Weekly Reads—July 8, 2022

Enjoy PEAK’s weekly roundup of timely insights from the grantmaking community and beyond.

“Voices from across philanthropy are now picking up the language of ‘culture wars’ to describe how those same conflicts show up in our work and conversations. … Nonprofit advocacy groups on both sides, with support from individual donors and foundations, have been escalating the rhetoric and working to influence policy at all levels to align with their beliefs and values. In the U.S., three issues in particular have drawn philanthropy deeper into this polarization: racial justice, voting rights and civic engagement, and abortion rights.” [more]
Teri Behrens, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy

“[W]hile women of color are now often charged with making nonprofit organizations more equitable, they are not supported in doing so or paid adequately for this work. Further, these leaders want to explore liberatory leadership, not just institutionalize equity. [Robert Sterling Clark’s Trish] Tchume says, ‘We want the world we’re trying to create.’” [more]
Cyndi Suarez, Nonprofit Quarterly

“The demographics and organizational characteristics of those we fund matter to us because we are committed to equity and to understanding whether grantees with a certain profile are experiencing us better, worse, or differently.” [more]
Lia Parifax, Arcus Foundation, interviewed by Mena Boyadzhiev, Center for Effective Philanthropy

“The report [2019–2020 Resource Tracking Report: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Grantmaking by U.S. Foundations] finds that foundation funding for LGBTQ communities and issues has fallen since its record high in 2018, totaling $193 million in 2019 and $201 million in 2020. This is concerning, as it comes at a time when, according to Giving USA, overall foundation support has soared. For every $100 awarded by U.S. foundations in 2020, only 23 cents specifically supported LGBTQ communities and issues.” [more]
Funders for LGBTQ Issues