Racial Equity Resource Hub

Philanthropy Southeast is committed to helping its members build a region where all people can participate and prosper. Anti-Black racism, in particular, must be addressed and overcome if we are to realize our goal of an equitable South. The resources on this page can help foundations as they work to end racism in their own communities.

Scroll down for access to Philanthropy Southeast webinars related to racial equity, blog posts and more!

Equity Framework
Member Actions
Books & Media
Tools & Resources
Virtual Opportunities

Equity Framework

The Journey to Our Full Potential

For more than 50 years, Philanthropy Southeast members have powered incredible change in communities throughout the Southeastern region and the U.S. Virgin Islands, improving the lives of countless people.

While this work deserves to be celebrated, we cannot be content with where things stand in our region and in the communities our members serve. Philanthropy Southeast's own research, and that of many others, has revealed the Southeast still suffers from distressing disparities in health, food security, income, education, lifespan, economic stability and other indicators of well-being. The reason for this is clear: Systemic inequity still exists in our region and presents a significant obstacle to philanthropy making a real, lasting impact.

This reality, along with a clear, stated desire from Philanthropy Southeast members for support in addressing the root causes of our challenges, prompted the creation of this Equity Framework. Going forward, Philanthropy Southeast will integrate this framework into our existing programs, benefits and services. It will serve as the foundation for our work going forward and has been designed so that our members can help guide its implementation and evolution while also deciding how it can best support their own organizations and leadership.

The Journey to Our Full Potential

Learn more about Philanthropy Southeast's commitment to equity in the Southeast

View our Equity Framework summary

Our Vision & Our Work Toward Equity

Philanthropy Southeast seeks to inspire and strengthen learning, leadership and actions within Southern philanthropy dedicated to the advancement of equity in our field and region. This Equity Framework is a pivotal part of the journey to our full potential.

We define equity as the full inclusion of all people into a society in which everyone can participate and prosper. In an equitable society, everyone, regardless of the circumstances of birth or upbringing, is treated justly and fairly by its institutions and systems. To promote equity in the South and elsewhere, philanthropy must first acknowledge the historical roots of inequity, particularly caused by racism, and the present-day systems that perpetuate it. It must then use its resources to spark transformation that allows all people to reach their full potential, unhindered by hatred, bigotry, exclusion or discrimination.

Our Work Going Forward: Philanthropy Southeast will deliver the Equity Framework to our members in a number of ways – some shaping our existing work, practices and operations, and others through new offerings that help Southern foundations understand and apply their commitment to equity.

Watch the introduction of the Equity Framework at our 50th Annual Meeting, featuring 2018-19 Board Chair Gilbert Miller, 2020-21 Board Chair Regan Gruber Moffitt and President & CEO Janine Lee

Looking Within Organizational Commitments	Looking Ahead Equity Programming

We invite Philanthropy Southeast's membership to help us guide the future of the Equity Framework and shape how it can best support their organizations.

Member Actions

Many Philanthropy Southeast members have taken steps to acknowledge the role systemic racism plays in preventing people of color, especially Black people, from achieving prosperity. The words and actions of our members are linked here to provide guidance and inspiration to all of Southern philanthropy as we continue to combat racism.

You can also read Philanthropy Southeast's June 2020 statement on racial injustice, A Call to Action for Southern Philanthropy, which calls on foundations to "leverage their reputational capital and convening power to bring people together, bridge divides and ensure this dialogue not only continues, but also results in transformative changes."

Contact us to add your organization’s statement/actions.

Kentucky

Community Foundation of Louisville: Standing Together
Blue Grass Community Foundation: Equity Fund
Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky: Statement on Racism and Health Inequities
The Greater Clark Foundation: Focus on Equity

Louisiana

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation: Choosing the path forward
Louisiana Bar Foundation: Louisiana Bar Foundation Statement on Social Justice

Mississippi

Community Foundation for Mississippi: Statement On Race And Equality

North Carolina

Dogwood Health Trust: Our Commitment to Equity
The Duke Endowment: A Statement from The Duke Endowment on the Recent Protests
Foundation for the Carolinas: Racial Equity, Social Justice and Our Path Forward
Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust: We Support Racial Equity and Justice
Laughing Gull Foundation: LGF Supports Justice for Black Lives
Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation: Our Commitment to Racial Equity
Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation: ZSR Issues Statement and Provides $200,000 to Support Organizations Working in the Areas of Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Accountability, Equity and Transparency

South Carolina

Blackbaud: Equality
Central Carolina Community Foundation: Our Commitment to Building a Better Community
Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina: We will lead and we will act: A letter from CCF CEO Darrin Goss and Board Chairman Paul Kohlheim | ‘I’m not alright,’ a personal reflection on racism and the way forward by CEO Darrin Goss
Community Foundation of Greenville: Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Hollingsworth Funds: A Message from the Hollingsworth Funds Board of Directors and Staff
Jolley Foundation: Black Lives Matter
Mary Black Foundation: We Have the Capacity to Meet this Challenge
Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina: A Call for Justice
The Spartanburg County Foundation: Taking Reflection to Action – a Letter from our President and CEO, Troy Hanna

