ABPC co-hosts four-part speaker series examining equity in philanthropy

Two of the largest funder collaborative tables in Arkansas – the Arkansas Black Philanthropy Collaborative and Arkansas Impact Philanthropy – have embraced a shared commitment to work for systemic change in philanthropy through highlighting specific actions that push us to educate ourselves, center the voice of grantees, and fund communities of color with intention.

As a tangible step in fulfilling our vision, ABPC and AIP co-hosted a joint Equity in Philanthropy speaker series in early 2022 to address internal biases and structures that often exist within philanthropic organizations. Representatives from various Arkansas philanthropic organizations and nonprofits gathered virtually to attend four sessions that aimed to achieve these objectives:

• Provide more information about internal diversity, equity, and inclusion practices happening within philanthropic organizations;

• Address barriers within philanthropy that disenfranchise nonprofits led by people of color and those serving historically marginalized racial and ethnic communities; and

• Examine inequitable systemic practices that impact how funders distribute grants and to whom.

The Equity in Philanthropy series recordings are linked below (session one was not recorded):

• Session Two: Internal Foundation Policies and Procedures featuring

  • Tamika Edwards, Southwest Power Pool

  • David Lewis, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation

  • Tanya Odom, Walton Family Foundation

• Session Three: Strategic Board Development featuring

  • Dr. Kevin Dean, Momentum Nonprofit Partners

  • Reverend Shantell Hinton Hill, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation

  • Dr. Charlotte Parham, University of Central Arkansas

• Session Four: Putting Philanthropy Into Practice, featuring

  • Janine Lee, Philanthropy Southeast

  • Regan Gruber Moffitt, St. David’s Foundation

ABPC would like to thank each of our panelists for offering their time and expertise toward this important conversion. We hope you will find this series inspiring and informative as you consider, or continue, your own equity journey both individually and within your organization.