Advancing Racial Equity at a Small-Staffed PSO

Many PSOs envision philanthropy as a force for making and sustaining racial equity and justice in the future. We can also see the accelerators and inhibitors to advancing racial equity across our networks. In this session we will share how the Iowa Council of Foundations worked intentionally, over several years, to create multiple on-ramps that helped funders begin and extend their work in racial equity. These on-ramps led to a significant accomplishment: 55 leaders, representing 28 foundations (39% of the ICoF network members), engaging in a year-long racial equity cohort where they've assessed, learned and held one another accountable to act, listen and adapt.