A Statement on Family Separations
As Philanthropy California, we join our partners in philanthropy, along with advocates and immigrant communities, in calling for an end to the practice of separating children from their parents as part of the Administration’s “zero tolerance” policy on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Our nation has long been a place of promise of safety and respite from harm. Today, for thousands of children and their families, that promise has been replaced with peril. Separating children from their parents inflicts unnecessary trauma on children that can cause lasting harm. (See the American Academy of Pediatrics’ 2017 policy statement regarding child health impact of separation). The current practices at the border are an affront to the shared values of decency, humanity, and compassion that underpin our work in philanthropy, and that we believe to be fundamental to a civil society.
This is one of those pivotal moments in history when it is important for all of us to speak up for what is right – to demand that all children and families, regardless of their immigration status, be treated with compassion, humanity, and respect.
To learn more about the current situation and how you can respond, join us and Grantmakers Concerned for Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) for a webinar on Wednesday, June 27 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM PST. You can register for the webinar here.
Sincerely,
| Christine Essel President & CEO Southern California Grantmakers |
Nancy Jamison President & CEO San Diego Grantmakers |
Ellen LaPointe President & CEO Northern California Grantmakers |
Philanthropy CA Statement on the Los Angeles Times and San Diego Union Tribune Ad
The following is a statement by Philanthropy California regarding an ad placed by Philanthropy CA (below) and other philanthropic organizations in the Los Angeles Times and San Diego Union Tribune on June 24, 2018:
The picture of a crying child that we and others have featured over the past week depicts the trauma and human rights violations facing immigrant and refugee families at the U.S. border due to current policies. While this child was fortunately not separated from her parents as thousands of others have been and still are, we stand by our shared commitment to protecting families and protecting human rights.
Mission
Philanthropy California (Philanthropy CA) brings together the NCG, SCG, and SDG philanthropic networks as a powerful force for change on the issues that affect us all.
Who
Philanthropy CA is an alliance of Northern California Grantmakers (NCG), San Diego Grantmakers (SDG), and Southern California Grantmakers (SCG). Our combined membership represents more than 500 foundations, corporate funders, philanthropic individuals and families, giving circles, and government agencies who invest billions every year to support communities across the state, the country, and worldwide.
What
We collaborate more closely in Philanthropy CA for:
- A stronger statewide philanthropic presence that bridges geographic and organizational boundaries and diverse interests among funders
- A united voice for public policy issues affecting philanthropy
- Improved opportunities for learning and collaboration
- The ability to engage a broader range of stakeholders
- Streamlined support for nonprofits and philanthropy
Why
Philanthropy CA taps into the deep regional expertise and connections of funders to increase philanthropy’s impact in building and sustaining thriving, equitable communities. Together, we can impact our members, the nonprofits they support and the communities they serve.
We welcome feedback to any of us individually or to the group through Philanthropy CA's Chief Administrative Officer, Karen Freeman.
