Hope through disruption in philanthropy

In this article, "Through philanthropy, creating a more just America" Ford Foundation President Darren Walker shares how he sees hope on the horizon as "the beneficiaries of an unequal system are embracing their responsibility to disrupt and reform it." At this moment in our history, Walker explains, it feels like a combination of a pandemic, a great depression, and a civil rights crisis; however, the demonstrations of Americans across the country coming together gives him hope. Also, leaders in the philanthropy space from individuals and foundations are digging into and challenging "prevailing norms to move from generosity to justice."

In lessons we in philanthropy can all learn from, Walker describes how these philanthropists "have set aside their egos, recognized their privileges, and approached their tasks with humility." When all of us in philanthropy, including myself, want to do more we must take this valuable first step - start with the community at the core. He shares specific examples of philanthropists and foundations from Agnes Gund, Reed Hastings, MacKenzie Scott, and a collaborative foundations fund led by the Ford Foundation who have "dug in with the Black and brown communities most proximate to the problems — and dug deep to the root causes of racial inequity."

Funding is a tool to create a more just and equitable world, and by letting go of ego and rebalancing power to communities, I see hope and new opportunities for transformation too.

Microsoft's Community Skills Program

At Microsoft Philanthropies, we’ve recently launched an investment of $15 million over three years in Black- and African-American-led nonprofits that provide digital skills and workforce development programming to the Black and African American community in the United States. Unrestricted cash grants of up to $100,000 per year over three years will be awarded to up to 50 eligible nonprofits. I recognize this is a small part of the long-overdue investment needed to address the historical inequities in our society but know that now is the time to support change. Learn more and apply at aka.ms/community-skills-program. Initial grant applications are due Wednesday, September 30th.