Trust-Based Philanthropy Project’s Post

Trust me, this read is worth your time. Flag it for weekend reading, and take note of the Wisdom. In the meantime, join me, a nonprofit founder and chairman, in thanking the author for this incredibly honest piece. #equity #legacymatters #RealMenCharities #SouthSideDriveMagazine

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

The Philanthropic sector needs a shift and not just a verbal one. As a personally impacted Black mother of 3 and Executive Director of a non-profit that took on subgranting purely out of solidarity during crisis, I want to be clear: If you wanted to, you would. I met some of the most brilliant minds in the sector this week. Some of the most values aligned, powerhouses that exist in Philanthropy surely. While we navigate ongoing crisis in my state, in this country and the world itself, I feel it necessary to ground ourselves in our whys. I listened to countless Philanthropists mention who's most impacted and how they "want money to go to community." That's beautiful and how do you put that in practice. Respectfully, Philanthropy by large is NOT funding organizations that meet basic needs, that have programs that incorporate cash payments and direct services or that resource share on a community level. Y'all make these statements then return home to fund cute programming of organizations that can survive without y'all providing general operating costs. Y'all tell me that there's simply processes that I wouldn't understand. That I'm missing objectivity when I ask yall how to contend with very real white supremacist metrics in funding spaces. The thing is though, what you're really saying is that I need to leave a piece of my humanity behind. That the life experiences that ground me in my work don't have a place in Philanthropy and that's a problem. If my small organization can decide QUICKLY to resource share and move 1/6 of our money to other underfunded orgs within 1 week of them being selected, yall could too. This has to be liberation work. We all need our job security AND we are trying to get folks free. I don't want to hear why you can't make steps in that direction while you sit on 300k+ salaries. While there's trillions in endowment. What are we waiting on? The time was yesterday. Folks are dying and I'm not going to let up. I believe in us as a collective and our ability to do better. I would love to talk more about this with Philanthropists as I have my own personal learning opportunities in this work.

Read it for Johane Alexis-Phanor's insightful framing. Bookmark it for her rundown of Six Key Assets in Asset-Based #Philanthropy (and, I'd posit, asset-based #grantwriting).

Following a boost of funding during racial justice movements in 2020, there's been a notable decline in philanthropic support for nonprofits led by people of color. NFF's Aisha Benson discusses why it's more important than ever to provide sustained, long-term support. "Be a champion for change in the sector by helping clear the path for nonprofits to advance racial equity," writes Aisha. You can read the full article with a free account at: https://lnkd.in/gkUYWqS7

We loved this article! Instead of deficit-based framing in grant writing, we can highlight the awesome potential of the human spirit, existing cultural treasures, and the creativity and wisdom of the Black community. Grant writers, what are your favorite asset-based descriptors for the communities you serve?

Mike Gianoni of Blackbaud wrote an article for Giving USA a couple of weeks ago about the untapped potential of business/nonprofit partnerships. In it, he lays out the easy argument for why businesses should get involved with nonprofits: "Businesses are strengthened when civil society’s halo extends to them and their brands." Co-opting a nonprofit's message is invaluable to brand reputation and workforce engagement issues. But the specifics on WHAT business should give in return are not given sufficient consideration. And this is in no way a criticism of Mike or Blackbaud. I support his work on the Generosity Commission report and Blackbaud's platform. The point is that I never hear enough about how we can improve what we give nonprofits. The issue is that there's not enough focus on innovating in how and what we give. This is the part of corporate philanthropy that is ripe for innovation. It's time to get specific on what exactly a company should be offering a nonprofit. I'm not arguing for a Crappy Funding Practices approach to calling out businesses with lots of resources that only give volunteers and nominal donations. There's no room for shame here. But I spend a significant amount of time researching companies that are promoting their volunteering and matching only to see a correlating foundation with millions of dollars in assets or revenue north of $100 million dollars. It's similar to foundations that are only giving the required 5%. You can applaud the amount of money that goes out the door but you may be left with a big ICK when you see how much remains. Those of us in the business of social impact should not be content with the 5% payout rate of foundations or the standard 1% reinvestment back in the community. Those figures should be the floor, not the ceiling. #socialimpact #csr #corporatesocialresponsibility #charitablegiving #philanthropy #nonprofits https://lnkd.in/eRAfPrFR

Grantmakers, there’s no better time than now to ensure we provide sustained, long-term support for nonprofits led by people of color. To foster their continued impact in the sector, we must champion change by helping clear the paths for nonprofits to advance racial equity. In The Chronicle of Philanthropy, I share five ways to make this a reality: https://lnkd.in/eXmYgy6X 

I received an email sharing some eye-opening stats that highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Black-led, Black-benefitting organizations. As a Black founder of a non-profit, I understand firsthand the crucial work needed to address these disparities. In honor of Black Philanthropy Month this August, I invite you to support Freedom In Me Business Showers and our mission to empower small businesses. Every contribution, regardless of size, makes a difference. Visit www.businessshowers.org to donate today! Key stats to consider: - Only 1% of community foundation funding goes to Black-led, Black-benefitting organizations - 76% of these nonprofits operate on less than $500K annually, with a third surviving on just $30K per year - 92% of BLBB nonprofit leaders have lived experience - 43% operate without full-time paid staff - 86% face challenges accessing major funders Let's work together to bridge these gaps and create a more equitable future for all. #BlackPhilanthropyMonth #SupportSmallBusinesses #Equality #NonprofitImpact

Insights from CEP's State of Nonprofits Report: Burnout Persists in the Nonprofit Sector CEP's latest research sheds light on the ongoing challenge of burnout among nonprofit leaders, a concern shared by foundation leaders as well. As we navigate these complex times, it's crucial to prioritize the well-being of those driving social change. Read the full article for actionable insights on supporting staff resilience and fostering a healthier nonprofit ecosystem. #NonprofitLeadership #StaffWellbeing #CEPResearch Center for Effective Philanthropy