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Last week we celebrated Black futures and explored how we achieve a multiracial democracy that centers Black people. Northern California Grantmakers (NCG) and California Black Freedom Fund (CBFF) have been scheming to bring something to philanthropy for a while. More than 200 folks joined us to have some challenging conversations about the legacy of systemic racism, how it impacts today, and how we turn the corner and build a democracy that serves us all.

Movement and nonprofit partners are our best defense against repressive policies that directly impact communities on the ground. As we depend on them to lead us in these fights, the collective resilience of the nonprofit workforce must be a sector-wide priority. The support for talent justice in the nonprofit sector is growing. Initiatives at The Walter & Elise Haas Fund, ReWork the Bay, Fund the People, and the James Irvine Foundation are investing in the long-term sustainability, agency, and belonging for nonprofit workers.

The idea of guaranteed income has a long history but its modern, progressive origins in the U.S. are rooted in the racial and gender justice movements of the 1960s. Guaranteed income (GI) is a cash payment provided on a regular basis to members of a community with no strings attached and no work requirements. 

I’ll confess – the other day it was a bit hard to get out of bed and start the day. It was the middle of the week, a pile of Zoom meetings awaited, and the covers felt especially fresh and comfy. 

Philanthropy plays a vital role in a healthy democracy when it actively supports freedom of expression, dissent, and the right to organize for change. For decades, philanthropic institutions have provided crucial resources to organizations and coalitions fighting for justice and equity. This support is essential for a thriving democracy where diverse voices can be heard and contribute to transformative change. 

We know firsthand that philanthropy can be tempted to suppress voices of protest and dissent, especially during times of crisis such as recent global events. 

Why does philanthropy change its focus and strategy so often, and on time frames that are unrealistic for minor victories let alone systemic change?

The COVID-19 vaccine will help keep communities healthy and safe and holds promise to bring an end to the pandemic that has had the most severe impacts on Black, Latinx, Indigenous, AAPI, immigrant, and low-income people. Systemic racism created the conditions that put people of color at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 and experiencing more severe health outcomes, and despite this urgency, California’s vaccination effort so far has fallen short of equity goals. We must reach and authentically engage local communities to remove barriers to access and address concerns to increase vaccine acceptance.