Decision-makers such as elected officials and institutional funders have historically ignored and underinvested in BIPOC communities. Conscientious funders are asking big, long-overdue questions: how do grantmaking policies, practices, and cultures play a role in perpetuating imbalances in power and resource allocation? How can we, as grantmakers, address that?
In the COVID-19 world, funders may increasingly find themselves in discussions with nonprofit partners about merger exploration as a potential way to ensure that mission and organizational needs continue to be met. We are seeing an upswell of interest and are encouraged by the sector’s willingness to provide funding for sustained collaboration efforts.
In this critical time, and with a sense of urgency, many philanthropic organizations are shifting the ways in which they are supporting grantees. However, foundation staff are increasingly wondering about the last point: “What grantee outcomes will we be able to report on if they are not submitting reports?,” “What do we mean by relaxing reporting requirements?,” “How can we ensure that our funds are used effectively?,” and “For how long should these changes be in effect?”
The demand for racial justice erupting across a nation ravaged by a pandemic disproportionately impacting communities of color is a call to action: the time for grantmakers to invest in Black leaders and Black-led organizations in America is now.
Andy Goodman, director and co-founder of the Goodman Center, is launching a new survey to examine how online work--generally and in light of the pandemic--is impacting us all.
Hear from GEO CEO, Marcus Walton, as he reflects on how hope alone is not a sufficient strategy for change to effectively prevent future racial atrocities and offers thoughts on what a responsive philanthropic strategy must involve.
For the last two months, grantmaking organizations have focused on triage as we’ve rushed to keep staff safe, to communicate with and support grantees, to reallocate, shift, and increase funding, and to balance former priorities with new demands of the pandemic. Now, the national, state, and local conversation is shifting to the highly complicated topic of “re-opening.” Funders are beginning to ask themselves: what’s next as we move from triage to transition? Do we consider returning to the workplace and, if so, how and when?
Like many other grantmakers, the CLIPF community mobilized quickly to support grantees and communities amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Within a few weeks, most had extended or renewed grants to current grantees, loosened or eliminated restrictions on funding, relaxed application and reporting requirements, redirected funds directly to Covid-related relief, joined (and hosted) pooled funds with colleagues, and partnered to provide relief directly to families. But changes don’t just happen without scaffolding and support. What do leaders need to be doing inside organizations to set the stage for these crucial shifts?
