iF, A Foundation for Radical Possibility’s Post

Juneteenth: A Day to Celebrate and a Call to Action 🙌🏿✊🏿 Today, we celebrate a hard-fought victory in the centuries-long struggle for Black liberation. We honor the resilience of those who endured the unspeakable cruelties of slavery. We commemorate the belated arrival of emancipation in Texas, the last stronghold of the Confederacy to fall, fully two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. 📜 But even as we celebrate, we must confront the unfinished business of reconstruction. The end of legal slavery was but one milestone on the pathway to true freedom and equality. 📊 Over 150 years since the first Juneteenth, we are still living in a nation defined by stark racial inequities. The median white family holds six times the wealth of the median Black family. 💸 Our schools and neighborhoods remain segregated. 🏫 Voter suppression tactics aim to disenfranchise Black communities. 🗳️ Police violence against Black bodies continues unabated. 🚨 💼 This is the context in which my colleagues and I at The Bridgespan Group do our work. We are committed to shining a light on the underfunding of nonprofit leaders of color 🔦. We celebrate Black brilliance and resilience through the inspiring stories of Dreaming in Color 🌈. We contribute to evolving discussions of reparations and strategies for narrowing the racial wealth gap 💡. In all of this, we recognize that the struggle continues. So on this Juneteenth, let us honor the past by taking up the challenges of the present. Our shared liberation is an unfinished project - and we all have a part to play. --Racial equity resources: https://lnkd.in/eKYDmTuT --Dreaming in Color: https://lnkd.in/eqsPXbBQ --Reparations: https://lnkd.in/ekzmCKBr --Racial Wealth Gap: https://lnkd.in/ebKAemmA #liberation #freedom #racialequity #philanthropy #blackleaders #juneteenth #unfinishedstruggle

Community-led organizations play a vital role in fostering economic empowerment in Black communities. These organizations not only address systemic challenges but also nurture local leadership, build collective wealth, and provide opportunities for sustainable growth. According to the 2016 report The Tapestry of Black Business Ownership in America, Black households hold just 1/10th the wealth of white households, a disparity driven by limited intergenerational wealth transfer. This stark inequality goes beyond rhetoric—it calls for transformative action.  Philanthropy is uniquely positioned to support these community-led efforts. Foundations like The Annie E. Casey Foundation and JPMorgan Chase have made meaningful investments in empowering Black communities. By providing sustained funding and amplifying the work of grassroots organizations, we can collectively drive systemic change, close the wealth gap, and uplift Black communities for generations to come.  Let’s champion community-centered solutions that build long-term economic power.  #EconomicEmpowerment #BlackCommunities #Philanthropy #WealthGap #RacialEquity #PincusFamilyFoundation #Community

One of our core values at Philanthropy Northwest is racial justice. It is a key part of our mission to grow philanthropy's capacity for transformative work, redistributing resources and power to underinvested communities in the Northwest and beyond. 🌷 Learn more about our work to catalyze transformation and collective impact in our refreshed strategic plan: https://ow.ly/7WTk50Syml3 How does your organization empower racial justice?

Excellent, transparent narrative here. So much truth-which is unfortunate Read until the end where the author, Chanda C. offers their five tips on discerning what leadsrs are walking into. "A New Form of White Flight Leadership transitions are challenging in any organization, regardless of racial dynamics. But when leaders of color are tasked with fixing these problems, they are too often left with little to no cash (nor significant funder relationships) to help them do it. Research from the Building Movement Project’s Race to Lead initiative found that 63 percent of POC leaders cite a lack of access to individual donors as a fundraising challenge, compared to 49 percent of white leaders who say this is a challenge. Similarly, 51 percent of POC leaders cite lack of access to foundations as a challenge compared to 41 percent of white leaders. "In practice, this makes nonprofit executives of color more like “the help” than the leaders they could be."

