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.

  • 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
  • Perspective

    Funding Movement Building is Critical to Criminal Justice Reform

    A broad ecosystem of nonprofits, coalitions and leaders of color are working across the United States to transform the criminal legal system to one that is just and equitable.

    • Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
    • June 2022
  • Publication

    Centering Equity through Flexible, Reliable Funding

    With this guide, GEO seeks to reassert the value of flexible, reliable funding with an updated analysis and set of examples to illustrate how a commitment to flexible, reliable funding can support the sector to be more equitable and community driven in its practice.

    • Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
    • May 2022
  • Perspective

    Facing a World without Roe: How Effective Grantmaking Combats Inequity

    Here at GEO, we envision and are co-creating a community of courageous grantmakers working in service of nonprofits and communities to create a just, connected and inclusive society where we can all thrive.

    • Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
    • May 2022

Upcoming Events

  • Conferences

    2024 National Conference

    Save the Date for GEO's 2024 National Conference held in partnership with Southern California Grantmakers from June 3 - 5, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

    • June 2024

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.