Isabelle Leighton is interim executive director of Donors of Color Network, whose mission is to build systemic racial equity to be more reflective and accountable to communities of color. Leighton has 20 years of experience growing social justice and movement-oriented organizations, including Political Research Associates, where Leighton focused on supporting communities targeted by racist and misogynist forces during the Trump administration. Prior to that, Leighton was the founding director of Equality Fund, a philanthropic advocacy project, and served as NYC co-chair of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy. Leighton currently sits on the boards of the Solidago Foundation, Open City Labs, and the Institute for Research on Male Supremacism.

PND asked Leighton about barriers to donors of color achieving equitable attention and consideration, how media and other allies can assist in better recognizing donors of color, the role that race and racism play in the problems that philanthropists are working to solve, how the philanthropic sector could be more inclusive, philanthropy’s response to climate justice, and how best to demystify and educate the sector on the issues that mean the most to donors of color.

Philanthropy News Digest: While donors of color are not “new” or “emerging,” your report, Philanthropy Always Sounds Like Someone Else: A Portrait of High Net Worth Donors of Color indicates that “philanthropy writ large does not understand who high net worth donors of color are.” What are the barriers to donors of color achieving equitable attention and consideration?

Isabelle Leighton: Philanthropy has a history of being upheld by white supremacy and centered around class, race, and gender—omitting the experiences and stories from people of color entirely from funders to grantees. This has a direct impact on who and what receives funding. Donors of color face constant, historical barriers of entry to philanthropy that often overlook their work and interests in favor of their white counterparts. Donors of Color Network (DOCN) aims to shift the center of gravity in philanthropy towards racial and economic justice to knock down the traditional entry barriers for many donors of color. In doing so, we can address our most pressing issues equitably and create a welcoming space for BIPOC donors who bring experiences and resources invaluable to solving the most pressing issues of our time.

Media coverage is another major barrier to achieving equitable attention and consideration for donors of color. The stories of donors of color have rarely, if ever, been told, and that’s one of the main reasons behind our report. Media across the board needs to make an intentional effort to cover BIPOC donors and stories to amplify their work and raise awareness of the unique causes they fund and why. Our Portrait report revealed that nearly every single interviewee personally experienced racial or ethnic bias that influenced their philanthropic giving. These lived experiences led donors to prioritize social justice, women’s and gender rights, and racial justice as leading issues they want to support. Our goal with this report is to bring more awareness about the work of DOCN and draw more members into our movement to strengthen the voice and power of a philanthropic sector that is more reflective of the vibrant diversity of today’s most innovative problem solvers.

PND: Recently, philanthropists like MacKenzie Scott have received broad recognition for awarding big gifts to HBCUs and other institutions focused on Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). Yet donors of color have donated significant funds to higher education for many years. How can media and other allies assist in better recognizing donors of color for their work?

IL: Media has a responsibility as “the fourth pillar” of democracy to include diverse voices and experiences in their storytelling. Failing to do so doesn’t tell the whole story. For instance, the AP reported that 76 percent of its full-time employees and 81 percent of news management are white. As a result, there is less visibility and interest given to BIPOC-led efforts and issues that impact communities of color specifically. MacKenzie Scott has made generous grants to many BIPOC-led organizations, DOCN among them. We commend her and her team’s leadership in uplifting and supporting BIPOC-led movements.

However, more allies must acknowledge the leadership of BIPOC donors who have funded many impactful causes—higher education, civic engagement and democracy, economic justice, and many other efforts for decades. Find those stories. Look deeper. Challenge your personal biases in telling the story of wealth and social change. The Portrait report is a resource for all invested in decolonizing and transforming philanthropy to understand better how to be more inclusive and equitable in our collective efforts. To ignore the accomplishments and power of BIPOC donors is to ignore one of the most core levers in social justice philanthropy. Media and philanthropic leaders have a responsibility to expand these stories and do better than the status quo.

PND: As your report notes, many high-net-worth donors of color were motivated by their experiences of racial or ethnic bias to seek systemic change through philanthropic or political giving. Yet, according to SSIR, many foundations have been slow to realize that broad change cannot happen without understanding the role that race and racism play in the problems that philanthropists are working to solve. What are your thoughts about how to bridge this gap?

IL: Philanthropy has an incredible opportunity today—as it has for decades—to take on risks, be innovative, and leverage its resources in the most inspiring ways. Unfortunately, many philanthropic leaders take a scarcity mindset and question BIPOC-led movements' efficacy, including donors of color. Now is the time for philanthropy to be bold—to include more diverse experiences and voices while acknowledging the inequities within the space. No winning social movement has ever succeeded without the contributions and support of people of color. In order to bridge the gap, foundations need to make intentional decisions and practices that are more reflective of today's more innovative changemakers. We hope our report inspires more foundations and funders to lean into their curiosity and critically examine their own practices, bring BIPOC voices to the decision-making table, and make serious moves to meaningfully address racial and social justice. We at DOCN are energized by this effort and look forward to taking the Portrait report on a roadshow—to engage a broad cross-section of philanthropic and other sector leaders in testing new models for transforming philanthropy.

PND: Some funders have begun incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statements into their philanthropic processes. What are some specific ways in which the philanthropic sector could be more inclusive of people of color and Indigenous people in their work and giving?

IL: In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, public statements poured in with claims that they stood for equity and justice. Yet, actions speak louder than words. There still remains too wide a disconnect between public statements and public actions. The vast majority of companies and funders are standing on the sidelines and are failing to have their actions meet their words. For example, DOCN launched the Climate Funders Justice Pledge in February 2021, a first-of-its-kind climate justice campaign to shift power and resources towards racial and economic justice by challenging the nation’s top climate funders to commit publicly to greater transparency and to give at least 30 percent of their U.S. climate funding to BIPOC-led, justice-focused groups. After a year of broad outreach, media attention, and conversations with foundation executives, 10 of the top 40 foundations signed on to the pledge. Yet, 30 remain silent. Foundations and companies alike need to start looking at public statements as more than public relations tactics. When it comes to breaking the chains of white supremacy in this country, these sector leaders have so much to learn from BIPOC movements. It’s time to act with real intention, to evaluate and change funding practices, and shift accountability to those more directly impacted by injustice.

PND: Robert Bullard, author of The Complicated History of Environmental Racism, defines environmental racism as “any policy, practice or directive that differently affects or disadvantages (where intended or unintended) individuals, groups or communities based on race.” Do you think philanthropy is doing enough to fund climate justice, and why is it important that philanthropies increase their giving to BIPOC-led environmental justice groups? How are they affecting change?

IL: Philanthropy has failed to adequately fund climate justice and build a winning climate movement. A New School Study found that of the billions awarded to environmental organizations, only 1.3 percent goes to BIPOC-led groups—1.3 percent isn't simply a moral failing; it's an ineffective and losing strategy. We need to have all voices and experiences in the room, particularly those most impacted by climate change and closest to the injustices, to build a winning climate movement.

In fact, BIPOC leaders and organizations are the driving force behind some of the most expansive climate policy in the country—policy that’s critical in tackling climate change. On tackling Big Oil, a recent study from Indigenous Environmental Network and Oil Change International found that fossil fuel resistance work from Indigenous communities disrupted billions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. BIPOC-led organizations have an outsized impact despite little funding. Then there are the New Jersey and California environmental justice laws that preceded Biden's Justice40 initiative or the work to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. BIPOC-led organizations have also paved the way for a more equitable clean energy-driven future.

The New York City Environmental Justice Alliance helped pass two of the state’s landmark environmental justice laws, including NYS CLCPA, the most ambitious emissions-reduction state legislation in the country, and The Climate Mobilization Act, the most aggressive energy efficiency mandate put forth by any city in the nation with a series of climate laws designed to dramatically cut carbon in NYC. These collective wins are why our climate justice campaign aims to shift hundreds of millions of new resources to these groups to build a more effective movement.

PND: In efforts to advance equity in the philanthropic sector, what impact can people of color and Indigenous people in leadership positions have, and what can non-BIPOC-led organizations do to form meaningful allyships?

IL: We need more BIPOC leaders in leadership positions, period. Diversity is a strength, and studies show that more diverse leadership builds stronger, long-lasting organizations. The lived experiences of BIPOC leaders are indispensable to how we approach and solve the complex challenges philanthropy aims to address. If you look at marriage equality as an example. You will see that it was organized funding from LGBTQ-identified leaders, their allies, and their networks that spearheaded and made great strides in shifting the conversation and focus on supporting issues most directly impacting these constituents. There is no difference with racial justice. Those closest to the injustices of any social movement should be in the decision-making rooms, should be respected as leaders, and should receive an equitable share of the resources distributed. Non-BIPOC-led organizations need to go beyond checking off a DEI box when evaluating equity within their organizations and really work intentionally to do things differently than they have done and are doing.

PND: Would you say high-net-worth donors of color have started to put together a framework to support communities targeted by racist and/or misogynist forces nationwide emboldened by the Trump administration? If so, how?

IL: One thing is clear: Racist and misogynist forces that brought the Trump administration into office began their organizing efforts decades ago. When asked, you’ll find that all BIPOC leaders will have personal and first-hand experiences being targeted by these forces. Donors of color have always been at the forefront of what strategies and solutions will uplift their communities in the face of racism and misogyny. Individuals, families, corporate leaders, foundation leaders of color began their impactful leadership before Trump and now need even more support from a broad cross-section of sectors. DOCN was founded with the mission of shifting the center of gravity in philanthropy and politics toward racial equity and justice. We are in the process of building the network. Our members are committed to social change through joy, power, and community. As we build this movement and join with others already under way, yes, we are beginning to lift up frameworks that are grounded in the leadership of BIPOC communities most directly impacted by injustice.

PND: You've created successful strategies and campaigns that have raised over $30 million through engagement with intergenerational, cross-class, and multi-ethnic donors, foundations, and business communities. What patterns and priorities have you found that would best serve as tools to demystify and educate the sector on the issues that mean the most to donors of color that could replicate new funding?

IL: First, the philanthropic sector must take a look in the mirror and be committed to fixing issues internally that they claim to care about fixing out in the world. This work is not easy. But it’s necessary to start with where the heart of your institution’s accountability lives. This means making a significant demonstrated effort to include people of color in all levels of decision making and to check your blind spots and biases at the door. And this means organizing within your own institution first and having tough conversations about biases and what harms have been caused by the sector.

Second, it is important to recognize the vast opportunity and resources that have long existed for foundations and companies to educate themselves; it is simply a lack of will that hinders these powerful decision-makers from achieving a more equitable philanthropic world, not ignorance. Take risks, be generous, think outside the box.

Third, just like any transformative effort—potential power needs bigger and bolder investment. Experiment with ideas that come from BIPOC communities. But, do so with the same investment levels you would to soothe the pains of those closest to you—your families, your communities. Once you put that stake in the ground, remember that it takes time, the ability to make mistakes and some seriously bigger dollars to turn around the legacy of racial, ethnic, and gender injustices that BIPOC communities face today.

—Lauren Brathwaite