At the Human Rights Funders Network conference, Mandy Van Deven will moderate a session to share insights about the philanthropic practices that enable movement leaders to build narrative power — and extend an invitation to join an emerging community of practice for narrative funders. Reach out to Mandy to (re)connect there.
Narratives shape every part of our lives, yet there is little to no dedicated funding for justice-focused narrative and cultural strategy grown from impacted communities. As funders begin to come together to discuss how they can invest in narrative ecosystems that play an integral role in building our new world, robust articles like this one by Mandy Van Deven and Jody Myrum, provide incredible insights. Erin Lynn Williams, Constellations Lead, was at the Confluence convening hosted by IRIS (International Resource for Impact and Storytelling), PUENTES, and the Global Narrative Hive. She found the space inspiring and invigorating and learned more about how practitioners and activists are navigating harmful narratives and working to change deeply held beliefs. Many speakers resonated that flexible resources and spaces for connection are essential, and as the article highlights, “We have an imperative to redesign the current practices of philanthropy that are too rigid and short-sighted for what our movements need and to ensure that the right quality of resources will flow without interruption for decades.” Erin reminds funders that we must think purposefully about the models we create for resource redistribution. She shares, “Participatory funding models at the individual and institutional level that follow community guidance are imperative. In addition, ample resources for relationship-building, peer-to-peer skill shares, and rest, such as kinship calls, convenings, and sabbaticals need to be interwoven into our efforts to strengthen our connective tissue and to address the stressors associated with narrative work happening on the frontlines.” We hope to keep these crucial conversations going in Georgia this April at the Human Rights Funders Network (HRFN) Funding Futures Festival 2024 where we’ll be hosting our own interactive and reflective conversation in partnership with Both/And Solutions, Nebula Fund, Our Collective Practice, and Funders Initiative for Civil Society. There, we are honored to present, "Kaleidoscopic Viewpoints: Resourcing Revolutionary Narrative and Cultural Power Building that Propel our Collective Liberation Forward." In this session, we will explore emerging models to radically resource diverse narrative and cultural strategists that are embedded in communities and movements. If you plan to attend, please let us know in the comments, and know we welcome the opportunity to learn alongside you! ⭐ First quote featured from the article by Nishant Shah ⭐ Second quote featured by Constellations Lead, Erin Lynn Williams Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gR9kmnHA #ConstellationsFund #StoriesToChangeTheWorld #BIPOCNarrativePower