From Council on Foundations: 

We invite philanthropic and nonprofit organizations to sign on to the statement below to join the Council on Foundations and Independent Sector in supporting the rights of philanthropic organizations, charitable nonprofits, and individual donors to give in ways that align with their values.  

We believe that philanthropic organizations, charitable nonprofits, and individual donors have the right to exercise their values and views through giving money and other resources, as protected by the First Amendment. That includes efforts to support historically marginalized groups. 

Right now, those fundamental rights are under attack, in the form of a lawsuit by the American Alliance for Equal Rights. AAER has sued the Atlanta-based Fearless Foundation – led by Black women and committed to providing grants, tools, and mentorship to women of color – claiming that its program for Black female entrepreneurs is racially discriminatory.  

While we have different views, funding priorities and values, we, the undersigned, stand together in affirming that: 

Philanthropic donations support our communities in ways that mirror the diversity of our priorities and interests. 
Charitable giving is expressive conduct and a form of nonpartisan, constitutionally protected speech. 
Philanthropy has a positive impact for communities and charitable causes across the country, including supporting historically marginalized groups and communities. 
Philanthropic organizations, charitable nonprofits, and individual donors have the right to exercise their views through giving, as protected by the First Amendment, even when others might disagree with where a funder chooses to donate. However, together, we have a duty to ensure that charitable dollars never promote hate, extremism, and violence.  

We are committed to making it easier for organizations and people to give, across all dimensions of society, not harder. We call on the courts to dismiss this lawsuit and uphold the First Amendment rights of philanthropic organizations, charitable nonprofits, and individual donors to give in ways that align with their values. 

Read the full letter here.

From Funders for Justice:

Why This Pledge? BIPOC-led groups on the frontlines of social justice fights face sustained attacks from well-resourced, powerful opposition forces, putting their lives and organizations at risk and compromising their ability to secure victories. Movement groups report digital, physical, and psychological security threats; politically motivated attempts to strip them of their nonprofit status; and political prosecutions for their constitutionally-protected activism. At the same time, the BIPOC, queer, trans, and migrant communities in which they organize are also under political attack, facing targeted surveillance and criminalization as well.  

Sadly, these threats are not new. Social justice movements have always been met with vigorous and often violent opposition, dating back to this nation’s origins of slavery and genocide.  In recent years as social justice movements have gained increasing visibility, these threats have gained reinvigorated steam. 

The stakes are high, and the need is great.  We believe that philanthropy’s failure to provide BIPOC-led social justice groups with robust, long-term support has made it nearly impossible for movements to build durable safety and security infrastructure. We have come together with a sense of urgency to align our giving and mobilize a robust philanthropic response that matches the scale, duration, and sophistication of the attacks BIPOC-led social justice groups face.  We encourage our philanthropic colleagues to join us in taking the pledge.

Read the full pledge and learn how to support here.

From Arts Funders Forum: 

End the year with some of the thought leaders that we turn to for advice and wisdom. Hear about the most pressing issues facing arts funding, and their actionable solutions to forge ahead in 2024. 

Join them for this webinar on December 19 at 11 CT/12pm ET.

Learn more and register here. 

From the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation: 

Community Foundations for Just Communities
Thursday January 18 from 2-3:30 EST/1-2:30 CST/noon-1:30 MST/11-12:30 PST

Community Foundations can open doors for new ways to support artists and arts organizations.  Donor advised funds (DAFs), collaborations with private foundations, advocacy and lobbying are all aspects that can bring more resources to the field.  

Structurally, Community Foundations have been set up to preserve the status quo – to attract and retain donors. How do/can community foundations question and challenge inequitable practices, address power dynamics and experiment towards just futures?  

This session is a follow-up from our conversation at the November GIA conference in San Juan. The topic will be selected by the participants. Some of the possibilities include:

·  increase access for artists/arts organizations to DAFs and donors, including non-financial support

·  fund individual artists beyond project-based grants by moving into more unrestricted/practice based grants

·  integrate practices of Trust Based Philanthropy to strengthen relationships with our community partners, colleagues, donors, and boards  

·  collaborate with local government to influence cultural policy and practices  

·  work holistically across sectors and issue areas

Please join us as we continue the dialogue and seek ways we can collaborate on creating a more equitable future!  

Feel free to reach out to Sharon DeMark at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation with any questions: sharon.demark@spmcf.org

Zoom link:
https://spmcf.zoom.us/j/88624342437?pwd=5PxAbmuo1Qzp5QqR2onG6gQieE2tsb.1

Meeting ID: 886 2434 2437
Passcode: 743181

From Funders for LGBTQ Issues: 

Encouraging funders to increase their grantmaking to transgender communities requires shifting philanthropic culture to be more inclusive and supportive of binary and non-binary transgender and gender non-conforming people as employees, colleagues, and leaders within the sector. Yet transgender people remain woefully under-represented in philanthropy, and trans-specific professional and leadership development opportunities remain rare.

Grantmakers United for Trans Communities (GUTC) develops trans leadership in philanthropy to strengthen the pipeline of trans professionals in the field, with the long-term goal of increasing the number of trans people working and taking leadership in philanthropy. The primary way we do this is through our Grantmakers United for Trans Communities (GUTC) Leaders Fellowship.

Learn more and apply here.

From The Boston Foundation: 

The Latino Equity Fund at the Boston Foundation (LEF) today announced $375,000 in grants to 20 Latinx-serving organizations in Massachusetts. The grants, made through an open request for proposals in September, bring the total grantmaking from the Fund to over $1.8 million since 2013, with $692,000 being distributed this calendar year, making 2023 the largest giving year for LEF.

“We are a small but mighty fund, and we know the need is urgent for Latinx-serving organizations. We are committed to raising additional funds and expanding our grantmaking further next year,” said Javier Juarez, who became the Latino Equity Fund’s director in February. “I am proud of the work happening at LEF. As the only fund dedicated to Latinos in Massachusetts, we have a special responsibility in philanthropy, and it is my role to continue building partnerships that will increase our impact year to year. The time to support Latinos is now, and we are ready to lead the way.”

The Latino Equity Fund, a unique partnership between local Latinx leaders and the Boston Foundation, is the first Latinx-focused fund in the Commonwealth. The LEF uses its influence and platform to amplify diverse voices and perspectives within the Latinx community in Greater Boston and the state, with a focus on achieving greater and more equitable access to economic prosperity and well-being.

“The Latino Equity Fund is a powerful force for change. The Fund is breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for Latinos to thrive. It’s a transformative investment in the Commonwealth’s future.” said  Aixa Beauchamp, who co-founded the Latino Equity Fund in 2013 and continues to co-chair the Fund’s Advisory Board.

“I’m particularly excited about the organizations we’re supporting this year as they truly reflect the Latino Equity Fund’s renewed focus on economic prosperity and health equity,” added Juan Lopera, co-chair of the Latino Equity Fund Advisory Board.

Learn more here.