Dear Reader,
The world needs courageous truth tellers, now more than ever.
As I write this, the current administration has been lying to the American people about events in my home state of Minnesota. But their lies aren’t working. There are too many truth tellers out there, standing up to state-sponsored violence and oppression. Some of the community pushback has been helped along by nonprofits and the donors and foundations that support them.
This special issue of Responsive Philanthropy celebrates 50 years of NCRP being a courageous truth-telling organization. We’ve been holding up a mirror to philanthropy for 5 decades and helping give voice to people and communities who have been oppressed and marginalized in our society. The issue includes the following:
- Dr. Dwayne Proctor shares his personal story in philanthropy and the way his family’s legacy is intertwined with NCRP’s mission.
- Javier Alberto Soto reflects on NCRP’s 1993 critique of The Denver Foundation’s lack of commitment to diversity and what the foundation has done to address this, both in its work and internally on its board and with its staff.
- Tracy Gary reflects on NCRP’s legacy and shares personal stories of how Bob Bothwell, NCRP’s first executive director, inspired her own work in the sector, particularly in women’s funding.
- Jeanné Lewis writes about NCRP’s legacy as a thought leader pushing the field and challenges funders not to overlook the importance of faith in driving progressive change.
- Suhasini Yeeda shares the history of our Responsive Philanthropy journal and notes how important storytelling is for creating impact.
NCRP is only as strong as our community. Thank you for the role you have played over the past 50 years helping ensure that philanthropy is responsive and accountable. In the coming years, let’s work together to create a future where philanthropy is a means to truly share wealth and power. When we do that, we can build the more equitable, just and democratic society we all deserve.
In partnership,
Aaron Dorfman
