Anti-Racism, Fundraising and the 2024 Election

–By Maia McGill, Founder and CEO, Inclusive Philanthropy Institute

As the November election date draws near, we find ourselves at yet another pivotal juncture in history: an intersection of political, economic and societal challenges coinciding with a burgeoning need for a paradigm shift toward anti-racism in all facets of society – including fundraising and philanthropy.

The political circus that we have been watching unfold and the vitriol we have heard over the last few weeks have proven that we have been merely treating the symptoms of systemic racism and not addressing the root causes.

At the height of the pandemic in 2020, both the philanthropic and fundraising sectors were called upon to address issues of racial inequality and social justice, spurring a significant movement toward anti-racism in fundraising and philanthropy. Today's need for a complete paradigm shift?is both a reflection of 2020 and a response to the current 2024 election climate.

I am not blind to the fact that a paradigm shift toward anti-racist fundraising amid an election season as charged as this presents significant challenges. The political bans, misconceptions and misinformation around “woke” culture and diversity, equity and inclusion have made it challenging for institutions and organizations to navigate the biased divides while trying to ensure that what they deem as change aren’t at risk of being seen as performative action. However, these challenges present opportunities for prioritizing sustainable solutions and fostering innovation:

Transition from staging interventions to pursuing innovations

For far too long, many organizations and institutions have been treating the symptoms of systemic racism rather than addressing the root causes. This means that we must first change our mindset and practice as an organization. This then allows us to articulate to donors the initiatives that challenge and dismantle oppressive structures, rather than providing temporary relief.

Moving away from the top-down approach

The second step in the paradigm shift involves community collaboration and moving away from the top-down approach that many of our institutions and organizations are implementing today. It is imperative that we center our work on the voices and experiences of the communities being affected. We must move away from creating and implementing programming or initiatives FOR our communities, and move toward creating and implementing WITH them. Anti-racist fundraising requires centering the voices and experiences of the communities most affected by racial injustice.

Prioritizing sustainable, long-term solutions

The third step is discontinuing the short-term fixes that we have become used to implementing through fundraising and philanthropy. Traditional fundraising efforts often emphasize immediate results, which can lead to a cycle of temporary solutions that fail to produce lasting change. Instead, focus on sustainable, long-term solutions that promote and support racial equity.

Embracing multi-dimensional, data-driven approaches

The final step in this paradigm shift is embracing multi-dimensional, data-driven approaches that facilitate social impact in anti-racism efforts. Data-driven strategies enable organizations to measure impact, identify gaps and adjust initiatives to better meet the needs of socially, culturally and economically diverse communities.

By integrating both qualitative and quantitative data, organizations and institutions can develop a more nuanced understanding of the challenges they aim to address. This approach allows for the integration of inclusive fundraising, ultimately facilitating greater social impact.

As racial and social justice is magnified during this election cycle, organizations and institutions have a critical role in advancing the anti-racist paradigm shift. Its time for substantive change.

The experts at the Inclusive Philanthropy Institute are available to assist your organization as you develop an anti-racist fundraising strategy that works WITH the community you serve. Email maia@inclusivephilanthropy.org to set up a consultation today.