Weekly Reads – August 14, 2020

A roundup of timely insight from the grantmaking community and beyond.

“It is egregious that it has taken the tragic murders of several Black people for a groundswell of people and organizations across the country to call for justice and for institutions like ours to act boldly. But we are here now, eager to learn and improve, ready to act, and prepared to answer this call for change.” [more]
— David Orr, Packard Foundation

“What does this moment demand of us? Grounded in Barr’s mission, core values, and current programs, our trustees agreed to three principles that will guide our efforts around racial equity: We must be unequivocal about Barr’s commitment to racial equity. We must view this as a long-term commitment. We must expand our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion with a focus on anti-racism.” [more]
— Jim Canales, Barr Foundation

“The COVID-19 crisis has created a moment of hyper-uncertainty for social sector organizations. No one knows how the future will unfold, but the tools of scenario planning can help social sector leaders better prepare their organizations for the different, possible futures that may unfold.” [more]
– Deloitte’s COVID-19 scenario planning for nonprofit and philanthropic organizations

Healing Work: An Action Guide to Equitable Grantmaking Supporting Youth of Color outlines an intentional equity approach that helps philanthropies to interrogate their funding practices to ensure alignment with their goals. [more]
— Rhonda Tsoi-A-Fatt Bryant and Dwayne Proctor, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation