Focusing Philanthropy on Social Justice and Racial Equity

The goal of JustPhilanthropy.org is to stimulate more, better philanthropic activity that levels the playing field, reduces barriers to access, and closes the gaps so that our public systems and private markets perform more fairly for all. Its goal is to help move philanthropy closer to social justice and racial equity.

Based on reflective conversations with nearly 100 philanthropic organizations operating in both African American and White American settings, the presentation on this site is built on the experience of those already moving philanthropy closer to social justice and racial equity.

JustPhilanthropy.org provides a framework for achieving greater impact. It guides you to actions that make a difference in closing well-documented gaps in racial equity.

On JustPhilanthropy.org, you'll find:

A framework -- six pathways to progress -- that allows you to use your philanthropic resources more strategically, improving the chances of long-term success. You can "start where you are" and begin to do good on any pathway at your level of interest.

"Success" defined in a sensible, approachable way -- it's all about making and noticing progress in closing the gaps -- with benchmarks to aim for. The findings build on a realistic approach to evaluation that's more about "improving" efforts than "proving" them. JustPhilanthropy.org assumes you want to help make progress, and guides your choices.

A set of promising practices that can "move the needle," with examples from the field and links to practitioner organizations.

Short essays and tools allowing you to go deeper on key topics ("gaps in racial equity," "moving past the silence," "relationships as infrastructure," "going upstream," and "culturally appropriate technical assistance").

Ways to put your resources to work that can make a real difference. Philanthropy is practiced by the generous side in each of us, in our roles as worthy individuals, parents, neighbors, and workers, wherever we live or work. And philanthropy, on this Web site, is about giving not only treasure, but also time and talent.

Choices for giving, grantmaking, and grant writing that go way beyond simple charity, into all the areas of advocacy and support for justice and equity that the law permits.

Many reference points for understanding "your" activities. "You" can refer to you yourself individually, to the organization where you work, to you acting inside your organization, or your organization acting in the community.

Ways to use this website. It would be difficult for just one person to study this website and be able to influence others without engaging them. Organizational and community change are group activities. So, with your colleagues, explore the Pathways and Resources, and engage in the following cycle of activities.

Discuss in what ways your organization’s areas of interest – education, justice, health, etc – are more complicated in the real world because different racial and ethnic groups don’t fare as well. What implications are there for the mission of your own philanthropy?

Examine the intention of your efforts. Do they help the casualties or victims of dysfunctional systems, one at a time? Are they focused on closing a particular gap so there will be fewer casualties or victims. Both?

Take stock of your practices. How many of the promising practices described in the Pathways can you claim for yourselves? In what ways are your philanthropic resources – time, talent, treasure -- devoted to addressing gaps or disparities?

Assess opportunities. Can you imagine that any of these promising practices would put your resources to better use, given your mission? Is it opportune for incorporating any of these practices into your repertoire? How can you help your organization or partners get more ready?

Plan, get support for, and implement changes to your practices. Promote changes that can be more justified than present practice for achieving a more level playing field in an area of interest to you. Make changes when necessary; practice different ways of achieving your new goal. Stay accountable.

Evaluate the fruits of your efforts. Become a better student of your own efforts. Is there evidence your changes are beneficial? Are you engaged with the problem (or its solution) in more productive ways? Can you express this evidence of change both quantitatively and qualitatively, with numbers and words?

Communicate progress to you care about, and those who care about you. Any progress is worth mentioning, since that is what those wishing you well want to know about. Tell the story of your progress, using a variety of story lines and evidence that people can understand. Support flows to those making progress.

This page updated 1 Nov 07