Social Justice

Black Lives Matter has brought striking issues of violence, human rights and racial equity into the national spotlight. Many grantmakers recognize the role of social movements in advancing justice for marginalized people, and are making a shift from solely supporting individual nonprofits to supporting intersecting networks and movements. Some grantmakers are also making explicit commitments to address racism and inequity. But in the fast-moving age of digital media and citizen-led efforts, is traditional philanthropy — with our cumbersome applications, program siloes and lengthy approval cycles — able to keep up and be helpful? Alicia Garza, co-creator of the Black Lives Matter network, will address strategies that grantmakers are using and can use to address the issues of power and privilege that are inherent in our funding practices.