WFN Above the Fold

Community News: Highlighting Our Members

August 28, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

Our nation is being called to accountability for systemic racism. While the process of acknowledging, reckoning and dismantling systemic racism is difficult, we are now on the precipice of, perhaps, the most critical moment for philanthropy to seize the opportunity for impact and sustainable structural change. We know that to do so requires an approach that considers the complexity of our lives and the power of our intersecting identities.

Black women play a unique role in philanthropy, both as individuals and as organization and foundation leaders. Women of color, and Black women in particular, have a history of generous giving that has fueled movements. Suffrage, civil rights, #meToo, Black Lives Matter — in all of these movements, Black women have been on the forefront of democratizing philanthropy for social, economic and political justice. The facts speak for themselves:

Black households give 25% more of their income annually than white households.
Nearly two-thirds of Black households donate to organizations and causes.
Black households donate $11 billion each year.

According to the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, Black women are redefining what it means to be philanthropists. In their “Women Give 2019” report, they found that whether through crowdfunding, mobile apps, or creating new initiatives to directly impact their communities, Black women are successfully navigating traditional and nontraditional philanthropic efforts to create change.

In observance of Black Philanthropy Month, the Women’s Funding Network hosted the “Black Women Leading Change in Philanthropy” webinar, yesterday. With hundreds in attendance, a panel of gifted Black women leaders — including Michelle J. Depass, LaTanya Mapp Frett, Monique W. Morris, Ed. D. and Alandra L. Washington — shared their insights and strategies while challenging us to amplify and center Black women’s leadership in our own organizations and institutions. The Women’s Funding Network will share our learning from this dynamic session and draft a statement of commitments, values and practices that our members can sign-on to and leverage locally and within your regions.

Intersectional philanthropy, including our network of gender and racial equity funders, must take the lead in dismantling racism and sexism. In this critical moment, we must shift the oppressive power dynamics that keep harmful systems in place — including within philanthropy. Yesterday’s session was another important step in doing the hard work ahead.

Yours for equity and justice,

Elizabeth Barajas-Román
Women’s Funding Network
President & CEO

WFN MEMBER INITIATIVES

Texas Women's Foundation released their newest research piece, Economic Issues for Women in Texas 2020, which includes a written brief and a website with statements from 13 Texas women talking about how they have dealt with the building blocks. To view the report, click here.

WFN Member Rise Up are featured in a new report by the United Nations, When Children Take The Lead: 10 Child Participation Approaches To Tackle Violence. The report analyzes how civil society organizations and governments can successfully engage children in advocating for their rights. Rise Up’s work to support girls in Malawi and Guatemala to prevent child marriage and sexual violence are included as examples of successful child-led advocacy.

Philanthropy is the LOVE of humankind - join The Women’s Foundation of Colorado (WFCO) for their 2020 Virtual Annual Luncheon! Nearly 3,000 community members will come together for this renowned community-building event to be informed, inspired, and a part of their impact.

Thursday, August 27 – Sunday, August 30
For more information, click here!

OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES

Women Moving Millions will be hosting their Annual Summit this year virtually. The summit will convene today’s most prominent leaders and activists from all over the world for an engaging and thought-provoking program that will challenge and inspire.

September 11, 2020
12pm to 4pm ET

Sign up to attend!

WFN Partner National Committee For Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) released a new report, Black Funding Denied: Community Foundation Support for Black Communities, which finds that only 1% of grantmaking by some of the largest local community foundations goes to Black communities, even though they represent a combined 15% of the population in areas served by those institutions.

WEEKLY READ

Swanee Hunt and A'shanti Gholar on women and power. "In the next 100 years, women may dominate US politics."

In Latin America, there is a pandemic within a pandemic. Since COVID-19 broke out, gender-based violence has spiked. - U.S. News

During the DC FanDome virtual event, women of color in the DC universe discussed their experiences in their roles, specifically casting backlash and the importance of representation. - NBC News

Listen: NPR speaks with historian Anthea Butler and Maryland politician Jolene Ivey about the experiences of women of color in electoral politics.

The number of people undernourished or chronically hungry worldwide could rise from 690 million to 820 million because of the COVID-19 pandemic. And the burden of hunger falls disproportionately on girls and women. - WBUR

At a prestigious school in Paris this year, an admissions exam was based entirely on a blind, written test that didn't reveal the candidates' identities. The result? More women were admitted. - Fortune

Kimberly Jones, People Experience and Markets Leader at PWC, discusses the social and economic inequalities working mothers face in the midst of the pandemic, challenges compounded for women of color. Read more here.

WATCH: Wednesday was Women's Equality Day, the anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment. Although it was a major victory for the women's suffrage movement, the 19th Amendment didn't treat all women equally: it excluded Native American, Asian American, and black women.

If you have a story to share, please email Megan at [email protected]

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