‘Giving projects: cultivating people of color as fundraisers and donors’
Across the U.S., community foundations have started a new movement to build power and capacity for philanthropic leadership among people of color. Community foundations, particularly those with an overt commitment to racial justice, are launching Giving Projects that position people of color as fundraisers for and donors to social justice work. The Headwaters Foundation for Justice believes that foundations who use a racial justice lens in their grantmaking should also use a racial justice lens in their hiring and recruitment, as well as in their grantmaking and fundraising practices. The research explores the following questions:
- How does the Giving Project model and experience impact how people of color see themselves as philanthropists?
- How might race and class factor into their philanthropy, as well as beliefs and attitudes about fundraising and giving?
- What attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, and values did the participants hold in common?
This report summarizes the preliminary findings and identifies areas for further exploration. It serves as a resource to foundations involved in Giving Projects, as well as for those considering how race and class impact donors of color and their giving habits.
Authors: Allison Johnson Heist, Headwaters Foundation for Justice
Published by: Headwaters Foundation for Justice
Published: August 2017
Download ‘Giving projects: cultivating people of color as fundraisers and donors’