Giving Compass' Take:

• Kathleen Enright, writing for Council on Foundations, discusses how philanthropy should work to fix a broken system that alienates people of color and disproportionately strikes these communities. 

• COVID-19, police brutality, systemic racism, and oppression all harm communities of color.  How can your charitable dollars work to fix this broken system? What are the first steps? 

 • Learn more about the funding disparities for leaders of color in philanthropy.

While many are experiencing unprecedented dread and fear, communities of color and Indigenous communities are particularly weary. Having already borne the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic, with loved ones sickened, dying, or economically crushed by the virus, these communities are forced to endure repeated unjust killings and increased policing with no end in sight. Increased displays of public xenophobia and violence have harmed Asian and Latinx communities. It is unbearable to witness.

In this tragic time, philanthropy must commit to breaking the cycle of racist violence and oppression that is killing people and destroying communities. We have an obligation to redouble our efforts to admit to what is wrong, fix what is broken and help communities heal.

I’ve heard many leaders in philanthropy talk about “building back better” in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis. I wonder what that really means? I know what it does not mean.

  • Building back better does not mean rebuilding an unjust status quo system that works for some but not for all.
  • Building back better does not mean ensuring comfort, safety and economic opportunity for White Americans while leaving Black Americans, Indigenous communities, and communities of color behind.
  • Building back better does not mean allowing insidious beliefs and false assumptions about who deserves to survive and thrive in America go unchecked.
  • Building back better does not mean preparing for a “new normal” but creating the “next normal”.

Philanthropy has been at the heart of major advancements in society for generations and will continue to play an important role long into the future, but only if we use the power, privilege and resources we are afforded to create meaningful, deep and transformative change that combats racism as its own deadly disease.

Read the full article about philanthropy should fix a broken system by Kathleen Enright at Council on Foundations.