SOCIAL JUSTICE PHILANTHROPY
Defining the Term
When we use the term 'social justice philanthropy' in our work, EPIP means the following specifically: The activity of
giving, providing grants, and leveraging resources through ethical, efficient, creative and inclusive methods, in order
to help people, organizations and movements that are working to build a just society.
Social justice philanthropy has a rich but largely invisible and unwritten history in the United States. Yet the phrase
itself is relatively new and remains largely contested or "under-defined." There are clearly a variety of legitimate ways
to think about and practice social justice philanthropy. Some are clearly in the "mainstream"; some are more liberal; still
others invoke more radical methods and ideas.
Social Justice Philanthropy is a phrase that has gained popularity and increased usage in the early 2000s. It is an
attempt to answer the "so what" and "for what" questions of philanthropy. Now that the concept has come into vogue,
some amount of energy has been put into defining the term and exploring its parameters through theoretical and applied
research and writing. For our part, EPIP is less interested in the academic pursuit, and more in helping grantmaking
practitioners to gain exposure to real life examples and tools that they can use in their own work.
At its June 2004 retreat, the EPIP Board of Advisors agreed that the following are essential elements of social justice
philanthropy:
§ Understanding the histories of social inequity, foundations, philanthropy, and social justice philanthropy.
§ Commitment to addressing change, and developing funding programs that are directed at underlying systems, longterm
solutions and the root causes of inequity.
§ Addressing the power dynamics inherent to philanthropy, rather than trying to ignore them. Taking into account issues
of race, class, and gender in our work.
§ Developing giving processes and practices that, to the extent they can be, are open, responsive, and inclusive.
A note on defining philanthropy: the term philanthropy itself has many meanings.
Robert L. Payton, professor emeritus in philanthropic studies at
Indiana University, defines philanthropy broadly as
voluntary action for the public good, including voluntary association, voluntary service, and voluntary giving. Others use
the catchy phrase "time, talent and treasure" to encapsulate the meaning. Either way, philanthropy in its financial form
clearly involves the reciprocal cycle of giving and fundraising. No gifts or grants would be made without those who raise
funds and do the work that calls for the funding. And most charitable giving in the U.S. comes from individuals, not
institutions such as foundations. Therefore, we acknowledge that foundations do not equal philanthropy. However, in the
context of our work with foundation professionals, we often refer to the community of foundations and donors as philanthropy,
or organized philanthropy. It is in this way that we invoke the term in name, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy, and in
our definition of social justice philanthropy.
Writing and Research
Promising Practices
in Revenue Generation for Community Organizing:
An Exploration of Current and Emerging Fundraising and Grantmaking Practices in Community Organizing
by Sandy O'Donnell, PhD, Jane Beckett, and Jean Rudd
A research project by the Center for Community Change
Short Changed: Foundation Giving and Communities of Color
By Will Pittz and Rinku Sen, Applied Research Center
Social Justice Funding Networks Database
Compiled by National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
Working for Social
Justice
By Simone P. Joyaux, ACFRE
Reports, Articles and Perspectives on
Social Justice Philanthropy
From the Synergos Institute
Social Justice Philanthropy
Featured article from Alliance Magazine
Social Change Philanthropy and How It's
Done
By Alison Goldberg, Foundation News and Commentary. May/June 2003
Grantmaking Power to the People
By Miriam Axel-Lute, Shelterforce Online, Issue #106, July/August 1999. Published by National Housing Institute
Social Justice Philanthropy Organizations
National Network of Grantmakers
The broadest membership associations of funders interested in supporting community organizing and other forms of social
justice work
National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
A progressive watchdog and advocacy organization that tracks nonprofit and foundation trends through indepth research
reports
Funding Exchange
A network of local social justice foundations throughout the United States with a national office in New York City,
committed to Change, not Charity
Changemakers
A national public foundation with advocacy and outreach programs that expand community-based, social change oriented
giving
Grantmakers Without Borders
A funders network promoting global social change philanthropy
Strategic Network for Community Philanthropy
A website designed to help philanthropies, individual donors, and nonprofit organizations organize and learn about
public and private resources for creating equitable communities that work well for everyone. Visitors
can find organizations and resources that work toward building racial, economic and social equity through the power of
focused and collaborative community giving. EPIP is part of the network of Ford Foundation grantees that are connected
to this site.
Conservative Philanthropy
Philanthropy Roundtable
A national association founded on the principle that voluntary private action offers the best means of addressing
many of society’s needs, and that a vibrant private sector is critical to generating the wealth that makes philanthropy
possible.
Capital Research Center
A conservative watch dog organization that tracks nonprofit, foundation and union trends through a variety of newsletters
and reports
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