Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy’s Post

💼 Fighting for Justice in the Workplace 💼 I am proud to represent four courageous Native women who have filed a lawsuit against the Na’ah Illahee Fund, a Seattle-based nonprofit, for discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination. These women, all enrolled members of federally recognized tribes, are standing up against workplace inequities, including cultural tokenization, pay disparities, and the misrepresentation of Native identity. This case highlights the importance of holding organizations accountable to the communities they claim to serve. Their bravery in coming forward shines a light on the systemic challenges Native professionals often face, even in spaces designed to empower them. 👉 Stay tuned for updates on this important case, and thank you for supporting the fight for workplace equity and cultural respect. 📲 Read more about the case here: https://lnkd.in/g9rDMuE4 #JusticeForNativeCommunities #WorkplaceEquity #CulturalRespect #AccountabilityMatters

Excellent commentary and thanks to all, who shared it. So many concise truths in this worthy read. We must all remember that changes in law and research-backed arguments do not necessarily change hearts and minds. Sustained community building and organizing are certainly still needed to prevent the continuing rollback of hard-won human and civil rights. This is especially true as billlionaire funders align to coopt democracy and restrict human rights. Unfortunately, most funders do not support community organizing and building, as they do not necessarily produce the immediate or annual outcomes valued most by many neo-liberal foundation leaders. Power building “ain’t” free. Regressive forces are attacking funding equity for a reason (e.g. The Fearless Fund Case). They know that equitable funding shifts power. Getting funding to community-based intermediaries able to substantively fund and build grassroots organizing capacity and constituencies is key. The communities and constituencies most affected worldwide need equitable funding or our field is just playing lip service to community organizing and building.

I was interviewed for a piece about JPB's democracy work. I highlight some of the civic engagement organizations we are supporting and make the case that philanthropy must support base building, power building organizations every year, not just in election years. I talk about the need to balance attending to the acute challenges facing our democracy with the chronic ones, the need for long term vision and plans oriented toward building power for people who have been denied it, and JPB’s work reimagining a multiracial democracy that works for all of us. You can find the piece here:

Feeling Motivated? Let’s Turn It into Action for Women With election season behind us, many of us are feeling the urge to make a difference, especially for women’s issues. Here are some ways to start building momentum now and over the next few years: • Stay Informed: Take some time to read up on the issues that matter most to you, from women’s health and pay equity to family rights and representation. Being informed gives us the confidence to have conversations, to know where we stand, and to inspire others. • Start Conversations: Share why these issues matter to you - real change often starts with dialogue. • Support Local Organizations: Volunteer, donate, or spread the word for groups championing women. • Engage Locally: Attend town halls or community meetings; local voices can make a real impact. • Empower Each Other: Mentor, advocate for fair pay, and uplift the women around you. Let’s use this energy to create lasting change, one step at a time. What actions will you take? #womensupportingwomen #makeadifference

Democracy thrives when every voice is heard and valued! It’s essential that all individuals, regardless of gender, have the opportunity to participate in shaping our society. The Women and Girls Foundation champions this inclusive spirit, ensuring that women, femme-aligned, and gender-expansive youth are represented and empowered in every state or federal election. As a nonpartisan organization, we focus on energizing all voters—supporting participation and advocacy without any political bias. Together, let’s break down barriers and celebrate the diversity of voices that enrich our democracy. Please like and share this post and help WGF advocate for democracy. #WGF #politicalbias #democracy #solidarity #commuintyactivism #speakup #speakout #nonprofit #futurism

Women executives: the results of the Moving the Needle election survey are in. If you want to get involved in the election, here's how to help Kamala Harris and Tim Walz win. We asked women like you what they need this election season—to lead at work, in their communities, or to get more engaged this summer and fall. You said: ▶ ▶ Curated opportunities to help get out the vote by volunteering, donating, fundraising, or organizing ▶ ▶ A place to talk with like-minded women leaders about the emotional impact of the election and feel supported ▶ ▶ Status updates on the state of the race from experts and organizers working on the ground It’s why we hosted the leaders of “Women Executives for Kamala Harris,” a grassroots group organizing now, at our most recent MTN meetup. (Ping me for the recording and/or an invite to their What's App group to get involved.) This is our moment to help direct the future of the country on issues like equality, climate, and democracy. And with it, our opportunity to elect a Black woman of South Asian descent as America’s first female president. Over the next 89 days, MTN will continue to bring together the groups, experts, and support that will help women executives plug into the election—in the most impactful ways. If you'd like to join us, we'd love to have you. The MTN sign up form is in the comments.

