Alessandro Machi’s Post

By any other charitable prevention means. Compare that to "Nonprofits Serving and Led by People of Color Showed Pandemic Resiliency" The St Louis Fed wrote "Nonprofits serving people of color and nonprofits led by people of color were less likely to see increases in government funds relative to what their counterparts received. In addition, nonprofits led by people of color were disadvantaged compared with nonprofits not led by people of color in obtaining funds from foundations. Racial disparities in philanthropy are not new. Organizations led by people of color might face greater challenges because of a lack of interpersonal relationships with executives in philanthropic organizations and a general lack of trust for having the capacity to implement programs. A 2017 Race to Lead report found that organizations led by people of color faced additional challenges in securing funding (PDF) compared with other organizations."

Bookings are now open for “Lucky Girls – just how far does a positive mindset get women in the law?”, to be held on Tuesday 21 May 2024 (from 4 to 6 pm) at the offices of Slaughter and May.   If you are a member of the Company, or a lawyer working at a CLLS member firm, you can reserve your place by contacting our Clerk, clerk@citysolicitors.org.uk. Please note that places are limited and you must register by close of business on Tuesday 7 May 2024 at the latest if you’d like to attend.   On the day itself, we’re excited to report that we’ll be hearing from three fabulous women solicitors (Alexandra Marks CBE, Clare Murray, Sophia Bell, each members of the Company at different stages of their legal career) about what they did to succeed and what they feel is needed now to succeed in City law firms. Their conversation (led by Slaughter and May Partner Jane Edwarde) will be followed by “table work” (which is where the views and experiences of attendees comes in) to be supported by rapporteurs who will each report (under the Chatham House rule) on what they have heard and the themes which have emerged.    In case you are wondering who/what “Lucky Girls” are, the title of this very inter-active session alludes to the Tik-Tok sensation of the same name – which is based on the premise that it’s possible to “manifest”, among other things, a promotion. We’ll be unpicking that of course. Can focusing on positive goals alone help a woman to advance, or is more required? If so, what should work, what actually works, and what more might the Company do to support this?    There is no charge for attending the event, but we are inviting attendees to donate £20 pp to the Company’s Charitable Fund. You can do this in advance by contacting our Clerk for the relevant bank details, or at the event by using the QR code which will be available. We hope you agree that this is a great way to support a range of smaller charities, many of which have a link to our justice system, or to learning, social mobility and widening access to the profession. 

As DEI policies come under legal attack, philanthropic donors consider how to adapt Foundations and major donors aren’t just watching court cases like the Supreme Court’s June decision ending affirmative action at universities, the ongoing lawsuit against a grant program aimed at supporting Black women entrepreneurs, and other legal challenges targeting corporate diversity programs. They are mobilizing to respond. Some nonprofits are financially supporting the lawsuits driving these cases. Others are calling for larger foundations to help grantees if they are sued or are offering legal assistance themselves. Leaders of nonprofits on both sides of the issue say that will intensify this year, even as some groups change the way they describe their work to try to sidestep the controversy.

In a society grappling with the remnants of systemic #racism, the Fearless Fund’s mission to support Black female entrepreneurs is not just a contest but a crucial step towards leveling the playing field. As this case unfolds, the broader philanthropic community must stand united in asserting their right to direct their resources where they see the most need and potential for transformative change. The fight for #racialequity in #philanthropy is far from over, and the outcome of this case will have lasting implications for the future of charitable giving in America. #charitablegiving #unitedstates #civilrights #racialjustice #diversityequityinclusion

A great discussion in this article from the The Chronicle of Philanthropy about the impact of these court cases on race based grant-making. The thing that I like about this article most, is a topic that Carmen James Randolph had lawyers discuss with some of the Women Foundation of the South grantees on how nonprofits whether with paid or pro-bono legal counsel need to do an assessment of their legal risks as an organization. However, what I see that is missing from these conversations is what the philanthropic sector (funders/grant-makers) will do to change inequities in funding practices &/or that exist in our society. Will they continue the work that some in the philanthropic sector have started in most recent years? Are they okay with the status quo or moving backwards? The goal of philanthropy should be to make life better for other people; so the sector is missing the mark if it continues to let inequities exist

