Funding racial justice: resources for Trusts and Foundations
At Lucent we are working alongside organisations to help them go deeper and think about the wider transformation that is required to address different forms of bias and discrimination and to promote progress on equality.
As part of this work we have been reflecting on the next steps that Trusts and Foundations need to take to identify underlying assumptions and biases and to drive forward action on racial justice and equality.
In the last two years there has been a surge in funding aimed at Black and Ethnic Minority organisations. Funders have been challenged to think harder about power, equity and racial justice with many facing uncomfortable questions about their history and current practice. It’s now expected that progressive, intelligent funders think critically about power and equity and it’s been argued that those who don’t will face tougher times ahead.
If you want to access reading, resources and reports, the following will point you in the right direction:
The Booska Paper by Ubele makes a powerful case for the change in structures and systems needed.
A Better Normal by Baobab sets out principles that support anti-racism and Digging Deeper provides insight into how tailored funding provided through the pandemic has worked, while the Funders for Race Equality have produced this quantitative analysis.
The statement by Future Foundations UK is also a very good overview of the issues facing the sector and has a useful reading and resource list.
And for inspiration, there are exciting developments in funding in the form of the Association of Charitable Funders DEI coalition, Baobab Foundation, Resourcing Racial Justice and the Global Majority Fund, to name a few.
Let us know how we can help by writing to us at hello@lucentconsultancy.co.uk.