Nwamaka Agbo, MPA, CEO of the Kataly Foundation, believes that philanthropy must stand firmly on the side of justice to fulfill its role in fostering a more inclusive and equitable democracy. In a recent piece from The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Agbo argues that true advancements in American democracy have always been achieved through organized resistance, not by waiting for change. As a result, philanthropy must provide unwavering support to social movements and communities, taking bold steps towards a truly inclusive democracy. Read the full piece to learn how Agbo believes we can collectively push for a more equitable future. #SocialJusticePhilanthropy #KatalyFoundation #EquitableDemocracy

Resource from Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (report and webinar): "How to Talk Bridge-y" Since 2019, PACE has been leading research on the impressions and relationships American voters have with various civic terms, surveying thousands and gaining rich insights about the power of words to connect and divide us from people different than ourselves. Along the way, we were compelled by the challenge many face in philanthropy and in civic life broadly: finding ways to appeal to a broad audience without sending unintended signals that halt a conversation before it even begins. In this groundbreaking report ... [Read more!] https://buff.ly/3vmeqU0

Juneteenth is More Than a Day Off: Celebrating Freedom with Purpose, Action, and Impact in Philanthropy As we commemorate Juneteenth, we are reminded of the historic strides made towards freedom and equality, and the enduring journey that lies ahead. This day marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in 1865, a pivotal moment in American history that underscores the resilience, strength, and unyielding spirit of the Black community. For those of us in the philanthropic sector, Juneteenth serves as a profound reminder of our role in championing justice, equity, and systemic change. Philanthropy has the power to shape a more equitable society, and Juneteenth is a call to action for all of us. Here’s how we can harness this moment to make a lasting impact: Educate and Advocate: Utilize your platforms to educate stakeholders about the significance of Juneteenth and the ongoing struggles for racial justice. Encourage conversations that foster deeper understanding and commitment to Black history and culture. Invest in Black-Led Organizations: Direct funding to Black-led nonprofits and initiatives that are at the forefront of social justice work. Amplify their voices and support their missions to drive meaningful change. Promote Economic Empowerment: Support programs and initiatives that focus on economic empowerment within the Black community. This can include funding for Black-owned businesses, workforce development, and financial literacy programs. Engage in Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with other foundations, corporations, and community organizations to create a unified approach to addressing systemic inequalities. Strategic partnerships can amplify impact and drive sustainable change. Advocate for Policy Change: Leverage your influence to advocate for policies that address systemic racism and promote equity. Engage in policy discussions, support advocacy efforts, and fund research that informs equitable policy development. Reflect and Commit: Take this opportunity to reflect on your organization’s practices and commitments to racial equity. Conduct equity audits, engage in ongoing learning, and make tangible commitments to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within your organization and the communities you serve. Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility in the philanthropic sector to advance freedom, justice, and equality. Let us honor this day not only with celebration but with purposeful actions that drive impactful change. Together, we can build a future where equity and justice are realities for all. #Juneteenth #Philanthropy #SocialJustice #RacialEquity #CommunityImpact #EconomicEmpowerment #PolicyChange #BlackHistoryisAmericanHistory

If you haven’t already, check out the newest CNWF blog post on Black Philanthropy. Philanthropy in the Black community is diverse and multifaceted, reflecting a long history of mutual aid, communal support, and efforts to address social inequities. For ways to make a case for intentional, curated initiatives that amplify Black philanthropy, visit: https://lnkd.in/guSEhHn8 I'm eager to hear your perspectives, so let's engage in a discussion in the comments! #BlackPhilanthropy #CNWF

We should be clear that our movements and movement leaders are targets for right-wing disinformation, legislation, strategy, and violence. And those attacks are well-funded.

Today we celebrate #BlackPhilanthropyMonth, a time to celebrate the brilliance and imagination that Black folks bring to philanthropy, this month’s theme is “Afro-Futures in Giving” Black women have been on the cutting edge of breaking down the traditional philanthropic paradigm and imagining new futures for Black communities. As we advocate for a just world, the voices of these Black women leaders continue to be a guiding light. https://lnkd.in/gTw3xvhe