Tennessee

Benwood Foundation: Benwood's Statement on Racial Justice
Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee: Black Lives Matter | Give Black, Give Back
The Dan & Margaret Maddox Fund: Commitment to Equity | 2020 Anti-Racist Series
East Tennessee Foundation: Hope In Action
The Healing Trust: More Than a Moment: Our Commitment to Change
Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis: Humanity - The Burden Is Ours to Bear

Virginia

Charlottesville Area Community Foundation: Statement on the Murder of Black People | Our Equity Journey
Community Foundation for a greater Richmond: Standing Together
Hampton Roads Community Foundation: Vision, Mission and Values
Obici Healthcare Foundation: We Commit to Advancing Racial Equity
Richmond Memorial Health Foundation: In This Moment- A Note from RMHF’s Board Chair and CEO
Williamsburg Health Foundation: A Historic Call to Health Equity

U.S. Virgin Islands

St. Croix Foundation: Philanthropy & Race in the U.S. Virgin Islands

National

Annie E. Casey Foundation: Our Statement on George Floyd’s Death, Nationwide Protests and the Work Ahead
Casey Family Programs: Casey Family Programs statement on the death of George Floyd
Ford Foundation: George Floyd and America’s Long History of Racial Injustice | A moment of reckoning and reflection in the global fight for racial equality
Goldman Sachs: Making Progress Towards Racial Equity | Goldman Sachs Establishes Fund for Racial Equity
Hill-Snowdon Foundation: Making Black Lives Matter
The Kresge Foundation: A true embrace of racial justice requires historical truth-telling and the removal of racially insensitive symbols | Our Commitment to Dismantling Systemic Barriers | There are many fronts to this fight for racial equity and justice
MacArthur Foundation: Philanthropy, Privilege, and Racial Justice | Philanthropy, Privilege, and Racial Justice: Allyship and Accountability
Marguerite Casey Foundation: Marguerite Casey Foundation Statement on Police Killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade
Network for Good: Going Inward: Moving Beyond the Superficial and the Stagnant
Nord Family Foundation: Statement from Nord Family Foundation on Racial Injustice
W.K. Kellogg Foundation: Standing together for racial equity and community

Books and Media

Philanthropy Southeast Lending Library Selections

The Philanthropy Southeast Lending Library provides members with access to some of the most popular and acclaimed books on racial equity. Current titles available include:


*Just Mercy* by Bryan Stevenson	Slavery by Another Name by Douglas A. Blackmon	*Between the World and Me* by Ta-Nehisi Coates	*White Fragility* by Robin DiAngelo

The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein	How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi	*The New Jim Crow* by Michelle Alexander	*Waking Up White* by Jenny Irving

Visit the Philanthropy Southeast Lending Library on Overdrive now – or click here to learn more!

The Bridge – Philanthropy Southeast's Podcast

Hosted by President & CEO Janine Lee, The Bridge shares stories of the ways foundations are bringing together people in their communities to spark dialogue and lasting change. This offering is one of the first initiatives to come as a result of our Equity Framework. Each episode of The Bridge will focus on a particular program or initiative Philanthropy Southeast members are leading in their communities.

You can listen to recent episodes of The Bridge below – all episodes are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you enjoy the conversations on The Bridge, you may also be interested in other podcasts, including:

The Will to Change
Code Switch
Who Belongs?
On Being
Hidden Brain
Intersectionality Matters!
The Color Line Murders
The Fall Line
The Diversity Gap
Choose Inclusion
Jemele Hill is Unbothered
Seeing White

Films

In recent years, several powerful feature films and documentaries have been released exploring racism and its impact on society. These films may be available on a number of streaming services for rental or purchase.

Slavery by Another Name
13^th
Segregated by Design
Just Mercy
Race: The Power of an Illusion
Unnatural Causes
Banished
Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible
Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity

Tools & Resources

The following list provides a variety of readings and outside groups to help you learn more about issues of racial equity and embed them within your own work and your organization.

Due to the complex intersections between racism and other forms of inequity, we have also included resources and organizations relating to other marginalized or disadvantaged groups. This list will be revised and refreshed as new opportunities become available!

Consultants

A number of consultants work with foundations to help them address diversity, equity and inclusion. We’ve partnered with the National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers to give Philanthropy Southeast members access to their directory – you can access it here! To find consultants with a focus in this area, select "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" under Professional Expertise in the directory’s search form.

