From Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors: “How might philanthropy better support efforts to build and preserve democracy given the deep-seated and persistent problems of racial injustice and inequity, especially in light of recent elections and societal trends? Democracy-Focused Philanthropy: Choosing Operating Models for Deeper Impact, a new publication released today by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA), seeks to address this question, and to highlight the central role of equity and racial justice in democracy-focused philanthropy. Based on research commissioned by the  Democracy Fund  for its own strategic planning process, the report is the result of extensive research on more than a dozen democracy funders as well as interviews with leaders of ten additional foundations deeply engaged in democracy-related issues, and six experts on racial justice and DEI.”
“In 2021, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) completed research on philanthropy that was focused on protecting democracy in the United States that was commissioned by Democracy Fund for its own strategic planning process. In this research, RPA gave special attention to equity and racial justice dimensions of democracy philanthropy. Through interviews with funders and practitioners, and review of selected secondary sources1, RPA collected a wide range of information on the various ways in which philanthropy can and should support efforts to build and preserve democracy by addressing deep-seated and persistent problems of racial injustice and inequity in both the field, and in our own institutions. This report presents RPA’s insights on this important and timely topic, with the objective of helping funders understand the menu of options at their disposal for democracy philanthropy.”
“Research for this report was conducted between 2020 and 2021, during which time racial justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) came to the forefront of philanthropic interests and conversations. Arguably, and regrettably, some of the momentum to spur real action in addressing racial injustice has been lost in recent months. We believe that the findings presented in this report, in particular the compelling insights of our interviewees, can reinvigorate discussions and commitments to racial justice, DEI, and the broader agenda of advancing democracy in the United States and around the world.”