity multimedia exhibit kicks off September 20 in Atlanta. The goal of the two-year, traveling event is to address negative stereotypes about Muslims — and change ideas about philanthropy.
Starving in Plain Sight: Survey Shows Black Literary Arts Nonprofits Ignored by Funders
Poetry nonprofit Cave Canem’s final report won’t be fully released until February, but early figures released to IP show this important corner of the arts sector has been overlooked.
Three Trends to Watch Coming Out of Black Philanthropy Month 2024
August’s celebration of Black philanthropy came at a fraught time, with a pivotal election looming and a racial equity backlash ongoing. But there are hopeful signs, including support for HBCUs and historic preservation.
An Affinity Group of Big-Name Funders Aims to Combat “Backsliding” on Racial Equity
The Race and Equity in Philanthropy Group, whose members control over $44 billion in assets, has issued a call to action and hopes to host a series of gatherings to help racial equity funders strategize against an ongoing backlash.
Two Big Reasons Why Criminal Justice Reform Funding Took a Dive — and Hasn’t Recovered
Conversations with criminal justice reform leaders reveal some broad reasons why funding fell dramatically after hitting an all-time high in 2020 — and that there’s some hope for a more sustainable way forward.
Will Bloomberg’s Big HBCU Gift Spur Other Donors to Narrow the Racial Wealth Gap in Higher Ed?
Bloomberg Philanthropies’ $600 million commitment more than doubles the endowments of three of the nation’s four historically Black medical schools. Is a paradigm shift toward broader big-donor HBCU support underway?
With DEI Under Fire, a Historic Trust Doubles Down on Funding Civil Rights Sites
The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund has raised over $140 million since 2017. Its support is sustaining historical sites, Black churches, HBCUs and more.
Latinos Will Play a Critical Role in the Upcoming Election. Here’s What Funders Are Supporting
Among the fastest-growing racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. electorate, Latinos are poised to be a major deciding factor in November’s races. Philanthropic funders are backing lots of efforts to engage them — here’s an overview.
The Power of Place-Based Partnerships in the Fight for Equity
In this guest opinion, authors from the Aspen Institute and FSG make the case that more funder support for multisector place-based partnerships is necessary in the face of a backlash against racial equity work.
Once a “Juvenile Lifer,” This Foundation Leader Works to Elevate an Overlooked Population
As head of the New Breath Foundation, Eddy Zheng draws on his own past experience to raise awareness and resources for an overlooked group: AANHPI people impacted by the U.S. criminal justice and immigration systems.
Facing Threats to Racial Equity Work, Borealis’ REACH Fund Continues Consistent, Steady Approach
With 10 new backers and a long-term commitment to transforming the sector, this fund providing nonprofits with racial equity training has the potential for impact well beyond what would seem possible given its limited budget.
Patrons, Playwrights and More: Five Notable Arts Philanthropies Founded by People of Color
Arts-focused funding vehicles established by people of color account for a small but important and varied segment of a sprawling arts ecosystem. Here are five of them to watch.
What the Collapse of a Major HBCU Donation Tells Us About Structural Inequities in Philanthropy
Gregory Gerami’s $237 million gift to Florida A&M would have been the largest-ever HBCU donation, but it wasn’t meant to be. Institutional missteps aside, the whole saga speaks to deeper inequities plaguing the sector.
With Racial Equity Under Fire, Will Grantmakers Sustain Their Commitments?
As we mark Juneteenth, it’s also been about four years since 2020’s outpouring of philanthropic commitments for racial equity and justice. Can funders stay the course amid a worsening backlash?
It’s Time to Invest in Loving Systems to Support Black Male Student Success
In this guest piece, Dr. John H. Jackson makes the case that when funders provide Black male students with “the core supports you would provide children you love,” everyone in the classroom benefits.
Funders Launch Initiative to Provide Legal Education and Defense for Racial Justice Organizations
Led by the California Black Freedom Fund, the new Legal Education, Advocacy, and Defense (LEAD) for Racial Justice Initiative is responding to legal attacks on racial justice prerogatives that could dampen grantmaker support.
Six Questions for Morgan (Mo) Willis and MARS. Marshall, Co-Directors at Third Wave Fund
We connected with the dauntlessly progressive funding intermediary’s new co-directors to talk about their backgrounds, views on philanthropy, and why disempowered folks should seek to “presume their power.”
One Organization’s Quest to Forge a Civic Path Out of the Culture Wars, and Rally Funders
The Harwood Institute is working to help communities find common ground and avoid the political and cultural clashes that are dividing the country. It’s also seeking to bring more philanthropic funders to that work.
To Build Black Wealth, This Regional Regrantor’s Initiative Is Directly Funding Individuals
Nexus Community Partners’ $50 million Open Road Fund aims to help descendants of the Atlantic slave trade build and sustain wealth. Fund Director Danielle Mkali walks us through how it works.
Just Value Is Taking On Biased Home Appraisals with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Help
The foundation is supporting a company that’s creating an equity-focused model for home valuation, an area where offsetting bias could have a big impact on racial wealth disparities.
Why This Donor Was Inspired to Step Up for Tulsa Race Massacre Victims
New York philanthropist Ed Mitzen provided $1 million to compensate the three centenarian survivors of the 1921 terrorist massacre that destroyed Tulsa’s “Black Wall Street.” We connected with him to find out more.
Three Ways Philanthropy Can Respond to Attacks on Affirmative Action, According to Black Leaders
Black leaders in philanthropy are engaged in “strategic defiance” as a backlash against affirmative action threatens hard-fought progress. Guest author Brea Baker shares some of their suggestions from a recent ABFE convening.
Behind a Latina Donor’s Big Gift for Critical Race Studies at UCLA
Critical race theory is still drawing some significant support, despite conservative attacks and mischaracterizations. We take a look at Alicia Miñana de Lovelace’s recent gift for critical race studies at UCLA Law.
Eight Questions for Julián Castro, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation
We recently caught up with the national political star and former presidential candidate, who is now heading up a growing regional grantmaker on a mission to “unleash the power of Latinos in California” — and beyond.
To Mobilize Voters, the Latino Community Foundation Reaches Beyond California for the First Time
Known for its Golden State focus, the foundation is now expanding its voter engagement funding into Arizona and Nevada. We checked in with CEO Julián Castro about the power of engaging Latino voters this election cycle.
New Multisector Effort Looks to Unblock the Funding Spigot for Indigenous Communities in the U.S.
Launched at a recent White House roundtable, two new funds will draw on philanthropic capital to boost investment in Indigenous communities in the U.S. The aim is to make a geyser of federal spending easier to access.
“Not Just a Gift of Money.” How a Major Foundation Embraced Endowment Funding to Advance Equity
Endowment funding is commonplace for institutions like hospitals and universities, but much rarer for social change organizations. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is one funder looking to flip that script.
“It Is So Worth It.” How This Regional Funder Shares Power Through Partner-Led Grantmaking
Most of the Bush Foundation’s grantmaking dollars flow through an array of community regranting partners. We chat with its leaders about this maximalist power-sharing approach, tips for aspiring practitioners and much more.
