My journey to Headwaters has been a long and windy path. I went to school to become a lawyer, and, instead, I became a philanthropist.

In my work, I ask people to invest in the power, self-determination, and optimism of Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color. I invite them to acknowledge and celebrate—not just tolerate—the lived experiences and agency of immigrants and refugees and queer and trans folks and people with disabilities. When I ask people for money, I ask them to give without strings, without restrictions. I ask our donors to give up some of their power.

I remember one of the first donor meetings I had when I started working as the Development Director at Headwaters. This was the first time in my fundraising career where my boss encouraged me to go deeper than traditional fundraising practices teach. Up until then, I usually started meetings by asking questions about the donor’s giving goals and donor history.

I took a deep breath and said: “Tell me about your wealth and privilege. Where did it come from? How do you feel about it?”

For the next two hours, Elizabeth and I engaged in one of the most meaningful conversations I have ever experienced with a donor. She talked about her family and how she came into her wealth.

What I came to realize was that even though our class backgrounds were so divergent, we both experienced shame about money and class. The honesty of our conversation surprised me.

By breaking one of society’s rules with Elizabeth, I decided I couldn’t turn back to my old fundraising practices. I committed to change the ways that I would work with donors, and how I would relate to money in my own life. It was time to heal.

When I ask donors to give, I’m asking them to give their money new meaning and power. Financially investing in the people most affected by injustice and oppression is a radical act of liberation. It frees money from the shackles of judgement and shame. Giving without strings or restrictions shifts the power dynamic and relationship between the donor and the receiver. It acknowledges the inherent dignity and humanity of the receiver. It connects the giver to something bigger than oneself. Philanthropy—the love of humankind—means that we are all connected.

Read the full article about understanding donor wealth at Headwaters Foundation for Justice.