The Race and Equity in Philanthropy Group (REPG), a peer-learning network of foundations whose members are committed to advancing racial equity internally and externally, has published an open letter addressing the need for a systemic movement toward power sharing in philanthropy. 

The letter stated that the need for discussions about race and equity that began in 2020 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and the national racial reckoning should advance into evolving grantmaking and internal practices that prioritize trust-based philanthropy and participatory grantmaking. To that end, REPG is developing a framework to help the sector understand the range of ways philanthropy can share power, define power-sharing practices, and enable foundations to assess progress. In June, the group published the first volume (8 pages, PDF) of its findings and plans to publish a second volume next year. 

“Philanthropy has an opportunity to be a leader in engaging in these types of conversations and reflections on the history of the philanthropic field in a productive way. Without these conversations, despite stated goals to reduce inequities and improve society, philanthropy will continue to perpetuate systems of injustice,” the letter states. “We must confront these issues and not only engage in a radical reimagination of philanthropy in a theoretical and conceptual way but ultimately develop appropriate policies and practices.” 

The letter was signed by Tina Eshaghpour of the California Wellness Foundation; Brandi Howard of the East Bay Community Foundation; Chris Cardona, formerly of the Ford Foundation; Shanice London of the Ford Foundation; Amy Saxton and Landon Dickey of the James Irvine Foundation; Fred Blackwell of the San Francisco Foundation; and Cory Anderson of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/pixelfit)