Giving Compass' Take:

· Writing for the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, Makiyah Moody explains how equity has been at the forefront of philanthropic mission statements, but those words have translated into little action. 

· How does equity play a role in your philanthropy?

· Check out this article about the illusion of “leveling the playing field” and the myth of fairness in philanthropy.

I try not to be cynical, but over the last 2 years “equity” has become a bumper sticker – an appendage that organizations slap on their requests for proposals, brochures and websites to communicate that they are about the work of eliminating racial disparities.

These organizations have the right language to talk about their pursuits related to diversity, equity and inclusion, yet their language is often incongruent with their actions. It’s ignorance at best and calculated scheming at worst.

Equity as a concept has gained momentum for foundations due in large part to organizations like NCRP and Edgar Villanueva emphasizing the fractures, power imbalances and displacement of communities in decision-making, and asking whether there is another way.

Read the full article about inequity and power imbalance by Makiyah Moody at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy.