JAG released this statement in response to recent events in Baltimore. Please read and share with your colleagues and networks.

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August 22, 2014 Philanthropy Must Work Together Across Communities in Times of Crisis (download statement) The recent fatal shooting of unarmed African American teenager Michael Brown by police officers and the ongoing militarized response serves as a wake up call for all of us. Communities around the world have galvanized around this tragic moment to organize around broader issues of police brutality, transparency, and the profiling of young men of color. Unfortunately, Michael Brown’s tragic death can be added to an ever-expanding list of people who have died at the hands of law enforcement. And the ensuing civil unrest is deeply rooted in a complicated history of poverty and racial tension that is not isolated to the suburban town of Ferguson, Missouri. History has taught us that these acts are not isolated to any one community. We are all Michael Brown. From men of color to transgender and gender nonconforming individuals, too many people are targeted because they are different. The shooting death of this youth demands our collective participation. There is a need to ensure justice is served for the families and communities who have senselessly lost loved ones. At the same time we are also charged with addressing systems of inequality that cut across race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation lines. So what can philanthropy do? As many of us struggle to find justice in our broken systems or the meaning of racial justice in this 21st century nation, what is clear is that the most effective strategies […] Read more

Joint Affinity Groups Stand in Unity to Address Racism in Philanthropy (click to download) August 14, 2014- In recent months, Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington football team, established the “Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation.” Snyder has said he recognizes the tremendous inequities faced by Native American communities and has pledged to work in partnership with Native Americans to foster “genuine opportunities for tribal communities.” Unfortunately, these laudable philanthropic goals are undermined by the continued use of a racist slur in the name of the foundation and the franchise that founded it. As a coalition of philanthropic networks representing communities of color, LGBTQ communities, women, and young and emerging leaders, we believe that philanthropy can only address long-standing inequities if we work with underserved communities as respected and valued partners. Foundations rooted in tribal communities and some leading national and regional foundations have done exactly that, resulting in powerful philanthropic models for social change and partnership with Native communities. The Original Americans Foundation is treating Native communities disrespectfully, thus failing to follow these best practices from the start. Native Americans in Philanthropy, a founding partner of the Joint Affinity Groups and a leading philanthropic voice for Native Americans, has challenged the field regarding this issue and more deeply about its commitment to inclusiveness and equity. Our philanthropic community can only have a meaningful dialogue about how to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion if we listen to and lift up diverse voices. We encourage you to read and consider the statement […] Read more

This post was authored by Paul Bachleitner, Project Director of Joint Affinity Groups (JAG) and was originally published on the JAG Blog. It appears here as part of the EPIP-JAG blogging partnership, “Wit and Wisdom”. Less than three weeks ago, the not guilty verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin rocked the nation. The outrage directed at Zimmerman and stand your ground laws was merited, but it might have been better directed at the policies and structural barriers that cast men and boys of color as criminals and wary citizens in a shoot-first mentality. Read more

Kate Seely is the Director of Field Operations with EPIP. She is a leadership development enthusiast, a believer that honest communication and authentic leadership are the underlying keys to any sustainable change we endeavor to effect in this world.  As I have grown in my career over the past 10 years, I have thought a lot about what it means to make change and have learned what I feel are a few valuable lessons. The part that I’m interested in is the personal part, that part that we so often push below, which is so crucial to how we each approach this work. We come at this work with different backgrounds, identities, upbringings, beliefs, inclinations, all of which color how we approach our work and whether we feel fully invested in it. The research on generational shifts shows that work has become more personal with our generation, with individuals feeling committed to causes as opposed to a certain organization or company. EPIP has always placed value on creating a safe space for people of color to talk about identity. Moreover, we believe that we should cultivate space to authentically discuss how identity relates to an individual’s impact, both in the larger world and within our workplaces. As a white girl interested in racial dynamics, racial equity, and deeply engaged with cultures other than my “own,” I have always sidled up to the conversation, not knowing exactly how to engage in the conversations, but wanting oh so badly to do so. […] Read more

In early February 2013, five members of EPIP Boston attended the EPIP National Professional Development Fund Conference held in San Francisco, below are their reflections. Those who attended were Jessica Baylor, EPIP Boston member; Nakisha Lewis, EPIP Boston Co-chair; Hehershe Busuego, EPIP Boston Steering Committee member; Andrea Forsht, EPIP Boston Steering Committee member; and Marie-Frances Rivera, EPIP Boston member

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EPIP and JAG (the Joint Affinity Groups) are proud to announce the launch of Wit and Wisdom, a blogging collaboration. Featuring a monthly entry from individuals within our networks, it will highlight thought leadership about philanthropy, racial/social equity, and multigenerational change. Its lightening-hot interviews, essays, and case studies aim to provoke insightful discussion. The blog is jointly hosted on the EPIP and JAG websites. The writers are members of EPIP, JAG partners, and staff who are building awareness of the best ways to change the face of philanthropy. It’s a platform that gives new leaders a chance to lift up their own voices, where EPIP and JAG members have a means to explore the conversation on equity, multigenerationalism, and social change together. A successful collaboration will also engage the field and help transform philanthropy. Stay tuned for our first content piece, a reflection on EPIP’s people of color gathering, in just a few days! And find us at the EPIP conference and the Council on Foundations conference in Chicago, starting next week! Founded in 1993, JAG is a national network of six identity-based affinity groups of grantmaking professionals that pursues more equitable funding for all communities. EPIP, now 12 years old, develops extraordinary new leaders to enhance organized philanthropy and its impact on communities.   Read more

The Joint Affinity Groups (JAG) and EPIP are collaborating to host a party that sends you into the holiday season in style!

Ring in the holidays. Eat great food. Listen to great music. Meet the New York-area’s finest affinity group talent. And cheer EPIP’s new Executive Director, Rahsaan Harris, in his new position! 

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Joint Affinity Group (JAG) of Southern California is hosting its Annual Leadership Recognition and Holiday Reception, honoring new foundation trustees, CEOs, VPs and emerging leaders...

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New York Meets National JAG When: Monday, September 26 from 6-8 pm Where: Philanthropy New York, 79 Fifth Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY 225 What: An opportunity to learn about the national Joint Affinity Groups (JAG), NY-area JAG, and chances to engage in joint work. See below for more details. You’re probably familiar with the Joint Affinity Groups (JAG) through the annual holiday party that occurs in New York. But did you know there’s a national JAG? There is, and it’s been advocating for equity in philanthropy for the past 18 years. It’s led by the national leadership of the affinity groups that many of you belong to: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE) Funders for LGBTQ Issues Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP) Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) Women’s Funding Network (WFN) National JAG has engaged in plenty of work over the years, but hasn’t had the opportunity to meet with members of local JAG groups. It was operated solely by the voluntary efforts of its members until a year ago, when a grant from The California Endowment helped it to follow through on plans to strengthen the coordination and leadership of its work. Project director, Paul Bachleitner, was hired as its first-ever staff member. A top priority was to finally have the opportunity to host a conversation with local JAG groups. National JAG wants to hear from you about what’s happening on a local level in New York, learn about your interests, and establish follow-up […] Read more