Philanthropy relies on the amassed wealth of families and institutions that have benefited from systemic racism. As a result, the institution has a power imbalance in where funds go and what organizations and initiatives receive support.

Developing a deeper understanding of institutional racism in the United States can help lean funders dismantle the harmful practices and power disparities that perpetuate inequities in philanthropy today.

This three-part blog series can serve as a starting point for this work. Over the next few weeks, we’ll explore:

  • Developing a shared language
  • Understanding an anti-racist intersectional frame
  • Actionable steps to make philanthropy more equitable

Miscommunications make advancing racial equity even more difficult, so establishing a shared language around key concepts and terms is crucial. The Center for the Study of Social Policy’s glossary for shared understanding defines Key Equity Terms & Concepts:

Racism: The systematic subjugation of members of targeted racial groups, who hold less socio-political power and/or are racialized as non-White, as means to uphold White supremacy.

White supremacy: An institutionally perpetuated and ever-evolving system of exploitation and domination that consolidates and maintains power and resources among White people.

Anti-racism: The active process of identifying and challenging racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices, and attitudes to redistribute power in an equitable manner.

Funders can start to think about what it means to engage in philanthropy in a way that’s anti-racist by developing a shared language around White supremacy, racism and what it means to engage in anti-racism.

Read the full article about developing a shared language in philanthropy by Maya Pendleton at Exponent Philanthropy.