lguinee's blog
Social Justice Philanthropy: An Initial Framework for Positioning This Work
Submitted by lguinee on Mon, 05/10/2010 - 11:25A paper by Albert Ruesga and Deborah Puntenney discussing eight different (and overlapping) traditions of social justice on which philanthropic practitioners base their practice.
Values and Practices That Are Important for Good Social Justice Grantmaking
Submitted by lguinee on Mon, 05/10/2010 - 11:20In early 2010, the Working Group on Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace took an unapologetically normative approach to the question, "What is good social justice philanthropy?" Here we Take a stab at describing the values and practices we believe are imperative for social justice grantmaking. Our aim was not to cut off debate but to encourage it, to create a space in which our differences can be aired and we can all find ways to improve our work. In retrospect, we will be developing a description both of the aspirational values and practices underpinning social justice philanthropy - and what we believe are the non-negotiables.
Take a look. What do you think?
March PSJP Newsletter
Submitted by lguinee on Tue, 03/26/2013 - 08:55Please find a link here to our March 2013 PSJP Newsletter. Enjoy!
As the South Goes - Research on Social Justice Philanthropy in the US South
Submitted by lguinee on Fri, 03/15/2013 - 14:50Grantmakers for Southern Progress (GSP) has just released "As the South Goes: Philanthropy and Social Justice in the US South" – a research project on the landscape of social justice philanthropy in the US South. The study involved interviews with over 75 national, regional, and local funders (some who self-identify as social justice funders, some who do not), and it offers critical reflection on how to advance stronger communication and collaboration among funders within the South and between Southern and national funders in support of social justice work.
The study reveals fascinating challenges regarding how national and Southern funders talk about the work of social justice. (See the short companion report -- Words Matter: Language and Social Justice Funding in the US South.) It also explores the knotty issue that despite real common ground on interests, sometimes narrow views of what makes for social justice strategies can get in the way of collaboration. In addition, the study provides an analysis of why some funders prioritize investment in the South and why others do not. Key takeaways are:
Stories from PSJP: The Dalit Foundation, India
Submitted by lguinee on Tue, 09/11/2012 - 12:16We have witnessed better results when a social justice and peace lens and approach is used by philanthropy. It enables a focus on root causes and mechanisms that perpetuate injustice as opposed to just alleviating the effects of unjust treatment. However, there remain many questions to be answered about the practice of philanthropy for social justice and peace (PSJP). What is it? How is it done? What difference does it make?…The answers are there. There are great examples across the globe of effective social justice grantmaking, of why this approach is necessary and the change that it brings about. In an attempt to learn more about PSJP so that we can improve our own grantmaking practices and to help change the discourse and direction of mainstream organised philanthropy to one that puts social justice and peace at its core, we will bring you stories that define PSJP and all its elements.
Here is one story of a courageous foundation and its approach to a persistent and deep-rooted issue that has plagued Indian society for over 2000 years:
The Dalit Foundation, New Delhi, India
Written by Max Niedzwiecki (2009), updated by Andrew Milner (2012)
The Case for Using a Social Justice Lens in Grantmaking
Submitted by lguinee on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 21:11Michael Seltzer makes 'THE CASE FOR USING A SOCIAL JUSTICE LENS IN GRANTMAKING' in the first issue of the professional journal for grant mangers - GMNSight of the Grants Managers Network.
Powerpoints from Movements for Economic Justice at the EFC
Submitted by lguinee on Tue, 07/10/2012 - 08:44Attached are the powerpoints used by John Christensen and Niall Crowley at the EFC session the Working Group on Philanthroy for Social Justice and Peace organized to talk about movements for Economic Justice.
Content from "Risky Business" at the EFC
Submitted by lguinee on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 10:32We thought you'd appreciate some of the content from the Risky Business session, which we helped organize for the EFC conference in Belfast in June. Here is a link to the Prezi file with the results of a survey conducted by Barry Knight and Selim Iltus looking at risk-taking by European Foundations. As well,you'll find a few documents attached - a list of resources and emergency contact information (if you find yourself wanting to discuss taking a risk), a list of top foundation excuses for when things go wrong, and a list of quotes about risk. Please let us know what you think!
Community Philanthropy with a Social Justice Approach
Submitted by lguinee on Tue, 05/22/2012 - 07:04New article in the Global Fund for Community Foundations newsletter by Chandrika Sahai, the Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace Network Coordinator. You can read it here.
Risky Business
Submitted by lguinee on Sun, 05/20/2012 - 06:32We are co-sponsoring a session on risk in foundations on Wednesday, 6 June, 14:30-16:30PM at the EFC Conference. Who talks about risk in your foundation, and is it ever discussed outside of the investment team? This session will discuss what risks are inherent to philanthropic work, which risks are worth the consequences of failure, and will encourage you to think about your own organisation’s appetite for risk.
This interactive session will ensure that everyone has a voice.
We hope you'll join us!
