Continuing the Work: Grantmaking with an Equity Lens
Earlier this year a vibrant group of funders gathered in Eugene, Oregon for Philanthropy Northwest’s Grantmaking with an Equity Lens (GEL) workshop. Hosted by the Upper Willamette Soil & Water Conservation District in Lane County (Eugene area), this workshop welcomed government funders, community foundations and private foundations, bringing together an array of grantmakers from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
If you have never heard of our Grantmaking with an Equity Lens program before, it is an interactive workshop that allows funders to slow down, reflect and consider their workflow and how to facilitate a more equitable and impactful grantmaking process. Through the workshop, participants gain an understanding of racial equity and intersectional identities in the context of philanthropy, identify concrete ways to apply an equity lens to their grantmaking strategies, and leave with skills and tools to make an impact for their organizations and grantees.
With a mix of mid-to senior-level foundation staff and board members in attendance, the room buzzed with curiosity, thoughtful dialogue and a shared commitment to fostering more equitable and inclusive funding practices.
This GEL workshop couldn’t have come at a more important time. While Philanthropy Northwest has been offering this workshop for years, the current context of advancing equity in philanthropy made this training particularly timely. As equity work continues to be challenged in today’s climate, funders used this opportunity to pause, reflect and engage deeply in how they can shape their grantmaking processes to better serve communities.
Participants acknowledged how nice it was to be around other funders who were in the same situations as them and how the training made it feel possible to continue pursuing equity work despite the current climate.
We all have constraints in terms of our roles and organizational purview, but we have agency as individuals to influence processes and try to live in to our values.
GEL Participant
The workshop encouraged each participant to focus on their individual roles and agency in embedding equity into their work, creating a powerful space for learning and growth. “One thing that I think will stick with me after today is acknowledging that we all have constraints in terms of our roles and organizational purview, but we have agency as individuals to influence processes and try to live in to our values” one attendee noted after the finishing the workshop.
Throughout the day funders also acknowledged that sometimes there are simple solutions that can both advance equity and reduce burdens for applicants and grantmakers alike. These solutions can be found through improved communication and increased transparency.
Amazing people in the room doing this work. So many great, actionable ideas that we can implement almost immediately.
GEL Participant
We had a great time in Eugene working with such a unique cross section of funder types and roles – all committed to advancing equity in the region. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us and look forward to continuing these conversations this year.
If you are interested in learning more about our Grantmaking with an Equity Lens workshop or bringing the training to your organization, please reach out to JulieAnne Behar.
