In philanthropy, power shows up in many ways, from the board room to conversations with grant partners and community members. Yet, many funders don’t acknowledge the reality of power. Why? And why does it matter?
In “How Grantmakers Can Use Power Mindfully to Advance Equity,” Lisa Ranghelli, senior director of foundation assessment and special projects at NCRP, identifies the 3 most comment reasons why funders don’t directly wrestle with power as: Insufficient institutional buy-in; ongoing or pending diversity, equity and inclusion efforts; and fear of taking risks.
She notes why it’s important for funders to leverage their power – instead of run away from it – to advancing equity and justice.
“We all engage in power dynamics all the time, whether or not we are aware or acknowledge it. We may unconsciously enable power for some and disable power for others, causing harm or missing opportunities to use power for good. It’s time for us to meditate on power so that we can be more conscious about how each of us manifests it – to notice who benefits and toward what end. In doing so, the obstacles to using it effectively will become surmountable and inspire mindful action.”
– Lisa Ranghelli
NCRP
How Grantmakers Can Use Power Mindfully to Advance Equity
SSIR Blog
“How Grantmakers Can Use Power Mindfully to Advance Equity” is part of the new Power in Philanthropy series on the Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) blog in collaboration with NCRP.
Contributors from NCRP and nonprofit and philanthropic leaders explore popular concepts in philanthropy – such as risk, capacity building and public leadership – through the lens of power and equitable outcomes.
Power in Philanthropy is based on NCRP’s “Power Moves: Your essential philanthropy assessment guide for equity and justice.”
Related articles:
Power, Privilege, and Effectiveness: Are Funders Connecting the Dots?
by Kathleen Enright, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
The Power of Families: From Poverty to Agency to Unity
by Luz Vega-Marquis, Marguerite Casey Foundation
Philanthropy’s Ultimate Power-Sharing Opportunity: Governance
by Jim Canales and Barbara Hostetter, Barr Foundation
Philanthropic Leadership Means Following the Frontlines
by Alison Corwin, Surdna Foundation
Wielding Philanthropic Leadership With, Not For
by Grant Oliphant, The Heinz Endowments
Family foundations benefit from diverse boards
by Ruth Cummings and Sharon Alpert, Nathan Cummings Foundation
How can grantmakers be accountable when they have little oversight?
by Judy Belk, The California Wellness Foundation
What shifting power in philanthropy looks like from a community’s perspective
by Linda S. Campbell, Building Project Movement
Visit Power in Philanthropy on SSIR
Yna C. Moore is senior director of communications of NCRP. Follow @ynamoore and @ncrp on Twitter. Join the conversation on #PowerMovesEquity.
Leave a Reply