Last night I attended an event offered by The Walrus to hear folks speak for 7 minutes apiece sharing perspectives on power change in philanthropy.
Truthfully, as a post capitalist investor, I listened to see if folks would advocate or simply acknowledge structural or systems change needed in funding given the grave globally intertwining conditions we’ve been accumulating.
I hadn’t EVER heard these perspectives presented collectively to a mainstream audience before last night, so I thought I’d tell you about it.
It was the kind of talk heard at a Bioneers or Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley conference. Perspectives espoused by folks with whom I participate—who know just what inclusivity does for our planet.
Instead, it was delivered to a room of politically diverse citizens listening together, (after all two of the sponsors were Canadian banks!)
Below is what I received from folks doing the day in, day out work without headlines, calling us in, on a day I desperately needed a reminder of human capacity & maybe even a little redemption. May it serve:
Mitzie Hunter of The Canadian Women's Foundation Invited us to let sink in that Canadian women will control $4 trillion in assets by 2028.
(American women $30 trillion.)
Then presented a vision of a gender inclusive world. A world prioritizing the needs of underserved genders especially in marginalized communities. Perhaps showing us where to put it?
Nicole McVan of United Way Greater Toronto explained that philanthropy in its purist sense is about abundance, long held relationships, and community rather than the transactional tax break it currently represents.
Liban Abokor of Reimagine Labs highlighted an unseen fact: underserved communities, especially black communities despite not receiving an equitable portion of largesse—were paying for charitable donations through tax receipts and other financial incentives.
“For every $100 donated to Canadian charities, only about seven cents go to Black charities.”
Joanna Kerr of MakeWay made plain the dynamic of Western philanthropy and its failure using just 2 props: a crown, symbolizing our inherited colonial socio economic dominance and a bottle of walnuts, symbolizing our conditioned mindset. Then contrasted it with the way MakeWay furthers Indigenous values through its 5 principles of participatory and community led funding.
Jo-Anne Ryan, FEA, MFA-P of TD gave us a primer on Donor Advised Funds/DAFS. What they are. Who uses them. Why they’re used & who accesses them. Crucial in funding the next economy.
Jess Tomlin at Equality Fund highlighted the fund itself as the first ever human rights fund in the history of the world from any country created through a gift from the so called Canadian government 4 years ago. She showed us movement is being funded and who receives participatory funding globally.
LIFT Economy Beena Tharakan Vidya Nair Nairuti Shastry Alex W. Heather Rose KAY VALLEY Jasmine Rashid Erin Axelrod
Today at 7 p.m.! TD and MakeWay present The Walrus Talks Shifting Power in Philanthropy. Buy tickets to attend at Toronto’s Isabel Bader Theatre, or watch online for free. Join us:
![The Walrus Talks Shifting Power in Philanthropy]()
The Walrus Talks Shifting Power in Philanthropy
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Former broadcast journo specialising in crisis comms,message mastery, media training,storytelling & public speaking.An emcee & keynote speaker,Ambassador ActForKids & DanielMorcombeFoundation and LiteHaus Board member.
1moAn amazing campaign with such inspiring, kind people.. 🙏🏻👏🏻👏🏻