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Want the magic secret to shifting power in grantmaking? Humility is step one. And steps two through 2000.
A lot of waste and missed opportunities happen when funders misunderstand context or local needs. Traditional methods of philanthropy often lean on inherently racist, colonial systems, which assume that grantmakers are the experts. And beyond reinforcing harmful power dynamics, this lack of humility gets in the way of real impact.
So what can you (and me and pretty much everyone in philanthropy) do about it? You could start by recognizing your own biases and position of power as a person with resources. Next, you should get comfortable with sitting back and listening, letting a local community lead the conversation. If that sounds overwhelming, we get it! But we believe in you. Let’s tap into the curiosity that brought you to grantmaking in the first place, and begin there.
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