Within the philanthropic sector, the topic of making reparations to Black and Indigenous communities is moving from being an idea to becoming a practice. Understanding that much of the wealth accumulated by foundations came as a result of exploitative and/or extractive practices against Black and Indigenous communities, efforts are being discussed to make restitutions to these groups. Join us for this important Philanthropy Northwest Network call to hear from two communities of practice who are moving from dissecting the subject of reparations in philanthropy to putting programs in place to make reparations a reality. 

During this conversation, Edgar Villanueva, author of "Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance," will discuss how he has taken the conversation of philanthropic reparations into practice in his own organization and is calling on others in the sector to do the same. We will also hear from Eileen Briggs, grantmaking director at the Bush Foundation, about her organization's $150 million investment that is going directly to reparations-focused programs in Black and Native communities in their region (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations that share that geography). 

Speakers

Edgar Villanueva, Principal of Decolonizing Wealth Project and Liberated Capital, Author of "Decolonizing Wealth"

Edgar Villanueva is an award-winning author, activist and expert on issues of race, wealth and philanthropy. Edgar is the principal of Decolonizing Wealth Project and Liberated Capital and author of the bestselling book "Decolonizing Wealth." He advises a range of organizations including national and global philanthropies, Fortune 500 companies and entertainment on social impact strategies to advance racial equity from within and through their investment strategies. Edgar holds a bachelor's degree in public health and a master's degree in health administration from the Gillings Global School of Public Health at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe and resides in New York City.

 

Eileen Briggs, Grantmaking Director, Bush Foundation

Eileen is a grantmaking director at the Bush Foundation and focuses on Native American communities across all their programs. She provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for the foundation's grant programs and is active in community conversations to understand how we can spread great ideas and have the most impact possible. Eileen also leads the foundation’s Native Nation Building and Government Redesign initiative, which focuses on supporting Native self-determination and helping governments solve problems by better understanding and designing for the people they serve.
 

Eileen is a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe with 20 years of experience in tribal government, tribal colleges and Native nonprofits. Bringing her lived experience of rural and native communities into philanthropy fuels her commitment to the work of the Bush Foundation. She is a Bush Fellow, Rebuilder and Leadership South Dakota alumna and currently serves as vice president of the Minneapolis American Indian Center. Eileen holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota and her primary home is on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in South Dakota. 

Eligibility 

Participation in this meeting is open to philanthropic organizations that currently make grants. This includes corporate giving offices, private and public foundations, community foundations, government grantmakers and CDFI institutions with a philanthropic focus. You do not need to be a Philanthropy Northwest member to participate, but do need to represent an organizational philanthropic institution. Please do not join this call if you are a nonprofit organization. If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact Nancy Sanabria.