While philanthropic pluralism sounds like a benign and worthy goal, an op-ed by several philanthropic leaders last year gave many of us cause for concern. Adding to a range of critics, PRE joined our partners at CHANGE Philanthropy cautioning that the call for pluralism in philanthropy as stated was a diversion and risked undermining or chilling rightful calls for greater racial and social justice and the investments needed to advance those goals. We’re increasingly hearing this call & related fears of polarization lifted up directly in contrast to approaches that support those most impacted to build power & frame their own solutions.
We know some well-intended funders & allies are among those leading the charge, but hoping they can hear & not simply dismiss the informed critiques of many. (& yes, the irony of calling for pluralism & yet minimizing the voices of those who are expressing doubts/fears as overreacting or foolish is kind of classic arrogance of those less threatened by the status quo or rollback of justice.)
Next week, I will join a panel with authors and other leaders in the sector as we seek to deepen the debate & discussion as part of the Urban Institute’s Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy and the Chronicle of Philanthropy for the 2024 Giving Innovation Summit on April 29th at 2-3:30 EST.
We recognize the relationship of this conversation to PRE’s recent op-ed, which addressed how the danger of both accommodationist practices and misuse of terms can fuel efforts to squelch dissent or challenges to the status quo – while under the guise of seeming to call for higher principles.
See added details & registration below-
Join the Urban Institute’s Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy and the Chronicle for our next online forum, The Place of Pluralism in Charitable Giving, on Monday, April 29th from 2-3:30 p.m. ET.
We’ll gather the leading figures in charitable giving and philanthropy to ask what role pluralism does and should play in the sector, a key theme of #TheCommons, the Chronicle’s new section focused on how nonprofits and foundations can best heal the nation’s divides.
Our speakers include Aisha Alexander-Young, Sam Gill, Brian Hooks, Stacy Palmer, Hilary Pennington, Benjamin Soskis, Tene Traylor, Lori Villarosa.
Register today! ?? https://bit.ly/3wfArUH
