FCAA Members See Values Reflected in Philanthropy’s Promise
Funders Concerned About AIDS pursues a mission of making “investments that address the social inequities, health disparities and human rights abuses” related to this global epidemic. The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy shares this dedicated pursuit of equity, inclusion and positive structural change.
Given this resonance, NCRP invites all members of FCAA to join Philanthropy’s Promise. To date, more than 180 foundations have signed on, including FCAA members Levi Strauss Foundation, American Jewish World Service (AJWS), AIDS United, Consumer Health Foundation, H. van Ameringen Foundation, Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Tides, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
To join, each commits to donate:
(1) at least half of their discretionary dollars to serve and empower marginalized or underserved communities, however the foundation defines them (e.g. people with HIV/AIDS, women and girls, people of color, the homeless and rural communities).
(2) at least a quarter of their discretionary dollars to strategies that address root causes of problems and social justice strategies, however the foundation defines them (e.g. advocacy, community organizing, civic engagement, policy and voter registration).
Philanthropy’s Promise signatories also write public statements describing their commitment and how they plan to fulfill their obligation. Ruth W. Messinger, AJWS president and NCRP board member, and Shari Turitz, AJWS vice president for international programs and FCAA board member, explained the organization’s reason for joining in their 1-page document:
“Inspired by the Jewish commitment to justice, [AJWS] works to promote human rights and end poverty in the developing world. AJWS advances the rights of women, girls and LGBTI people; promotes recovery from conflict, disasters and oppression; and defends access to food, land and livelihoods. We pursue lasting change by supporting grassroots and global human rights organizations in Africa, Asia and the Americas and by mobilizing our community in the U.S. to advocate for global justice. Working together, we strive to build a more just and equitable world. … We are proud to be a signatory of Philanthropy’s Promise pledge.”
Daniel Lee, executive director of Levi Strauss Foundation (and a board member of the NCRP, FCAA and Council on Foundations) prepared his organization’s 1-page statement. The foundation commits to continue devoting grantmaking to underserved communities, with a focus on those affected by HIV/AIDS, apparel workers and low-income families. The foundation has also pledged to allocate grantmaking dollars to social justice causes, including for advocacy, organizing, civic engagement, public‐interest litigation and other strategies that promote equity.
Today, of the 1,100 largest foundations in the U.S., the median share of giving to social justice efforts is only 2 percent and to marginalized or underserved communities is only 24 percent. Those who join Philanthropy’s Promise are leading a movement to fund more equity, inclusion and positive structural change. This commitment to social justice philanthropy aligns with the values of FCAA and its members, making signing onto Philanthropy’s Promise a logical choice to demonstrate a public commitment to effecting long-term change. To join Philanthropy’s Promise, foundations simply submit a one-page document about your foundation’s grantmaking, demonstrating your commitment to giving at least half of your giving to marginalized or underserved communities and at least a quarter to social justice strategies.
Or to learn more about why other foundations have joined, go to www.philanthropyspromise.org and click on the names of foundations – including The Levi Strauss Foundation and American Jewish World Service – to read their one-page statements. We’re also available to speak with you about joining this exciting community of funders seeking long-term change.
Christine can be reached at [email protected] .