Racial equity is a critical element of philanthropy. While lean funders are increasingly focused on it, foundation boards and staff remain disproportionately White. Two of the primary factors holding back philanthropy’s efforts to advance social change are both tied to race:
- Understanding Race’s Role in the Issues: How race shapes the problems philanthropists aim to solve.
- Race in Leadership and Solutions: How race impacts the identification of leaders and the strategies used to find solutions.
Why Demographic Representation Matters
Examining the demographic makeup of foundation boards and staff is important, and reflecting on why and how your foundation might be contributing to these disparities is essential. Acknowledging this can be the first step toward meaningful change.
No One-Size-Fits-All Solution
There is no single answer or a definitive next step for addressing racial equity in philanthropy. Each foundation must chart its own course by reflecting on its practices, both internally and externally.
Reflection Questions for Lean Funders
To help your foundation make progress, we’ve compiled questions to guide your discussions around racial equity. These questions are designed to help you identify areas where you’re succeeding and where there’s room for growth:
- How does race factor into the issues your foundation addresses?
- Does your foundation’s leadership reflect the communities you serve?
- What steps can you take to promote racial equity in your decision-making processes?
- How do your grantmaking practices advance or hinder racial equity?
- In what ways can you support leaders from diverse racial backgrounds?
Moving Forward
By engaging with these questions, your foundation can begin to recognize areas of strength and uncover opportunities to increase your impact. The journey toward racial equity is ongoing, and it starts with open, honest reflection.