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This introductory session to the Foundations of Racial Equity Series will offer two modules that explore the historical, cultural, and political roots of race and racism in the U.S. Over the course of these two modules, trainers will help participants understand the origins and applications of racial hierarchies, the four interconnected levels of racism - individual, interpersonal, institutional and structural - and how to begin recognizing and addressing structural racism in the philanthropic field, using practical applications. Our trainers will also help participants explore and understand intersectionality as a form of praxis that helps us to understand and collectively address the common threads between racism and other inequalities.

Over the next 20 years in the U.S., $35–70 trillion in wealth will transfer from one generation to another in the largest generational wealth transfer in history, mostly moving within wealthy white families. The policies that make possible this protection and accumulation of wealth are situated within the legacy of land theft, genocide of Native people, enslavement of Black people, and exploitation of natural resources. This context of racial capitalism has also given rise to wealth accumulation that, in part, birthed the philanthropic sector.  Paradoxically, many of us working within philanthropy aim to contribute to changes in systems, structures, and outcomes that address the harms of interconnected systems like racial capitalism that favor some at the expense of others and the planet.  

One of the core values of a trust-based approach is to work for systemic equity, which should include a focus on racial equity. And while trust-based philanthropy and racial equity work are not identical nor interchangeable, both work hand-in-hand to advance a vision for a more just and equitable nonprofit sector. In short, a racial equity lens is needed in order to fully embody trust-based philanthropy, and trust-based philanthropy is a helpful framework to actualize racial equity within philanthropy. To learn more about the distinctions and correlations, you can review the guide on The Intersection of Trust-Based Philanthropy & Racial Equity.

Often times foundations and grantmakers can easily articulate resonant, relevant values, but just as often cannot easily identify those values within their financial due diligence practices. This session will open a conversation highlighting the choice points foundations have for building an approach to assessing a grantee’s financial sustainability that is increasingly values-aligned and can improve conversations between grantmakers and grantees and strengthen relationships