Members discuss smarter grantmaking practices.

What We Care About

Equity

No matter the outcome we are working toward, our institutions and systems were built to advantage some but not all — and data shows that inequities persist to this day. These inequities become more apparent when we take race into account.

GEO has made a commitment to focus on racial equity in grantmaking with the intention of including other dimensions, such as ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation and disabilities as we move further along in this work.

The ultimate goal of grantmaking is to help nonprofits grow stronger to make faster progress on complex issues within our communities. To achieve our vision for individuals and communities, grantmakers must work to address the historic, emerging, dynamic and collective forces at work to suppress racial justice. We as grantmakers inherently do our work from a position of privilege. Actively working to responsibly use our position of privilege to address inequity is the bedrock of effective grantmaking.

We can all find more ways to close the gap between our aspirations and our daily actions. To that end, GEO is creating spaces for these conversations, highlighting resources and stories from those who are already making great strides, and incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of our work.

As a predominantly white organization working in a predominantly white field, GEO has made a commitment to learning and improving internally to better support our members and the field. Steps taken so far include all-staff participation in ABFE’s Responsive Philanthropy in Black Communities training, establishing an internal vision and goals for our organization, the formation of an internal working group to guide and support our work, hiring a senior advisor on racial equity to bring additional capacity and expertise, and prioritizing relationship building with colleague organizations who have long been providing leadership on racial equity for the field of philanthropy.

You don’t do equity, you be equity, and at every moment you have an opportunity to choose equity.

Raquel Gutierrez, director, strategic learning and practice, Vitalyst Health Foundation

Helpful Tools and Resources

Stay informed of the emerging trends and promising practices from the field of philanthropy through GEO’s publications and research.

  • Perspective

    Important Update on #GEO2024 National Conference Date and Location

    We’re writing today with an important update regarding GEO’s 2024 National Conferences in Los Angeles. With the support of the conference host committee, program committee and the GEO board, we made the decision to cancel our contract with the JW Marriott Los Angeles LA Live in solidarity with the hotel workers. Our conference will now take place on May 20 – 23, 2024 at the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles.

    • Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
    • December 2023
  • Perspective

    Crosspost: Centering lived experience: Unlocking the preconditions for equity-rooted evaluation

    Kresge Strategic Learning and Evaluation Officer Arturo Garcia moderated a session at the 2023 Learning Conference of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO), exploring the preconditions for centering equity in evaluation.

    • Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
    • September 2023
  • GEOList Members Only

    GEOList Summary: Seeking survey instrument to gather baseline data on DEI within a funder

    Hello GEO community, I am hoping you can help. As part of our racial equity learning journey, we’re looking to survey our staff to get an understanding of their awareness & perceptions of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion and ideas for where we should go next in terms of centering racial equity in how we operate as an organization and in how we do grantmaking (strategies, policies and practices). We’ve got lots of good guides and resources, like the one put out by GEO. Right now, what would be most helpful is actual survey instruments (e.g., survey questions, survey framing, etc) that you’ve used at your philanthropic organization? Thanks in advance for considering and for sharing,

    • Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
    • June 2023
  • Publication

    A Change Management & Deep Equity Primer: The What, Why, How & Nuance

    This publication from Movement Tapestries offers insights and guidance for organizations navigating equity-embedded transformations, and the challenges that can come with embarking on such journeys.

    • Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
    • January 2023
  • Perspective

    Exploring GEO’s Approach to Equitable Conference Planning

    GEO's Allison Beck and Allison Punch-Turner share insights and lessons learned on how to apply equity-based practices for conference planning.

    • Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
    • August 2022

Upcoming Events

Discover More

I’m looking for
on this topic
Show me all resources for this topic

Perspectives on Philanthropy

Interesting thoughts and ideas circulating in the GEO community.

Related Topics

Collaboration

No organization has the resources to address the complex issues facing our communities. Working together gives us an opportunity to create real change.

Learn More

Culture

Productive grantmaker culture is one that accelerates progress by supporting nonprofits to be successful.

Learn More

Strengthening Relationships

When we build trust and tap the knowledge and perspective of nonprofits and the communities we serve, we create better solutions.

Learn More
Akilah Massey

Questions?

Speak directly to our Vice President of Programs

Reach out

Join the GEO Community

500+ members sharing insights and learnings to move philanthropy forward.