Trainings

Putting Racism on the Table | Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers
Building Racial Equity | Race Forward
Undoing Racism | People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB)
White People Confronting Racism | Training for Change
Groundwater | Racial Equity Institute
Leadership for Diversity Institute | National Coalition Building Institute
Implicit Bias Module Series | Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity
Transforming White Privilege: A 21st Century Leadership Capacity | MP Associates
Power Moves | National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy

Philanthropy-Supporting Organizations

The Communications Network DEI Project
Change Philanthropy
D5 Coalition
Change Philanthropy
Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity
Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE)
Funders for LGBTQ Issues
Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP)
Hispanics in Philanthropy
Native Americans in Philanthropy
Women's Funding Network
Neighborhood Funders Group
National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
Grantmakers for Southern Progress

Other Organizations Advancing Equity

PolicyLink
Partnership for Southern Equity
Race Forward
Equity In the Center
Stanford Center on Poverty & Inequality
Urban Institute
Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity
Othering & Belonging Institute
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
The African American Policy Forum
Crossroads

Reports

Philanthropy Southeast collects and curates a growing, searchable library of research reports released by foundations and fellow philanthropic supporting organizations across the country. Click on one of the selected reports below or visit our Resource Library for our full collection of reports on equity in philanthropy.


*Racial Equity Index* PolicyLink	Grantmaking with a Racial Justice Lens: A Practical Guide Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity	*Awake to Woke to Work: Building a Race Equity Culture* Equity in the Center

The Business Case for Racial Equity: A Strategy for Growth W.K. Kellogg Foundation	From Words to Action: A Practical Philanthropic Guide to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion GrantCraft	*What Would It Take to Overcome the Damaging Effects of Structural Racism and Ensure a More Equitable Future?* Urban Institute

Race and Racism: Doing Good Better The Communications Network

Other Resources

The 1619 Project
Charleston Syllabus
Equity Journey Assessment | Change Philanthropy
Race Matters Toolkit
Racial Equity Institute - Bibliography
Racial Equity Tools
Talking About Race | National Museum of African American History and Culture

Virtual Opportunities

Please check back for upcoming opportunities

Webinars

Breaking Through Barriers | December 2018

Being the Change | May 2019

Operational Exceptions that Meet Emergent Needs | April 2020

CDFI 101: Strategies for Catalytic Impact Across the SE | July 2020

CEO Leadership Exchange | August 2020

Racism Has a Cost for Everyone - SECF’s Funder Town Hall on Racial Equity | October 13, 2020

SECF members can login to access other equity-related programming hosted on our Program Archive!

Blog Feed

What's New at the SECF Lending Library

7/7/2021 12:27:00 PM

By Stephen Sherman We’ve recently expanded our Lending Library to include the titles below and much more. SECF members have exclusive access to our virtual collection offering e-books and audiobooks on best practices in philanthropy, advancing equity, and social sector leadership. Visit ... Read More..

Member Highlight: David Lewis

5/27/2021 3:57:00 PM

Leadership development in Southern philanthropy has long been part of SECF’s mission and work, as seen in programs like the CEO Forum and the Hull Fellows program. It made sense, then, to establish a special group dedicated to applying an equity lens to this type of work – that group, the E... Read More..

Member Highlight: David Galvin

5/20/2021 5:20:00 PM

p> SECF’s commitment to equity is about more than the work of our members – it also extends to our own actions and policies. To help ensure SECF lives its values, the Equity Committee recently established an HR Policy Subcommittee focused on the organization’s internal practices. The committe... Read More..

SECF's Next Chapter: A Commitment to Courageous Leadership

4/29/2021 9:27:00 AM

This week, we proudly announced our Courageous Leadership Strategy , a new strategic direction that will guide SECF’s work through 2025. We are incredibly excited to begin this new chapter of SECF’s history – one we believe will be transformative for not just our organization, but also all of So... Read More..

SECF Members on Embedding Racial Equity in Public Policy Work

4/1/2021 11:37:00 AM

Last month, attendees at this year’s Foundations on the Hill had the opportunity to hear from three SECF leaders on how they can incorporate racial equity into their public policy work. Today, we’re excited to offer all our members the opportunity to view this informative and powerful session! ... Read More..

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Equity Committee Roster

Robert Dortch (Chair) | Robins Foundation
Madelyn Adams | Kaiser Permanente
Pete Bird | The Frist Foundation
Kweku Forstall | The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Kaki Friskics-Warren | The Dan and Margaret Maddox Fund
Laura Gerald | Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust
Jerry Gonzalez | Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
Darrin Goss | Coastal Community Foundation
Mo Green | Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation
Eric M. Kelly | Quantum Foundation
Gilbert Miller | Bradley-Turner Foundation, Inc.
Regan Gruber Moffitt | Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Barbara Roole | Jessie Ball duPont Fund
Mason Rummel | James Graham Brown Foundation
Mike Sweeney | Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Janine Lee (Staff) | Southeastern Council of Foundations

Equity Hub