Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s Post

It is HUGELY appreciated and important when major foundations & institutions openly share their own organizational journey & evolving strategies for advancing racial justice. Gives other orgs something to reference & lean into. Props to William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, The James Irvine Foundation, & the guides through the process, ProInspire (https://www.proinspire.org).

"Among the many nonprofit advocacy groups involved in this innovation sector are Education Evolving, the Center for School Change, Think Small, the Bush Foundation and the Ciresi Walburn Foundation. Among the more promising solutions proposed by one or more of these groups: full funding of needs-based scholarship programs for high-quality early childhood education; training and hiring more teachers of color; investing more in faster career pathway programs and post-secondary career credentials; much more tutoring, mentoring and individualized help for at-risk students; and continued development of new models for schools and education systems." https://lnkd.in/d5F4Mmw9

Foundations have a critical role to play in fighting inequity, systemic racism and oppression. To play that role effectively, we must support organizations on the ground and speak boldly about the root causes of inequity. In the latest @SSIReview article, Jennifer Ito and Ashley K. Thomas of USC Equity Research Institute outline guiding principles for foundations to support power building. https://lnkd.in/gQeKaSUR

Front page of the The Washington Post this morning: "Any organization that provides a palpable benefit to a person based on race, national origin or sex now runs a potential legal risk" - Kenji Yoshino This comes as no surprise as it follows the very recent news of the blocking of grants from the Fearless Fund. Though lawsuits to dismantle DEI initiatives have been ongoing since 2021, the Supreme Court ruling from last year has put things into high gear. I wonder if President Biden will mention anything tonite in the debate related to the #AmericanRescuePlanAct. Takeaway: Conservative groups are great at funding nonprofits that then, in turn, are providing funding for these cases; #DAFs are implicated here as well. We've got to become more strategic in our funding to counter these lawsuits and the way we deploy our philanthropic capital is of primary importance. Every stakeholder can play an important role; individual donors, c3s, c4s, and corporations that have relationships (and leverage) with municipal and political contacts in high places. Backing away from #DEI objectives because of fear of litigation is protectionist, not courageous. Organizations reveal their commitment by the stance they're taking. https://lnkd.in/eFgwEGdT #philanthropy #csr #socialimpact

What does an ideal community partner bring to the table? It is easy to focus on the programming and funding aspects, but more importantly, ideal partners bring perspective, expertise, experience and alignment. They bring a unique worldview that may challenge entrenched beliefs and paradigms. They are not afraid to dissent. Dissent is a sign of mutual respect when done properly between partners. It tells the other that their opinion is valued and should be heard and considered, especially when partner opinions or methods differ. Healthy dissent is informed, uncovering blind spots and providing protection before a storm has a chance to overtake. A partner who does not have the latitude and respect to dissent is actually no partner at all. The ideal community partners can be hard to come by, but they do exist. To find them requires patience and discernment. Their reputations should precede them. The fruits of their labor should be observable. Their work should reflect their obligation to the community through sustained commitment. But remember, their commitment should align with the organization’s mission to truly make a productive, positive impact. Read more from Accordant's Javin Peterson in part two of his series on how to identify and build exceptional community partnerships: https://ow.ly/QBik50PwsFc If you missed part one of Javin's series, read it here: https://ow.ly/88TI50PwsFa #healthcare #philanthropy #communitypartnerships

"How, in this moment, can there be racial-justice funders who do not adhere to trust-based principles? How are we still witnessing funders who voice their commitment to social justice while missing the chance to truly serve their partners?" - Nat Chioke Williams & Liz Bonner | HILL-SNOWDON FOUNDATION. In this article, the Hill-Snowdon Foundation reflects on four critical lessons they learned while reorienting to trust and strengthening their racial justice approaches: 💡 Consider the changes your board needs. 💡 Deepen internal racial justice work. 💡 Invest in building trust internally. 💡 Redistribute power. Continue reading the article via the Stanford Social Innovation Review below!

#ListeningSession 3 - GCF leaders Matthew Randazzo and Rasheda Malcolm-Cromwell met with a group of Black-led and Black-serving nonprofit leaders at the Hollomann Center for Social Justice at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio to discuss the challenges and innovative ways of doing racial equity work in today's environment. Some of the common challenges our partners are experiencing include the balance between trust-based philanthropy and data-driven reporting that defines community impact; the depth and breadth of inequity and the lack of quick solutions that address root causes; the need for more human stories that speak to the impact of this work and a narrative shift that can bring more people to the table. These leaders also see the need for greater collaboration among key stakeholders across sectors and exploration of successful nationwide solutions. What are your thoughts on how our region can become a more vibrant and equitable place for all? How do we maintain momentum and sustainability for racial equity work? What ideas do you have to address the root causes of inequity?

🗓️ Get ready to mark your calendars! 🌟 Join us on Monday, April 29th, at 1pm EST for an electrifying twist on our Speaker's Series—it's a group discussion like never before! 🎙️ This month, we're thrilled to unveil The Education Trust's Justice Fellows. Throughout this yearlong fellowship, these incredible individuals utilize their own lived experiences to shape, review, and amplify EdTrust’s policy recommendations for justice-impacted students. We believe their voices hold immense power to create meaningful change for those seeking education opportunities. But wait, there's more! Dive into the extraordinary strides our committees have taken this month. You won't want to miss out on these exciting updates! Ready to roll up your sleeves and make a difference? 🤝 Secure your spot now: https://conta.cc/3DT9giN Passionate about driving change? Consider joining one of our dynamic committees in Membership, Fundraising, Advocacy, Events, or Media. 🚀 Fill out the interest form: https://conta.cc/3mXx6VJ. #EducationForAll #MakeADifference #unlockhighereducation #EducationEquity #CollegeInPrison #PellGrants #EducationIsTheKey #SecondChance #JusticeImpacted #UnlockHigherEducation #UnlockHigherEd #EducationIsTheKey #SecondChance #JusticeImpacted #CriminalJusticeReform #BanTheBox #Pell

New Profit is thrilled to announce investments in 4 nonprofit organizations driving transformational change in democracy, economic mobility, and education in America: Center for Black Educator Development, Generation Citizen, OneGoal, and Surge Institute. Click to learn more about these leaders and their powerful organizations! #transformingeducation #civicengagement #educationalequity #opportunityforall #studentsuccess #systemicchange #investinginchange #empoweringcommunities