Powerful insights in this piece by Deepak Bhargava on building pro-democracy movements. This assertion that we must "recruit from core parts of society, even when the terrain may seem hostile” resonates deeply with my organizing over the last 15 years. It’s something SURJ’s founders and so many Black organizers throughout the last 75 years have known - that to win big, we need to build in places and with people who are not yet with us and who are susceptible to the organizing of our opposition.  I’m proud that SURJ has massively expanded our work in rural, working-class communities across the South and Appalachia. We’re going toe to toe with the Klan, knocking on the same doors they are, engaging residents around shared concerns like the high cost of rent. By building authentic connections and addressing real needs, we formed multiracial coalitions that elected progressive candidates - in places where Trump won by double digits.  Deepak emphasizes that "the best organizing recruits potential converts as well as believers." This echoes our approach of meeting people where they are, whether it's my cousin from the Rust Belt with a 3% patch, or the families in Appalachia facing down the devastation of the Fentanyl crisis, or liberal white people who may never have thought about racial justice before a few years ago. We've seen firsthand how, "authentic community connections are the most valuable currency" in an age of political cynicism. While we’re all in to win big in November, most of SURJ’s work is about creating long-term political homes where people can learn, grow, and consistently take action. As we face rising authoritarianism, let's heed Bhargava's call to expand our strategies. At SURJ, we're committed to this long-haul organizing work, building power from the ground up as part of a multi-racial movement for justice and democracy. How are you working to build authentic connections and recruit potential converts in your community? #Democracy #Organizing #SocialChange #SURJ

Dear #Philanthropy, You still have a powerful role in sustaining momentum for democracy, #equity, and #justice. Continued investment is essential to keeping community voices strong and engaged. The most effective way to do this is through trusted #intermediary organizations led by leaders and boards who look like the communities they support and with the infrastructure, relationships, and experience to mobilize resources efficiently and equitably to local communities. These intermediaries can quickly deploy funds where needed most, ensuring that grassroots #CBOs can continue their essential work advancing civic participation, protecting civil rights, and building inclusive economies. By investing in these networks and coalitions, philanthropy can make a lasting impact in the fight for a more just and equitable society.

Looking at the wide array of media analysis and discourse that has emerged out of the 2024 presidential election, it is easy to get lost in a specific popular talking point or voter trend, while simultaneously losing sight of the bigger picture. So many stories focus on why voters acted the way they did, but in these narratives, we lose some of the nuance that informs and shapes wider community discussions about policy and impact. I appreciated how this article pointed at a contradiction that arises where often marginalized people are blamed for their own marginalization. If we want to combat these myths we need to start by looking at what issues matter most to communities and organizations around them. Racial justice, economic justice, and environmental justice are deeply intertwined, and arriving at just outcomes means building movements that are broadly inclusive and mutually supportive. #Nonprofit #Justice #Culture #Community

Our Voices Have Power I'm still feeling exhilarated from the success of our 2024 Inspire Luncheon, where more than 800 community supporters came together to celebrate YWCA's mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. To date, we have raised over $1.3 million to fund YWCA's essential services for women and girls across the region. Together, we are investing in the potential of young women like Heena, who is reaching for her dreams with the support and encouragement of YWCA's Femme2STEM program. We are laying the groundwork for the next generation of trailblazing women and in doing so, strengthening our entire community. In the words of our keynote speaker, Dr. Mae Jemison, "Every child comes out inspired...the issue is whether or not we let them maintain that inspiration." This is what YWCA's work is all about - delivering the tools for women and girls to feel inspired, embrace their power, realize their potential, and become agents of change in their lives and communities. Women, particularly young women of color, are critical to driving social and policy change. Our voices have the power to shape the landscape when it comes to the issues that matter most to our lives. From housing security to paid family and medical leave, healthcare access to safety from gender-based violence, these policies form the foundations of our daily lives and express our values. Now is the time to make our voices heard! YWCA supports robust non-partisan civic engagement and we are all in to get out the vote in 2024. The stakes are high with the general election a few weeks away, with decisions that will shape the future here at home and across the country for years to come. We created a Voting Resource Center to check your voter registration, find candidates, and learn about the election. YWCA will continue promoting voter engagement and education on the policy issues at stake, working closely with staff and community partners, right up until election day. No matter the outcomes of the election, we can and we will continue to fight for justice, equity, and opportunities for all women and girls. With gratitude, Maria Chavez Wilcox, Chief Executive Officer