The reality is that philanthropy was not created for women and girls of color. But the current moment we are in provides an opportunity for us to rethink, change, and adapt to a model of philanthropy that is more inclusive and supportive. The question is—how do we do this?
Over 170 members and supporters of CWIP and Chicago Foundation for Women (CFW) discussed this and other questions during a lively and inspiring event co-hosted by both organizations on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. The virtual event, “Making Change: Shifting the Philanthropic Landscape for Women of Color,” featured a conversation between Chicago Foundation for Women’s President and CEO Felicia Davis and the Ms. Foundation’s CEO and President Teresa Younger. The session began with a conversation about the Ms. Foundation’s report, Pocket Change: How Women and Girls of Color Do More With Less, which highlights the staggering asset gap between highly resourced nonprofits (often led by white men) and those run by and for women of color. This timely and impactful report can be found here, and quantifies the unconscious bias that many of us have seen and/or experienced related to who gets philanthropic support and what requirements and limitations often accompany those gifts.
Consider some of the requirements often associated with philanthropy—frequent reports, annual renewal processes, the narrow focus of many grantmaking organizations, and even the concept of favoring program support vs. general operating. All of these limitations put additional burdens on smaller nonprofits that are often run by and for women of color—and that are often understaffed and under-resourced already.
But we have an opportunity to imagine something different. Instead of reinforcing a capitalistic model, funding can be a catalyst for real change. That starts with a commitment to do better, and both Teresa Younger from the Ms. Foundation and CFW’s Felicia Davis talked about some of the concrete steps funders can take to create meaningful change, as well as ways to foster and support community-based solutions from the ground up. Building upon this passionate and inspiring conversation, participants went into breakout rooms to share their experiences and talk about how we can change our practices as a sector to center the experiences, needs, and power of women and girls of color.
As the event came to a close, panelists made an important point. The areas and sectors we work in related to philanthropy are not inherently gendered. But when we apply the lenses of gender and race discrepancies and inequities emerge. The only way to change this is to acknowledge where we come from and create a map for a new way forward. We must name it, track it, and change it—from the inside out and the top down.
If you are interested in learning more, we encourage you to watch the full event recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueIdBJsN-98 and sign up to get more involved with CWIP and CFW. Also, please join us on Friday August 6 from 8-9am for a Discussion on the Power of Mentorship as part of the CWIP’s Friday Share series.