PSOs’ Role in Advancing Racial Equity: What’s Happening & What’s Next David Maurrasse, Ph.D., Founder & President, Marga Incorporated Tamara Copeland, President & CEO, Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers (@WRAGPrez)

Forum’s 2018 Racial Equity Scan Report Racial Equity and Philanthropy-Serving Organizations (PSOs) What: Conduct racial equity scan on Forum’s diverse network of PSOs Goal: Gain insights into racial equity work of Forum’s members and other PSOs Purpose: Guide Forum’s work in helping members address racial equity in their own organizations and with members

The Respondents Scan reflects input of 43 regional & national PSOs (25 regional PSOs; 18 national PSOs). 53% response rate from Forum’s members 20% response rate from non-member PSOs Nearly all survey respondents asked to be interviewed Add’l interviews with 5 national PSOs where racial equity is core to mission

Why PSOs Initiated Racial Equity Work? Key drivers and catalysts Recent uprising and the aftermath of shooting of unarmed Black men & boys The 2016 election Following the trend: Racial equity increasingly discussed in philanthropy Who initiated the programming? PSO staff (in most cases) PSO members (in some instances)

Survey Responses: Key Themes & Highlights Activity within the membership 43% define their work as “just beginning”; 51% have been working on it for a longer time 43% define work in racial equity frame; 35% in DEI frame Over 170 speakers and trainers identified: Could help PSOs help their members make progress Resources utilized by various PSOs come from other PSOs further along in their work

Survey Responses: Key Themes & Highlights Work underway Programming: A key entry point for many PSOs 38% have board committee/task force/advisory group on racial equity or DEI 32% have strategies or strategic framework to guide their work 30% have peer learning groups for their members

Survey Responses: Key Themes & Highlights What facilitates progress Building a shared language & point of view between staff, board, and members Helpful to start work with structural racism Can’t “rush” staff, board members to a place where they are not Make racial equity relevant to members’ priorities

Survey Responses: Key Themes & Highlights PSOs’ biggest gaps & needs to advance racial equity Need for guiding frameworks and professional development on internal practices and with members on racial equity Need for additional financial resources to support racial equity work Need for further engagement with board members Need for a stronger power analysis, especially around boards and investments

Additional Insights PSOs eager to continue or start the work. Less diverse foundations are a bit more hesitant (difficulty with the board, sensitivity with the terminology, struggle with the starting point, etc.) “Committed cluster” phenomenon: Even among seasoned practitioners of racial equity programming, greatest dedication rests with a highly committed cluster – how to move beyond them? Case studies: Nearly all respondents alluded to a request for PSO case studies or conversations with experienced funders, particularly on how to ‘influence up’ to level of trustees and presidents

Recommendations Develop resource directory of racial equity resources Establish peer-learning spaces for members Provide opportunities for Forum members deeply engaged in racial equity work to showcase their efforts Work with existing consultants/trainers/speakers to develop customized technical assistance for PSOs Continue to emphasize racial equity at Forum conferences Build capacity for PSOs to engage their boards Leverage use of webinars Develop case studies Develop longer range format to define and refine Forum’s leadership on racial equity

Forum Report Now Available Advancing Racial Equity in Philanthropy: A Scan of Philanthropy-Serving Organizations Access on the conference app Access on Forum’s website at: www.unitedphilforum.org/racialequityscan

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