By contributing the proceeds from art sales, collectors and artists have elevated a model of philanthropy wherein art becomes the very means by which justice is secured. This fall, for example, Stanley Whitney donated The Freedom We Fight For to benefit Planned Parenthood of Greater New York and A4J. Abortion bans and mass incarceration are intersecting issues—rooted in racism—that especially harm Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities. These injustices reflect the nation’s history of over-policing and lack of high quality reproductive care for Black and Brown people, robbing them of freedom to make decisions about their health, families, and futures.
A4J was always intended to be a time-limited catalytic fund. Its relatively short duration helps artists, advocates and organizations to grow their work faster and more sustainably via deeper investments. Because of the urgent need to transform the criminal legal system, grantee partners found efficiencies and economies of scale to win policy and narrative changes more quickly. And with A4J’s grantmaking budget, staff were able to forge partnerships with institutional funders that leveraged additional philanthropic dollars for these efforts.
When the Fund closes in June of 2023, a mighty group of artists, advocates, and allied donors stand ready to continue the fight to end mass incarceration. But we know this work is not finished. Through March of 2023, A4J welcomes all donations. Thanks to the Ford Foundation, the Fund’s administrative costs are covered, so 100% of gifts reach grantee partners. Final grants will be made by May of 2023, while our team documents the impact of the A4J community to attract ongoing institutional, corporate, and individual support.
It has been a tremendous honor to join with you to help transform the criminal legal system and create safer and healthier communities for all of us.
With gratitude,
Agnes Gund
Founder and Board Chair, Art for Justice Fund
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