Racial Equity Funding News
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A Dialogue on Identity, Strategy, and Philanthropy
Inside Philanthropy’s David Callahan and the Black Feminist Fund’s Tynesha McHarris continue their discussion of a crucial question: Should philanthropy center identity?
This Faith-Based Funder Is Standing Firm on Racial and Economic Justice
The Deaconess Foundation, a ministry of the United Church of Christ, is sticking to its commitment to social justice at a challenging time.
How Is Philanthropy Addressing the Traumatic Legacy of U.S. Indian Boarding Schools?
For more than a century, the U.S. forcibly placed Indigenous children in government-run boarding schools. Now, philanthropy is backing efforts to raise awareness and foster healing.
Retreating on Identity Will Not Unify Us
The cofounder and co-executive director of the Black Feminist Fund responds to David Callahan’s recent piece on identity and philanthropy, calling for the “courage to confront power rather than sidestep it.”
Is the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Turning Away From DEI for Good?
This year, the vastly endowed funder of biomedical research and STEM education has backed away from several notable DEI-focused programs.
How Seventh Generation Fund Advances Indigenous Peoples’ Self-Determination
“How are we going to answer to our ancestors?” Board members from the regrantor discuss its strategic priorities, how it works to engage institutional funders and more.
Inside the Black Freedom Fund’s Journey to Independence and Permanence
Launched in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, the pooled fund is now a legally independent organization. It’s facing stiff headwinds this year, but it’s in it for the long haul.
The Lilly School Went Deep on Giving for Communities of Color. What Did It Learn?
The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy analyzed funding trends for organizations serving communities of color and debuted a new online tool cataloging those groups.
5 Questions for Arts Patron Susan Fales-Hill on Black Philanthropy
The arts patron and “And Just Like That…” writer and producer tells us about her journey to philanthropy, how small gifts can go a long way, and about donors of color she’s inspired by.
This New Youth-Led Grantmaking Program Backs Indigenous Approaches to Health
The Indigenous Tomorrows Fund empowers young people to decide where the grant money flows. Here’s a closer look.
Black Feminist Fund Provides a Rare Lifeline for Global, Black-Women-Led Nonprofits
Amid an uncertain future for international women’s rights organizations, the fund announced $16 million in multi-year, unrestricted grants in April.
Asian Americans Have the Wealth. Where Is the Giving?
During AAPI Heritage Month, guest author Charles Lu lays out what AAPI donors — and philanthropy at large — must do to help communities gain more visibility.
Cave Canem’s Lisa Willis on Sustaining Black Literary Arts Organizations
Willis discusses a new report on the opportunities and challenges facing Black literary organizations, including those with cancelled or suspended NEA grants.
New L.A. Fund Backs a Fire-Ravaged Community that Faced Down Discrimination
The Black LA Relief & Recovery Fund will support communities impacted by the L.A. fires, especially those in the historically Black neighborhood of Altadena.
From Fighting Back to Cutting Back: Funder Responses to Trump Anti-DEI Orders Are Mixed
We reached out to 10 philanthropic organizations to see how they’re handling DEI work in light of Trump’s executive orders.
How Reparations Advocacy Funders Hope to Survive the DEI Backlash
Before the election, funding for reparations advocacy seemed to be thriving. Can it survive a second Trump administration?
Mellon Foundation Counters Dark Border Narratives with New Fund
With its new $25 million Frontera Culture Fund, the iconic arts and humanities funder aims to support authentic stories and cross-border exchange.
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.