In a significant move for judicial reform, a low-profile donor has contributed $30 million towards SCOTUS reform. Our latest article on Inside Philanthropy delves into the motivations behind this donation and examines whether this act will inspire other donors to join the cause. Dawn Wolfe reports: Background and motivations of the donor Potential impact of the $30 million donation The future of SCOTUS reform and potential for additional support Join the conversation on the role of philanthropy in judicial reform. Tagging ecoAmerica Kohlberg & Company Kohlberg Ventures Brennan Center for Justice Michael Waldman The Federalist Society Heritage Foundation #JudicialReform #SCOTUS #SocialImpact #SCOTUSReform #JudicialAccountability #SystemicChange #SupremeCourt #Transparency #PhilanthropicSupport #LegalReform #ImpactfulGiving #InsidePhilanthropy #Philanthropy

Good Morning! ☀️ This is a good read and just an FYI: August is National Black Philanthropy Month so consider how you can better support Black Nonprofits ☺️ "We must make room for thinking about what assets, beyond money, foundations can bring to bear on behalf of racial-justice nonprofits in this moment." #EquityInNonprofits #SupportBlackNonprofits #BreakingBarriers #SupportInAction #BlacksInNonprofits

Black women specifically, receive a disproportionately small amount of venture capital (VC) funding compared to white male founders, despite being the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the US. In 2021, Black women-led companies received only 0.34% of all VC funding in the US, and in 2022, companies led by Black women received less than 1% of all VC dollars. This is despite the fact that Black women are starting businesses at a faster rate than any other demographic, with the number of companies owned by Black women increasing by 164% since 2007. "America is supposed to be a nation where one has the freedom to achieve, the freedom to earn, and the freedom to prosper. Yet, when we have attempted to level the playing field for underrepresented groups, our freedoms were stifled.” - Arian Simone Co-Founder/CEO, Fearless Fund Disappointed in the 11th Circuit Court's decision is an understatement. Companies and organizations shouldn't turn their back on DEI efforts just because it isn't trending anymore.

#WednesdayGiveBackTrack Wondering why the Fearless Fund case is making so much noise? Because it’s more than just a legal battle—it’s a showdown over the future of philanthropic freedom 🔥💥📢. Check out his latest article from the Chronicle of Philanthropy: What the Fearless Fund Settlement Means for Philanthropic Freedom.//https://lnkd.in/gqF7SjCT 🚨Here’s what really stood out to me from this article🔎: 💥 This isn’t just about one case or one organization—it’s about whether philanthropic freedom will be handcuffed by outdated and unfair interpretations of civil rights laws. 🛑 The legal attack against the Fearless Fund is unprecedented because it tries to treat charitable giving the same as employment or higher education when it comes to “affirmative action”—which makes zero sense. 🤨⚖️ The Supreme Court has never ruled that private charitable efforts to address inequality are illegal. This is new territory that threatens decades of legal precedent supporting the right of charities to address inequity through targeted giving. 🚨 The stakes are high: Federal and state courts, along with legislatures, are stepping into the business of telling charities who they can and cannot fund. Using antidiscrimination language to compare efforts to fix inequality with actual harmful discrimination is misleading and dangerous. #BlackBridgePhilanthropic #GroundedGiving #CommunityImpact #FearlessFund #DEI #Philanthropy #SocialJustice #EquitableGiving #BoldPhilanthropy #PhilanthropicFreedomhttps: (Thanks, Phīla Engaged Giving for referencing this article in your October newsletter).

Day 3 of posting about philanthropy and race for #BlackHistoryMonth 🌐 Legal Battle Over DEI Grants: A federal appeals court recently ordered a temporary halt to the Fearless Fund's grant program, igniting a debate on alleged discrimination. Edward Blum, challenging the fund, argues against affirmative action too. The Council on Foundations and Independent Sector support the Fearless Fund's First Amendment stance. 🔗 The wider impact: DEI efforts face a backlash, prompting some funders to alter language and priorities. Mae Hong of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors notes a chilling effect. Despite challenges, foundations like Marguerite Casey Foundation stand resilient, viewing themselves as crucial in advancing justice and equity. 💬 Values Alignment: Amid polarized forces, John Palfrey of the MacArthur Foundation emphasizes maintaining support for diverse and equitable societies. Carmen Rojas suggests foundations can weather legal exposure, unlike some grant recipients. The Black Freedom Fund takes a proactive approach, creating a legal defense fund for grantees. 📣 The Ask: Mae Hong urges foundations to see philanthropy as an expression of values and advocates standing firm, as they remain independent actors in society. In the face of attacks on DEI, the question arises: If not foundations, then who? #DEI #Philanthropy #SocialJustice #Equality 🤝✊