Making It a Movement, Not a Moment

By André Solomon

Why Change?, a podcast by Creative Generation, invites listeners around the globe to learn how artists, educators, and cultural practitioners can change the world, one community at a time, while envisioning new, creative futures through the question, “why change?”

As Creative Generation embarks on its third season, it is worth uncovering the nuggets that transpired within season two. Here, we investigated how funders and funder-adjacent individuals (i.e. consultants) are approaching changes to the philanthropic sector in the United States. 

The analysis consisted of the following four episodes with podcast hosts Karla Estela Rivera, Ashraf Hasham, and co-host Jeff M. Poulin. 

These episodes provided insight, generating commonalities and unique perspectives, and are broken down into the following categories: 

  • Upholding the Past

  • Colorful Leadership

  • Reimagining Philanthropy

As we dive deeper into the specifics, we must remember that dominant narratives about how philanthropy occurs and the strategies of how we actually do philanthropy are not up to date with the practices that have been shared with us from Lizette, Darren, Celeste, Jonathan, and Angelique. Unfortunately, as Jeff M. Poulin mentions, there is much more work to do. However, it can be viewed as a challenge to think about what we do next, in order to end the perpetuating problems that continue to take hold within our philanthropic sector.

Upholding the Past

“We cannot rely on a system that is not designed for us all.” - Lizette Garza

Philanthropy derives from White Supremacy as capitalism, colonialism, paternalism, and saviorship are main ingredients. The inequity is real, especially in regard to BIPOC grantees who still recieve less dollars than their white counterparts. 

Unfortunately, organizations have become dependent on the system as it is necessary to be able to access foundation dollars. Karla Estela Rivera reminds us that it becomes particularly challenging for BIPOC led organizations because it requires a certain level of compliance, and if you are not in tune with or trained upon the culture, there are very few options to be competitive. 

Funding social change, which many BIPOC led organizations pursue, are rarely invested in by endowments. For example, “...on average, the endowments of organizations led by people of color were nearly four times smaller than those of white-led organizations, and their average percentage of revenue was less than half,” (Foster, W., & Isom, D. 2021).

From the Stanford Social Innovation Review’s (ISSR) article, Endow Black-Led Nonprofits, it provides a sample of objecting perspectives to endowing social change, aka BIPOC-led organizations: 

  • “Most nonprofits, especially those led by people of color, lack the capacity to absorb a large gift.”

  • “I can manage the money better than a nonprofit.” 

  • “Nonprofits should work themselves out of business.” 

Sadly, funders give too little to social justice initiatives, which undermines sustainability, perpetuates the vicious cycle of power hoarding, and solidifies a dominant narrative that racism will be solved shortly. 

So, who advocates on the community’s behalf?

Colorful Leadership

What does a leader look like? You might have an idea, but consider if it is rooted in bias. 

For many leaders of color their identity and experiences are assets, and many organizations fail utilizing them. As nonprofits commit to serving their communities, “having leaders who come from the communities experiencing a particular issue [is] a path to better solutions in the social sector” as they lead with empathy and cultivate wellbeing and belonging (Harvard Business Review). 

The special component that linked our guests were their origin stories. As people of color, they did not see themselves at the table. Therefore, it spurred intentions to infiltrate and dismantle the system from within, to trigger a redistribution of wealth. They seek reimagination, which means understanding current systems and “...recognizing, valuing, and tapping into what each person brings to the table (Asset-Based Lens),” which draws lessons from nontraditional places (HBR). However, “leaders of color pay a steep price when they work in environments where people act as if race is irrelevant. And they pay a price when they shoulder the emotional labor of leading diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts with white colleagues who have only recently awakened to the depth and breadth of systemic racism in this country,” without equitable compensation (Bridgespan Group). And as Darren Isom mentions, “there is no greater marker of privilege that you can navigate the world and reach the heights from a career perspective and not be able to talk to the people. BIPOC have learned how to navigate rooms, make connections, and find throughlines with people that are different. This becomes an asset, a huge asset that's critical to the success of organizations.” 

Unfortunately, highlighted by Angelique Power, we still live in a society where individuals either think by happenstance communities are struggling or operate as gatekeepers “thinking” they understand community needs, not fully aware of how exquisite the design of racism is and their own complicity in upholding that exquisite design. 

Reimagining Philanthropy

Many things are derived from nothingness, therefore, how can the plan be modified to serve the people? One solution might be transitioning from scarcity to an abundance mindset, which evokes a sense of freedom, joy, and future. 

The narrative we have often been fed is that communities are pitted against one another for meager resources. But in fact, says Lizette Garza, foundations usually spend 3% from their endowments, suggesting there is money out there; an abundance.

What if funders supported collaboration across organizations and made it more common?

Philanthropy must lean into its generosity, trusting that their community investments will reap benefits as communities are leading their own revolutions and movements toward change. Ultimately, philanthropy is collaborative work, person to person, and requires embracing community, relationship building, and not losing sight of building a better world. 

This all cannot be done without focusing on the people most impacted, and it’s clear how many organizations just need funding. Luckily, we have funders like Celeste Smith and Jonathan Cunningham who are actively reprogramming how foundations can support relationship-building and wellness. For example, the Seattle Foundation’s reparations program: REPAIR, which embraces racially equitable philanthropy with a five year $25 million commitment to the Black community of the Greater Seattle region. Or, the Pittsburgh Foundation’s program: Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh, which recognizes cultural experiences and creative innovations have always reflected the expressions and imaginations of people from the African diaspora.

Therefore, how do we bring awareness and popularity to roles within the philanthropic space, to change the environment? Frankly, there exists a responsibility to convey to the next generation of funders that all people bring worthy skills to the table, because if they do not see the value in arts and culture now, the narrative will continue that arts careers are not professional, a sad hustle, etc.

Where Do We Go From Here?

As people imagine a world without philanthropy or philanthropy as a vehicle for reparations, both suggest philanthropic harm. We have a wealth issue not a poverty issue, so what would it look like if our reliance on foundations lessened or communities who have been historically put at disadvantage were able to thrive? The biggest gift someone can provide is an open interpretation of how money can be used.

Whether conscious or not, COVID-19 prompted organizations and individuals to reassess their relationships, especially in regards to racism, capitalism and elitism. For some, this was an opportunity for authentic conversations on racial equity and how to reinvent systems failing Black and Brown people. For example, the Skillman Foundation used data visualizations to convey the investments being made into areas, showcasing that COVID-19 actually allowed many foundations to operate differently, to remove laborious applications and restrictions, and to think with a racialized lens of where funds were going. However, three years later, how do we avoid backpedaling as things “return to normal” (a privileged stance)? 

“If our civil society is to continue to thrive, we should ensure that organizations that are working with communities of color, and in turn are led by people of color, have the financial wherewithal to endure. This challenge is especially urgent given that sweeping segments of society [that] remain underresourced, even as the country becomes increasingly diverse. A Foundation’s endowments can fuel the ongoing efforts of social change organizations as they continue to help stabilize the country’s institutions. It is time to unlock their full potential” (ISSR). 

Remember, arts, culture, and creativity come from the people.